The prediction, in brief:

One of the capabilities of the WAIS [wide-area information server] software is a harbinger of future information-finding software agents that will roam the Net in search of information. This capability is known as relevance feedback.

Predictor: Rheingold, Howard

Prediction, in context:

In his 1991 book “The Virtual Community,” Howard Rheingold writes:”One of the capabilities of the WAIS [wide-area information server] software is a harbinger of future information-finding software agents that will roam the Net in search of information. This capability is known as relevance feedback. You can ask WAIS to search its databases for information about a subject – say, Japanese gardening. In a few seconds, you will get a list of hundreds or thousands of sources. If you pick out three sources that look interesting because they are about the aesthetics rather than the horticulture of gardening, you can ask WAIS to restrict its search. By this kind of back-and-forth dialogue, you can refine the search.”

Biography:

Howard Rheingold, one of the first writers to illuminate the ideals and foibles of virtual communities, published a webzine called Electric Minds and wrote “Virtual Reality,” “Smart Mobs” and “Virtual Community.” He also was the editor of Whole Earth Review and the Millennium Whole Earth Catalog. (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)

Date of prediction: January 1, 1990

Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information

Subtopic: Intelligent Agents/AI

Name of publication: The Virtual Community

Title, headline, chapter name: Chapter Three: Visionaries and Convergences: The Accidental History of the Net

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/3.html

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Smith, Ian T.