Mahalo

Mahalo describes itself as a "human-powered search engine," on odd formulation admittedly, but one which demonstrates this site's desire to establish itself an alternative to Google's algorithm-led treatment of knowledge. But can it challenge Wikipedia?

HUMAN SEARCH

Set up by web entrepreneur Jason Calacanis in 2007, Mahalo's tagline is: ‘learn anything.' The search engine is called ‘human-powered' because its results are not generated by algorithms. Instead, editors produce pages for search terms. If no page has been produced users are directed to the results of a Google search.

OLD DOGS

Now, we humans are extraordinary creatures with a capacity for picking up new tricks even when in the process of becoming old dogs. But, putting autodidacts to one side, every student needs a good teacher. This success of this endeavour will depend on the skill and commitment of the people producing the pages. Mahalo is the Hawaiian for ‘thank you.' Whether or not uses of this site will thank its creators, will depend on whether they feel they are being offered reliable information. If that is the case, Mahalo may just have a chance of finding a place online.

26th April 2011