I just noticed today that a search on Amazon (e.g., this search for algorithms) does not provide the options to sort the results or to refine by anything other than category. Once you do select a category (e.g., books), you are given additional refinement options, as well as the ability to sort.
While I find this interface less than ideal (e.g. even if all of your search are in a single category, it still makes you select that category explicitly), I do commend them for recognizing the need to have users clarify before they refine. The implication--one we've been pursuing at Endeca--is that it is incumbent on the system to detect when its understanding of the user's intent is ambiguous enough to require a clarification dialogue.
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Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Clarification before Refinement on Amazon
I just noticed today that a search on Amazon (e.g., this search for algorithms) does not provide the options to sort the results or to refine by anything other than category. Once you do select a category (e.g., books), you are given additional refinement options, as well as the ability to sort.
While I find this interface less than ideal (e.g. even if all of your search are in a single category, it still makes you select that category explicitly), I do commend them for recognizing the need to have users clarify before they refine. The implication--one we've been pursuing at Endeca--is that it is incumbent on the system to detect when its understanding of the user's intent is ambiguous enough to require a clarification dialogue.
While I find this interface less than ideal (e.g. even if all of your search are in a single category, it still makes you select that category explicitly), I do commend them for recognizing the need to have users clarify before they refine. The implication--one we've been pursuing at Endeca--is that it is incumbent on the system to detect when its understanding of the user's intent is ambiguous enough to require a clarification dialogue.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Clarification before Refinement on Amazon
I just noticed today that a search on Amazon (e.g., this search for algorithms) does not provide the options to sort the results or to refine by anything other than category. Once you do select a category (e.g., books), you are given additional refinement options, as well as the ability to sort.
While I find this interface less than ideal (e.g. even if all of your search are in a single category, it still makes you select that category explicitly), I do commend them for recognizing the need to have users clarify before they refine. The implication--one we've been pursuing at Endeca--is that it is incumbent on the system to detect when its understanding of the user's intent is ambiguous enough to require a clarification dialogue.
While I find this interface less than ideal (e.g. even if all of your search are in a single category, it still makes you select that category explicitly), I do commend them for recognizing the need to have users clarify before they refine. The implication--one we've been pursuing at Endeca--is that it is incumbent on the system to detect when its understanding of the user's intent is ambiguous enough to require a clarification dialogue.
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