What would we do without Google – in fact, can you imagine your life pre-Google? But did you know that you can do much more than look up random facts with Google?
In May 2012 Google announced they will be adding Knowledge Graph as an additional function to their Google search engine. Ok great, but what is Knowledge Graph?
Knowledge Graph is a central source of information collected from various sources, including the CIA World Factbook, Freebase, and Wikipedia. This database gives structured and detailed information on a topic, together with the standard list of suggested links.
The purpose of the database is for uses to make use of the Knowledge Graph information without having to click on links which lead them to other websites. Since 2012 this semantic network consists of more than 570 million objects and more than 10 billion facts!
Sounds quite nifty, doesn’t it? So what kind of information can you track down with this so-called Knowledge Graph?
You’ve probably already used Google translate, an application which allows you to translate any phrase or word to another. Google translate is part of the Knowledge Graph. Unfortunately Google’s Afrikaans skills aren’t quite up to standard yet, so don’t depend too much on it for translation to and from Afrikaans.
Apart from Google’s impressive language skills, it can also calculate the exchange rate for you when you’re going overseas. Just type in the amount and currency and the currency to which you want to convert it and you’re all set to swipe your credit card to your heart’s content in that three storey bookshop in Leuven! For example, type “10 rand to Euro” and it will instantly be converted to the right amount.
When travelling, you’ll probably be speculating about which weather to expect so you can pack the right clothes. Type in (for example) “The weather in Antwerp” and within seconds you clothing dilemma is solved and worries about the 20 kg limit are diminished.
Are those French breakfasts too tasty for your own good and you’re starting to worry about your growing middle and cholesterol levels? Google “How much protein is in an egg?” and you might just switch from filled omelettes to muesli.
Since you’re already worried about your health, why not look up the ailment you believe you contracted during your travels. Knowledge Graph gives you fast access to health inormation, including conditions and medication. Type in a specific ailment or medication and the explanation will be displayed.
You can even look up the sunrise and sunsets, times in various cities and specific holidays.
Having problems converting measurements – whether it’s inches, feet or other measurements, the search engine can convert height, weight, volume and temperature. Type in “2mm to inches” in the search box and press Enter. If you need more measurement options, click on the drop down list.
Speaking of numbers – for those of us who aren’t blessed with mathematical brains, Google will to the adding up for you. A dictionary function is also available for the left brainers. The dictionay can be activated by adding “define” in front of the word or just by typing it incorrectly!
Google is constantly adding new applications and extras to their search engine. Have a look at what else they have to offer at https://www.google.co.za/intl/af/help/features.html.
Wat sou ons tog sonder Google in ons lewens gedoen het – kan jy jouself ooit `n lewe pre-Google voorstel?! Maar het jy geweet dat jy meer met Google kan doen as net lukrake feite opsoek?
Google het in Mei 2012 aangekondig dat Knowledge Graph as addisionele funksie tot die Google soekenjin bygevoeg. Gaaf, maar wat is Knowledge Graph?
Knowledge Graph is `n sentrale bron van inligting wat versamel is van verskeie bronne soos CIA World Factbook, Freebase, en Wikipedia. Hierdie databasis verskaf gestruktureerde en gedetaileerde inligting oor `n onderwerp, saam met die standaard lys voorgestelde skakels.
Die doel hiervan is sodat gebruikers van die Knowledge Graph inligting kan gebruik sonder om verder te kliek op skakels wat hulle wegneem na ander webwerwe. Vanaf 2012 beskik hierdie semantiese netwerk oor meer as 570 miljoen objekte en meer as 10 biljoen feite!
Klink heel handig, né? So wat kan `n mens alles opspoor met hierdie sogenaamde Knowledge Graph?
Jy het waarskynlik al gebruik gemaak van Google translate, `n funksie wat jou toelaat om enige woord of frase van een taal na `n ander te vertaal. Google translate is deel van die Knowledge Graph. Ongelukkig is Google se Afrikaanse vaardighede nog nie so geslyp nie, so moet maar nie te veel daarop vertrou vir Afrikaans nie.
Maar buiten vir Google se indrukwekkende vertaalvaardighede, kan dit ook jou geldkoers vir jou bereken wanneer jy oorsee gaan. Voer bloot die bedrag en eenheid van en waarheen dit moet omgeskakel word en jy’s reg om jou kredietkaart te gaan sleep in daai winkel in Leuven met die drie verdiepings boeke! Tik byvoorbeeld “10 rand to Euro” in en dit word dadelik vir jou omgesit in die regte bedrag.
Wanneer jy aan die reis is, wonder waarskynlik ook oor die weer en wat jy moet inpak om nie die 20kg limiet te oorskry nie. Tik `n frase soos “The weather in Antwerp” en binne sekondes is jou klere-dilemma uitgesorteer.
Smaak die ontbyte in Frankryk te lekker en jy begin bekommerd raak oor die groeiende omstek van jou middellyf en cholesterolvlakke? Google net “How much protein is in an egg?” en jy sal dalk gou oorskakel na muesli ipv gevulde omelette.
Aangesien jy nou alreeds bekommerd is oor jou gesondheid – soek sommer die kwaal op wat jy vermoed jy opgedoen het in jou reise. Knowledge Graph gee jou vinnige toegang tot gesondheidsinligting, insluitende toestande of medikasie. Tik in `n spesifieke siekte of medikasie en `n verduideliking sal opkom.
Jy kan selfs die sonopkoms en ondergange, tye in verskeie stede en spesifieke vakansiedae opsoek.
Sukkel jy met omskakeling van mates – of dit nou duime, voete of ander mates is, die soekenjin kan selfs hoogte, gewig, volume en temperatuur omskakel. Tik byvoorbeeld in e “2mm to inches” in soekboksie en druk Enter. As jy meer mates soek, kliek net op die aftuimellys.
Gepraat van syfers – vir die van ons wat nie geseënd is met wiskundige breine nie, sal Google die optelsom vir jou doen. Ook vir die linkerbreine is daar `n woordeboek-opsie. DIt kan geaktiveer word deur “define” vooraan die woord te tik of net verkeerd te spel!
Over the past year a new technology initiative aimed mainly at students, has slowly, but surely spread across campuses nationwide.
If you’re a regular visitor to universities, particularly in Europe, you’re most likely aware of eduroam and how it simplifies travelling for academic purposes. We’re happy to announce that eduroam will henceforth also be available at Stellenbosch University.