These are worth trying. I have already found times when I have gone straight to Wolfram|Alpha as my first port of call.
WOLFRAM|ALPHA
This is an “answer engine” that was launched on 15 May 2009. It mines factual databases to provide comprehensive data of the type in an almanac or ready reference collection.
It is especially suited to mathematical calculations, especially complicated equations. Once you work out the best way to ask it questions - and it can take a bit of experimentation - it is useful for all sorts of queries. You can check the source information by clicking a link at the bottom.
Searches to try: population of australia , time in new zealand, when was Murdoch University established?
Screencast introducing Wolfram|Alpha: http://www16.wolframalpha.com/screencast/introducingwolframalpha.html
GOOGLE WONDER WHEEL AND FACETS
Google is experimenting with faceted results and graphic display. To see what they are doing:
1. Go to google.com
2. Cut and paste this into your browser address bar. It tells google that you want to be part of the trial.
javascript:void(document.cookie=”PREF=ID=4a609673baf685b5:TB=2:LD=en:CR=2:TM=1227543998:LM=1233568652:DV=AA:GM=1:IG=3:S=yFGqYec2D7L0wgxW;path=/; domain=.google.com”);
3. Look for “show options” when you do your search:
4. Click on “show options” and check out the facets and wonderwheel.
Screencast introducing the wonderwheel and other experiments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDnmQ9Mmj1Q
