Tafiti

Tafiti is a search technology developed by Microsoft Research. Launched as a research project, Tafiti aimed to innovate search experiences by leveraging visual and interactive methods for information discovery and management.

Key Features and Characteristics:

• Visual Interface: Tafiti featured a 3D visual interface to organize and navigate search results. This contrasted with the traditional linear list of results offered by most search engines.

• Information Stacks: Users could collect and stack search results, creating visual groupings of related information for comparison and later use.

• Ink Support: Tafiti integrated with Tablet PC functionality, allowing users to annotate, highlight, and manipulate search results using digital ink.

• Collaboration: Early iterations of Tafiti explored collaborative search, enabling users to share and work together on research tasks using the platform.

Purpose and Goals:

The primary goal of Tafiti was to explore alternative search paradigms beyond keyword-based queries and linear result lists. It aimed to enhance the user experience by providing more intuitive and engaging ways to interact with search results and manage information.

Status:

Tafiti was primarily a research project and was not commercially released as a standalone product. However, its innovative concepts and technologies influenced subsequent developments in Microsoft's search and information management tools. The project is no longer actively maintained.