Web Search Engines
While subject directories organize Web sites according to subject categories, Web search engines (such as AskJeeves, Google or AltaVista) are search tools that allow users to search for any word in almost any site on the Web.
Search engines
are best for focused research,
as part of your more detailed topic exploration.
They're not recommended for finding sites on broader
subjects, such as "astronomy" or "history. They are recommended for
key word level searches.
What are Search Engines and How DoThey Work?
Search Engine web sites are created entirely by computer programs called spiders (also known as robots) that continuously scan the Internet looking for sites to add to the index. Most search engines use search term frequency, or relevancy ranking, as a primary way of determining whether a document is relevant. For example, if you're researching diabetes and the word "diabetes" appears multiple times in a Web document, it's reasonable to assume that the document will contain useful information. Therefore, a document that repeats the word "diabetes" over and over is likely to turn up near the top of your list. How Internet Search Engines Work, http://www.howstuffworks.com/search-engine.htm
Which Search Engine Should You Use?
There are many search engines to choose from. Some will be better suited to your subject and topic. In the summary chart below, check out some of the features to determine which engine might better help you zero-in on your topic information.
Note: Most search engines include web sites which are not "authoritative" -- selected, organized or previewed by humans, which means you will need to conduct your own evaluation of the returned web sites.
|
Search
Engine |
Subject Directory |
Groups Forums |
News |
Special
Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google options |
|
|
|
Mail Order Catalogs Image Search Special Search University Search Wireless Translation Froogle - product search Groups Google Labs |
| AltaVista tools |
|
|
|
Translation |
| Alltheweb | -- | -- | -- | Advanced Searched for media: pictures, video, audio |
|
|
|
|
Business, Investment | |
| Teoma |
-- | -- | -- |
Refine |
| AOL
Search options Uses Google |
|
|
"AOL Anywhere"
|
|
| HotBot options |
|
|
|
Stocks,Email, |
|
|
|
|
News: hourly |
|
| Ask
Jeeves |
|
|
Kids pages, |
|
|
Kartoo |
-- | -- | -- |
Meta Search Engine |
| Ixquick options | -- | -- |
|
Meta Search Engine Web, MP3, News Pictures Aggregates and ranks results. Eliminates duplicates. |
|
|
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