Puzzlepieces

MSN Search technology preview - two days ago I was perusing my aggregator when I came across an article about MSN Search (a common occurence), but on one of the feeds about the University of Waterloo (where I am; not a common occurence). So tonight I attended the MSN Search session and it was definitely interesting. Seeing people in person talk about the subject I deal with every day was a first for me.

The actual talk was fairly basic, but that's probably because I'm guessing most of the attendees (all students) were interested in computer science generally, rather than search specifically. I was highly amused when they took a show of hands for faculties. I would estimate 60% engineering students, 40% math (including computer science) students, plus me (science). That got a few chuckles.

The only question I got in in the Q/A session was asking if the supposed 5-billion-page-index was before or after removal of spam and duplicates, the answer being halfway between the two. I missed my chance to ask about search results in RSS format, but Oshoma Momoh (General Manager of MSN Search, and a University of Waterloo graduate) actually mentioned them himself.

MSN Search's technology preview and MSN NewsBot were previewed. We weren't privy to anything really new. We saw graphs of query frequency and what position results were most often clicked (both look like power laws). Apparently NewsBot Canada will be rolled out in the next wave.

After it was over I spoke to both Momoh and Patrick Copeland (Director of Test at MSN Search) briefly. I mentioned that MSN Search's tech preview is used in URLinfo and Copeland said he'd check it out.

All-in-all I enjoyed the free pizza and compacted t-shirt, but didn't win the x-box or other raffle prizes. No photos as my camera is out of batteries :-( . I wasn't extremely impressed with MSN Search today, but they are just starting.