Search the WebSearch the Web

Looking for a Needle in a Looking for a Needle in a HaystackHaystack

Cut the Haystack Down to SizeCut the Haystack Down to Size

SummarySummary

Ease the FrustrationEase the Frustration Search Engines Fall Into Three CategoriesSearch Engines Fall Into Three Categories Keyword IndexesKeyword Indexes Subject DirectoriesSubject Directories Metasearch EnginesMetasearch Engines Best Search Engines AroundBest Search Engines Around Find What You’re Looking ForFind What You’re Looking For

Ease the FrustrationEase the Frustration

New search sitesNew search sites Enhancements to Enhancements to

old standbysold standbys

Search Engines Fall Into Three Search Engines Fall Into Three CategoriesCategories

Keyword IndexesKeyword Indexes Subject DirectoriesSubject Directories Metasearch Metasearch

EnginesEngines

Keyword IndexesKeyword Indexes

Produce index of all text on the sitesProduce index of all text on the sites Reads first few hundred words Reads first few hundred words

on pageon page Throws out “garbage words” Throws out “garbage words”

– and, the, for, etc.– and, the, for, etc. Alphabetizes keywords Alphabetizes keywords

and places them in an indexand places them in an index

Subject DirectoriesSubject Directories

Card catalogs of the Card catalogs of the WebWeb

Assign sites to specific Assign sites to specific topic categoriestopic categories Human generated Human generated

directoriesdirectories Easier to browseEasier to browse

Offers adviceOffers advice Where the content isWhere the content is How good or bad it isHow good or bad it is

Metasearch EnginesMetasearch Engines

Simultaneously searchSimultaneously search DatabasesDatabases EnginesEngines

Uses only simple, straightforward Uses only simple, straightforward search strategiessearch strategies

Best Search Engines AroundBest Search Engines Around

Keyword IndexesKeyword Indexes AltaVistaAltaVista AOL NetFindAOL NetFind ExciteExcite HotBotHotBot

Subject DirectoriesSubject Directories GalaxyGalaxy MagellanMagellan WebCrawlerWebCrawler YahooYahoo

Metasearch EnginesMetasearch Engines All4one Search All4one Search

MachinesMachines DogpileDogpile Highway 61Highway 61

Find What You’re Looking Find What You’re Looking ForFor

Use the Right Tools – the Right Way!Use the Right Tools – the Right Way!