What can I expect?

How long does an exploration take?

Why does exploring take longer than a searching?

What are the best subjects to explore?

Can I always expect a report?

Can I use Explore XY to augment off-line research?

What are XY correlations?

What are tangents?

Can I use tangents to filter explorations?

What are nodes and why do they come in three parts?

Why isn't Explore XY processed through an online host like a search engine?

Is there any limit on the size of my exploration reports?



What can I expect?

With Explore XY you don't search, you explore. Since explorations are about discovering the previously unknown, is what you're looking for really out there? Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn't. So you can expect some explorations to come up empty. But in the process you may find that you've latched onto something surprising, leading you to an exciting new exploration. So, expect the unexpected -- even more so if you invoke tangents to your basic XY exploration.

So, expect the unexpected -- even more so if you invoke tangents to your basic XY exploration.

How long does an exploration take?

When you dispatch Explore XY out into the web it's on a voyage of discovery. And discovering things takes time. Explore XY works quietly in the background while you do other things on your PC.
On occasion you can expect Explore XY to report back with a large array of potential connections, arranged into nodes. Sorting through these can take time, too.

A key factor affecting exploration duration is how many Answer Sets you request. The more answer sets you request, the longer your exploration. That said, more Answer Sets usually produce more comprehensive, in-depth exploration reporting.

On occasion you can expect Explore XY to report back with a staggering array of potential connections, arranged into nodes. Sorting through these can take time, as well. (Jeez, did you expect Explore XY to actually read them to you too?)

A key factor in determining time-of-exploration is the number of Answer Sets you request. The more answer sets you ask for, the longer your exploration. That said, with more Answer Sets usually lead to a more detailed, in-depth exploration.

Why does exploring take longer than a searching?

Explore XY doesn't rummage around for isolated key words and link pointers like search engines do. It's exploring for connections between entities or ideas (X and Y). It goes through three exploration stages - Discovery, Acquisition, Correlation -- to generate a report you can use.

So it takes longer than searching. But when you compare an exploration of a few hours to the days -- or weeks, or months -- it takes to plow through mountains of materials for paper-based research, using a KCE^TM is actually a major time saver.

What are the best subjects to explore?

Simple answer - any subjects that interest you. Explore XY is designed to explore even the most whacked-out potential connections. Rule of thumb: if it can be easily searched, then search it. If you need to gain real knowledge unsullied by third party agendas like paid search results page placements, get out there and explore it.

Can I always expect a report?

If there are any connections at all between your X and Y correlations, Explore XY will discover them and report back. Sometimes there are simply no connections out there and, therefore, nothing to report.

Can I use Explore XY to augment off-line research?

Absolutely. In fact, reports from your explorations can be used to help guide, focus and speed any off-line research project.

What are XY correlations?

Explorations are primarily driven by XY correlations. X and Y are two entities between which you're attempting to discover a correlation. The designation of a correlation entity (i.e., whether or not it's under X or Y) doesn't affect the ultimate exploration report; they're interchangeable.

No more than two "X" terms are processed, while the number of terms on the "Y" side is open. However, to minimize processing time, we strongly suggest you enter no more than four terms into the "Y" side.

Connectives and articles such as "of," "an," "a," "to," etc. are ignored by Explore XY.

What are tangents?

These are up to three additional, tangential entities that add context that could influence the shape of the outcome of an exploration report. In effect, tangents add new dimensions to the knowledge delivered in a report.

For instance, say you've entered XY correlations of "global warming" and "surfing." You may want to invoke tangents of "dolphins," "lunar cycle" and "currents."

Using more than one tangent can add even more depth and dimension to the report and generate knowledge that is different from a basic XY correlation.

Each tangent is independent of other tangents applied in an exploration and relates only to the X and Y correlation.

What makes tangents so intriguing and valuable is that they can generate new, unimaginable knowledge. You'll never know what depth and dimension can be added to a report until you try invoking tangents. The key word here is "added." Unlike in search, where adding Boolean "+" words to a search term narrows results, invoking tangents in Explore XY expands the exploration's scope and will add to processing time.

Tangents will increase exploration times, but they're often more than worth the wait.

Can I use tangents to filter explorations?

No. Tangents do not filter or subtract from an exploration for XY discoveries. They add dimension and context to them.

What are nodes and why do they come in three parts?

Each node is a self-contained structure of information. A node requires nothing else to convey meaning. Once in the collection, each node is equally eligible to be combined or associated with any and every other node, regardless of source information object, or part of a source information object from which the node contents originally came. Any node implementation that meets these criteria can be manipulated by Explore XY. The first release of ExploreXY utilizes a patented form of a triple object.

Why isn't Explore XY processed through an online host like a search engine?

Explore XY requires more processing power than search, so a host system that could handle complex and extensive explorations for thousands or millions of users would need to be, well, freaking gigantic.

Second, explorations by their nature should be kept private and secure. The only way to ensure that is to have Explore XY operate independently on the user's system.

Is there any limit on the size of my exploration reports?

The size of your information base and the number of correlations per origin are limited by the size of your system's internal memory. The recommended minimum runtime memory is 512MB.