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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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13

Algorithm Can 'Fill in the Blanks' of Ancient Texts

Algorithm could also be basis of search engine for old docs

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(Newser) – A new computer algorithm could soon take some of the guesswork out of deciphering ancient texts, Reuters reports. The program, developed in Israel and currently used with ancient Hebrew, works with digital copies of unreadable texts and uses pattern recognition to “fill in the blanks,” says one of the developers. “The more texts the program analyzes, the smarter and more accurate it gets,” says one researcher.

The digitization and cataloging of texts could also make the program a key part of a Google-type search engine for ancient documents. “When enough texts have been digitized,” an expert says, “it will manage to combine fragments of books that have been scattered all over the world.” The developers say the program could be in the hands of academics worldwide in two years.

An ancient Hebrew document dated to the 2nd century AD.
An ancient Hebrew document dated to the 2nd century AD.   (AP Photo)
An antique hand written Quran.
An antique hand written Quran.   (AP Photo)
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13 comments
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VANJ
Sep 2, 09 2:00 PM CDT
Sort of like Google's "Did you mean ..." when you mis-type your search query? Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
jagerhans
Sep 2, 09 3:20 PM CDT
kind of, but performed on the basis of single charachters, i guess. probably its heuristics functions also take into account the whole word and sentence.
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-1
IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Sep 2, 09 3:47 PM CDT
The "Did you mean ..." function is more part of search strings than fuzzy logic like algorithms
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0
IN RESPONSE:
WallyEFunk
Sep 2, 09 6:41 PM CDT
Funny Vanj. I see the problem :)
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gabo
Sep 2, 09 2:01 PM CDT
Some one is going to base their religious beliefs on a fill in the blank technology.That's nothing new. Reply
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+13

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technology • computer programming • academia • search engine • algorithms • pattern recognition • Hebrew • ancient writings • documents • ancient texts

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