Monday, May 4, 2009

social search: get questions answered by your friends through Aardvark

People think I am skewed towards Google a lot. Actually, am not! Google, is almost always, the second choice when I need information. The first I turn to, are most always people. If I am stuck with UI, I usually turn to Renjith; if it's python, then there is Vikalp; if it's machine learning, there's Srinivas to lend a helping hand; if it's about the latest in web technologies, or anything about good food joints in Bangalore, then there is always Arjun.

People, unlike Google, can give factual answers, and that allows me to complete my task fast and easy. I would rather go by what my friends have to say than what I find in some obscure website discovered through Google.

And then, there's always the trust factor, and of being approachable. Would you mind, if your friend (or a friend's friend) asks you a question about a topic you are knowledgeable about? Chances are, you would happily oblige!

And, it is for this reason, that I believe Aardvark is a cut above the rest.


Welcome the next generation in Social Search. It is somewhat related to web search, in the sense that you search the web to find information within them; whereas in Social Search you try and find people who are capable of giving you the information that you seek. Simply put, Social search is all about finding information from real people.

I have a few invites left. So, if any of you are interested in trying it out, then drop me a mail, and I will send you one.