Knowledge Discovery Ltd. Redefines Web Searches With Revolutionary Search-Query Generator.

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 1996--

- KDL Interactive's Search-Query Generator addresses info overload and retrieval of irrelevant information; transforms simple key word queries into concept and contextual searches 

Knowledge Discovery Ltd. (KDL) redefines searching on the World Wide Web with the global launch today of its interactive subsidiary's unique search-query generator, More Like This. Using proprietary new KDL technology, More Like This automatically generates the optimal query by directly interfacing with local computer files, Web browsers, and search engines to retrieve information, expanding the parameters of contextual queries to provide more relevant and interesting results - without compromising speed or performance.

Brett Moore, KDL strategic director, states "More Like This addresses a fast-growing need in the Internet community for reliable, comprehensive searches. With the vast amount of information available and the explosion of Web sites and Internet use, getting relevant results is becoming more difficult. Even the increasing sophistication of today's search engines has not overcome the fundamental issues of retrieving too much information or irrelevant information." More Like This is the very first of a new type of application. As a result, it may be easier to describe it by what it is not. It is not a search engine, an off-line search program, or a Web browser.

It is a program that automatically determines the very best way to search for information in conjunction with the chosen browser and search engine as part of the process. More Like This chooses key words from on-screen information - whether it's part of a Web page, a document, e-mail or local text - and constructs the optimal search query, without changing what the browser does.

The inventor of KDL technology and founding partner of Knowledge Discovery Ltd., Dr. Scott Deerwester, is a pioneer in the field of advanced text retrieval techniques such as latent semantic indexing. "KDL technology was originally designed as a theoretical tool for information retrieval and analysis in data - intensive environments," said Deerwester.

Deerwester continues, "We've applied it successfully in a management consulting context using KDL technology to identify the underlying patterns and relationships that exist in volumes of data. The other obvious application for such powerful technology is the Web, where fast and accurate retrieval is required."

In developing More Like This, Deerwester researched close to a million of the most popular Web pages using proprietary KDL technology to determine the types of topics that Web pages are being written about, the underlying relationships in data and how to construct more potent, better-defined methods of extracting relevant information from such a vast repository.

A pull-down menu presents the user with several changeable search parameters. With a function known as Wide Angle, More Like This can transform simple keyword queries into broader concept and contextual searches. Wide Angle is a completely new and powerful function exclusive to More Like This, which actually takes contextual searches to the next level by searching laterally. The search yields results that are outside the boundaries of the formal query, but they are related to the topic.

Deerwester continues, "More Like This is convenient and smart. It automatically generates the best or the most interesting search query from what you're looking at on-screen and, with Wide Angle, it can even do the thinking for you. The result is you can find more of what you want faster, without surfing for hours."

As a result, More Like This radically changes the manner in which searches are conducted. "It's new and powerful because it does some special things, such as cutting down the number of steps involved in a search from 10 or 14 to 2, and thinking outside the square when it comes to context-based searching," said Deerwester.

About Knowledge Discovery Ltd.

Knowledge Discovery Ltd. is a privately-held software development and consulting firm established in Hong Kong in 1995 to develop and apply new technologies for information retrieval and data analysis. The power of this technology is best applied to information-rich environments, whether in a company or on the Internet. KDL's Proprietary analysis tools address a critical need in today's information-intensive environment by making data analysis faster and more accurate. Knowledge Discovery Ltd. has two divisions: KDL Interactive, dedicated to developing Internet products, and KDL Management Consulting, which applies the technology to consulting services in public and private sector businesses.

More Like This is the lead product for KDL Interactive Ltd. and can be downloaded from the World Wide Web (http:// www.morelikethis.com). The product is available on a 21 day free trial, after which a one-time payment of $35 is required to continue using the product.

More Like This runs on Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 and works with popular Web browsers and search engines. The package requires about 7Mb of free disk space to install, and works best with 8Mb or more of random access memory (RAM).

CONTACT: Wilson McHenry Company

Lerry Wilson, 415-638-3400

[e-mail]

or

Blackie McDonald

Melissa Dempsey

[e-mail]

or

Email: [e-mail]