Problem solvers only need apply

Now here's an interesting post from the Google blog. Google like many companies want to hire people who think outside the box. Don't just come up with the usual answers to problems but come up with more useful answers.

Here's an example about designing Google's spell-checker:
"The routine solution would be to run queries through a dictionary. The non-routine, creative solution is to use the query corrections and refinements that other users have made in the past to offer spelling suggestions for new queries. This approach enables us to correct all the words that aren't in the dictionary, helping many more users in the process." (My emphasis)

In my own experience (as someone who spent many hours as a primary school student trying and failing at spelling tests) it also helps those of us who are spelling challenged. I love the "Did you mean ..." suggestions. The idea of a spell checker learning from what others have typed in to correct their own spelling/typo mistakes is just wonderful. Now why can't my word processor (by you know who) learn that way too?

Official Google Blog: Our Googley advice to students: Major in learning