On May 15, the website for a new “computational knowledge engine” called Wolfram Alpha was launched. With a user interface similar to Google’s, the new website answers factual questions by computing answers using a knowledge database of structured data. This type on answer engine is different from a search engine like Google, which performs a semantic search by indexing a large number of answers and then narrowing down to the best answer.

Wolfram Alpha is built on Mathematica software and is particularly well suited for answering mathematical questions. The site also has a natural language interface, meaning it will interpret any text strings and attempt to deliver related data. For example, entering the name of a city or town will show its population, location, current time and temperature and other data such as neighboring communities.

The site is in its early stages (as evidenced by the name ‘Alpha’) and time will tell it points the way to the next generation of information engine for the Web.