Answer Aggregator is a new type of Answer Engine. Answer Aggregator provides a systematic way to collect links to existing on-line resources that can be used for answering questions and maintains "mapping" of Questions into Answers.

In order to make the content of a website accessible to Answer Aggregator, all the webmaster has to do is to list the pages together with the corresponding Questions in a file called SYNDICATE.TXT (located in the root directory) and submit the URL of this SYNDICATE.TXT file to an Answer Aggregator. If found acceptable, the links listed will be included into the database which the Answer Aggregator uses to match answers to the questions people ask.

Another file read by Answer Aggregate's robot is NOMINATE.TXT, where a webmaster can include the resources he recommends that are found on other syndicated websites. The NOMINATE.TXT is rated for appropriateness, quality, and relevance of its recommendations and the Authority Rank is assigned to it.

Listing a page in SYNDICATE.TXT or NOMINATE.TXT is just a proposal. An Answer Aggregate may decide to reject any content for any reason. In particular, the syndicated pages must be appropriate for all age groups, including children who use the Question Answer Engines for their school papers and research.

Answer Aggregates may use natuaral language technology in order to expand the number of supported Questions. Advanced Lingusitic Technology is the key component of Answer Aggregates, which enables the expansion of the number of supported Questions. Most importantly, this task of discerning which Question Templates are equivalent to each other is doable using current Linguistic Technology, and there is no need to wait for further progress in the field.

Sasson Margaliot
Founder
Linguistic Agents Ltd
SmartInform
LingLab