Acquired Intelligence Inc.

Acquire® Demonstrations: Whale Watcher

An AcquireŽ expert system application for identifying whales.
Image of whale dorsal fins
Image of whale dorsal fins
Image of a Blue whale
Image of whale flukes
Image of a Humpback whale
Image of a blue whale blow
 Whale watching is so popular that many people find this application to be entertaining, educational, interesting and useful. We certainly hope you enjoy it.

The Whale Watcher will ask you some questions as it tries to identify the whale that you have observed. If you like it, you can download your own copy.

When using this application, bear in mind that this expert system is meant for demonstration purposes only; it is not definitive. If you want a more informed identification of your observed whale(s), you should consult your government's Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, marine biologists at your local university, a published reference work, or visit one of the Web sites listed below.

If you have a Java-capable browser, you can also use the Java Whale Watcher – you must have Java and JavaScript enabled. This version of our popular Whale Watcher system uses a Java Applet to demonstrate how easy it is to put an expert system on the World Wide Web. The Java Whale Watcher works best with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 (or higher).




The Whale Watcher is an example of our Acquire ® and Acquire®SDK expert system technology, and its operation over the Web. If you want to learn more about Web-based expert systems, you can read About the CGI Whale Watcher or About the Java Whale Watcher, which describe what goes on behind the scenes with these expert systems. If you wish to build an application that is delivered over the Web, please send mail to webmaster.

We are always looking for whale pictures, movies, and sounds that can help improve the whale watcher. If you want to help us enhance our whale watcher application please send mail to webmaster.


Here are a few interesting sites about whales and/or whale watching:
 
  • Knight Inlet Lodge, British Columbia Canada. One of the world's great destinations for guided Grizzly Bear Safaris, Orca Watching, Eagle Viewing and Rainforest Tours
 
There is a very useful introduction to whale watching and whale identification titled "Watching Whales". This interesting booklet was produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and is available in many bookstores and marine park outlets. This booklet served as the primary resource for the development of this knowledge base. For further information on this booklet please contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada at info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.