Wolfram Research launched its “computational knowledge engine” Alpha to mixed reviews in May. However, founder Conrad Wolfram says the launch of Alpha is only the first step of a multi-decade project.Alpha already draws on more than two decades of work on the technical computing application Mathematica, the flagship product of Wolfram Research. The application is well-known in academic circles where it is used to perform complex calculations, manipulate data and create graphs and visualisations, but the average internet user is probably not aware of it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/sep/02/wolfram-alpha-online-search-engine-calculations
Wolfram Alpha: More than just another Google
Wolfram Research launched its “computational knowledge engine” Alpha to mixed reviews in May. However, founder Conrad Wolfram says the launch of Alpha is only the first step of a multi-decade project.