The Visupedia Project

Why?

Help web publishers visualize concepts.

How?

A repository and a service. The repository is a constantly expanding visual Wikipedia, where user upload their images (photos, infographics, videos, etc.) that explain or demonstrate concepts visually. Website publishers can use the service. All they have to do is include a simple code on their site, and every word that can be visually enhanced gets linked to the right visual aid. The user just has to hover over the word to see the visual.

 

Better Control of How Search Results Are Optimized for You

Why?

For many of the things you search the web for, search engines will have an algorithm to show you what they think are the best results for you. Some try to deduct from information they have on your behavior (search history, clicks, etc.), what would be personally best for you. They also offer some simple options for more advanced search, like similarity or boolean operators. Wouldn’t you like more control in an easier way for better results?

How?

Allow the user more control over what he thinks is best. Allow him to say “I put more weight on anything by or connected to the following people when you are returning results for this search,” or “don’t show me anything that relates to an individual concept or a subject.” All of these options should not rely on me deciding what keywords are relevant or not, but more on a conceptual level. The algorithm should be able to deduce in a useful way what belongs to these concepts, people, situations, etc., without you having to “spell it out.”