Taking Web 2.0 to the next level
It is a very interesting time for everyone around the world with dynamic changes continuing to take place in the digital media space, even through a deepening economic recession. At a time when the sluggish economy is being a cause of worry to everyone, web 2.0 offers to help in at least one thing less to do – make decisions.
Hunch, a new startup from Flickr co-founder Caterina Fake is a consumer web application looking to help users make up their minds. It helps users make decisions by asking them a series of questions, then using their answers to make a suggestion. The system uses the answers to the questions to offer the user a suggested solution, along with an percentage indicating how confident it is with its decision.
In some respects the site is like a hybrid between Wikipedia (where users come to a consensus) and Yahoo Answers (where everyone’s opinion is shown). All of the questions asked are submitted by other members, who also play a role in deciding how answers are judged.
The process works like this: you pick a topic from Hunch’s various categories (or by searching for a specific question), and Hunch then asks you a brief series of questions that have been submitted by other members. Hunch uses your answers to narrow the field and ultimately suggests a decision. Once Hunch offers you its recommendation you can also see other possible recommendations, see any specific pros and cons members have submitted, learn why Hunch selected that option for you and, most importantly, tell Hunch whether or not you agree with its decision.
The last part is key because it’s one of the main ways Hunch’s algorithm gets smarter — the more feedback and data it gets, the more it can adapt and correct, so as more people use Hunch the site should improve.
I asked Hunch where I should have dinner tonight. Hunch then asked me how spicy I like my food to be, whether I want something heavy or light, whether I eat beef, whether I want hot/cold I want my food to be, and so on before rendering its decision.
Hunch is currently a beta version and does not have open registration, but you can add your e-mail address to the invite list and hopefull you should get to try it.