So Many Smart Answers, So Little Time

Things have been busy around here at Ask Jeeves. We've been quietly upgrading our Smart Answer platform and have managed to really crank out a ton of useful feature additions around popular search requests. For those of you who don't know what Smart Answers are, in a nutshell: they are contextual search units that provide users with direct access to relevant information, search features & deep-linked web resources. I believe the technical term for this product is "neat-o" or a variation on the theme...

I was supposed to list out a few example search terms to illustrate the new types of Smart Answers that we've deployed but I think that's kind of boring so instead -- here's a few topical paragraphs that should have the same effect.

Ahem...here we go:

I wonder why they chose Dave Navarro to be the host of Rock Star INXS... I mean he's not even from Australia, he was born in Santa Monica... And how does he get up on that platform so quickly after Brooke Burke introduces the band? Does he leap up like some kind of monkey or kangaroo?

Some people would much rather watch a new season of The OC than watch or even visit Laguna Beach. Others - not so much. I wonder if they could ever get people to watch a show set in the capital of Idaho...

Fact: People more commonly search for cookie and cake recipes instead of healthy or low-carb recipes. Even with all of the emphasis on nutrition and the unveiling of the new food pyramid this year? Discuss.

I was proud that I just got done reading 0439784549 so quickly until I realized it was a book for children... then I felt sad.

It's official. Planets are cool. I mean, take Mars for example. It's a good distance from the sun so it's bound to be chilly there.

San Andreas on PS2 is a bit more popular than Halo 2 on XBox.

I am not sure I get the NASCAR phenomenon, but I sure do like the name Subway 500.

It's probably not an unfair stereotype to say that people who live in the 310 and the 213 like to give people who live in the 818 a hard time socially...

Periodic Table. Remember that? No? Come on. Quick! Is there such a thing as Californium? Hmm? The atomic symbol for Krypton is..... Too slow! Here's the last one, it's simple - the atomic number of Thulium... You're not even trying are you?

A good question that probably has a boring answer: How can the most wealthy country in the world have such a huge deficit?

If you don't like today's horoscope - look at yesterday's or tomorrow's and go with what works... if you dare. Just don't try this with your couple's love horoscope. You can get really screwed up that way.

Rating These United States

Best Mottos: Rhode Island loses out to New Hampshire

Best Flower: New Mexico Worst Flower: Montana

Coolest Looking Flag: Arizona

Most Obvious State Song Choice: Oklahoma

Steve Orr

Knowledge Engineering Manager

A New Smart Answer cheat sheet for those of you who are opposed to hyperlinks:

World Nations: Quick Facts

US States: Quick Facts

Mammals: You know, not humans though our Famous People units cover them

Popular TV Shows information

Famous People: Music profiles

Video Games: All major titles plus platform

NASCAR: Races & Drivers

ISBN Search

Periodic Table of Elements

US Area Code lookup

Planets: Quick Facts

Special Search Toolbar feature support