In the second half of the 2008 fall semester the CFCC Web Master Christina Heikkila, working closley with Intelliresponse and many CFCC departments launched a natural language search interface for the CFCC website. In the planning stages it was decided that the search interface would have a unique CFCC branding that would feature the school mascot, Ray the Sea Devil.
The search engine would respond to natural questions like, “How do I apply?” or “How do I register for class?” and provide an answer from an extensive database of possible answers. Using the school mascot as a character that would “answer” the questions would hopefully create an environment that would be inviting, interactive and fun to use.
That’s where my contribution to the Ask Ray interface begins.