FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How does the Search Refiner work?
A: The Search Refiner implements Patent Pending system and methods described here. The current version analyzes only typed words, the next version will analyze downloaded webpages as well.

Q: What does the 'Patent Pending' mean?
A: You can read about the Provisional Patent Applications here.

Q: Are there any similar patents and/or programs?
A: Yes, for example this one. The Search Refiner is based fully on this work which is more suitable for practical implementation.

Q: Does the Search Refiner send any information to Google or any third party?
A: No, all collected information is used localy and never leaves your computer.

Q: How secure is it to use the Search Refiner?
A: You can safely use the Search Refiner. For security and performance reasons it converts all learned words to numbers by using the so called hash function before storing this data onto your disk. It is impossible to convert these numbers back to the original words even if you have the full source code of this hash function.

Q: Does the Search Refiner use Bayesian filters?
A: No, the current version of Search Refiner does not use Bayesian filters. It uses the list of the Most Popular Web Words created by Philipp Lenssen and the list of the Most Frequent Words Brown Corpus. Also it uses the great 'HTML To Text Converter' created by Nir Sofer.

Q: Does the Search Refiner install any Browser Helper Object and/or network driver?
A: No it never installs Browser Helper Objects nor network/system drivers.

Q: How to temproray disable the Search Refiner?
A: Simply close down the program using its icon in the system tray (near the clock) in the bottom right of the screen. It will automatically re-start when you next time logon to your computer.

Q: How long does the 'learning' take?
A: It depends on how actively you use the computer and whether you prefer to read or type texts. Usually 10-20 days. The longer you use it, the better results you will have.

Q: Do I need to manually train it?
A: No, simply install it on to your computer, wait for a while and then you can use it.

Q: I typed the search query, clicked on 'GO' and nothing happened. What is going on?
A: Make sure that the Search Refiner is not blocked by your Firewall. It needs access to the Internet via HTTP protocol.

Q: Do you have any plans for improving the Search Refiner?
A: Yes, the new improved version will be released soon.