Zanran: Difference between revisions
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==Other data-search on the Internet== |
==Other data-search on the Internet== |
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Other specialists in the data-search space include: [http://www.wolframalpha.com/ WolframAlpha], [http://www.infochimps.com/ Infochimps], [ |
Other specialists in the data-search space include: [http://www.wolframalpha.com/ WolframAlpha], [http://www.infochimps.com/ Infochimps], [http://web.archive.org/web/20111015004801/http://www.datafiniti.net:80/ Datafiniti], [http://datamarket.com/ DataMarket], [http://www.junar.com/ Junar], and [http://timetric.com/ Timetric]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 07:26, 21 July 2016
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (January 2012) |
Zanran is a search engine for data and statistics.[1][2] Zanran’s focus on finding graphs, charts and tables on the Internet, which distinguishes it from other search engines (Google, Bing, etc.).[3][4] Unlike a normal search engine, the search results – graphs, tables, etc. - can be previewed by mouse-hovering over the thumbnails.[3][5]
History
In 2006, the founders, Dr Yves Dassas[2] and Jon Goldhill,[2] started developing the technology that makes Zanran possible. A limited beta ran from November 2010. The service was launched as a public beta version in May 2011, to broadly warm reviews.[6][7][8]
Technology
Zanran has developed two technologies specifically for this application:
- Image ‘classification’ – the ability for a computer to decide whether an image is a graph, a pie-chart etc. (as opposed to a photograph or a cartoon etc.). The Zanran algorithms work to over 95% accuracy. This is important because most images on the web are not graphs – and otherwise there would be a large number of false positives.
- Text extraction – the process of taking the most appropriate text to describe the graph. This contrasts with a normal search engine where an entire HTML page might be included.
These processes are the subject of Zanran’s UK patent.[9] The image processing in particular takes a great deal of computer power. Zanran runs on the Amazon cloud – and uses hundreds of machines at a time.
The service is English-language only (at Dec 2011).
The company
Zanran Ltd is based in London, UK. It was financed by the founders prior to a private angel investment round in March 2010.
Other data-search on the Internet
Other specialists in the data-search space include: WolframAlpha, Infochimps, Datafiniti, DataMarket, Junar, and Timetric.
References
- ^ Chartier, Mathieu (May 26, 2011). "Zanran, search engine data and statistics" (in French). Pcworld.fr. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ a b c Bekkaoui, Selma (May 25, 2011). "Zanran, the new search engine data is available in beta!" (in French). Fr.techcrunch.com. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ a b Marron, Donald (May 16, 2011). "Will Zanran be the Google for data?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
{{cite web}}: External link in|publisher= - ^ [1] Matt McGee SearchEngineLand, 12 May 2011
- ^ [2] Matthew Hurst, Data Mining Blog, 25 May 2011
- ^ [3] Aluation Blog, 18 May 2011
- ^ [4] Phil Bradley's weblog, 24 May 2011
- ^ [5] Donald Marron, Musings on Economics, Finance, and Life, 13 May 2011,
- ^ [6] UK patent number GB2457267