Thing #8 - Compare two search engines

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You've probably used Google to find information on the web, and with good reason. Google is easy to use, has a simple, uncluttered interface and allows you to apply various search limits. It is not, however, the only search engine out there.

In fact, different search engines have unique features, and rank the sites they return in different ways (which is why the same keyword search in Google will not return the exact list you'll get in say, Microsoft's Live Search). There are also a number of specialty search engines that cater to specific subject areas, such as science or

So let's get started. Choose two search engines from the following list:

A9
Ask
Clusty
Exalead
Grokker
Intute
SearchMash

Next, try a few searches, check out any advanced search features, explore and play. If you want to kill two birds with one stone, try searching for background information on your research topic. You won't have to turn it in this week, but finding websites for your research project is an upcoming Thing.

Complete the following questions for each search engine:

1. Who produces this search engine? What do you think is the search engine's main purpose (i.e. to find anything on the web, find specific topical information or formats, research)?

2. Describe two or three special features of this search engine. Also describe any features that you think would be useful in narrowing down your search.

One more question:
3. Compare and contrast this search engines with each other and with Google. Of the three, which do you like best? Why?

Resources: http://del.icio.us/liby1210/searchengine

Minimum blog post length: At least 150 words
Due Wednesday, January 31st by 9pm.


*Challenge Exercise* (1 point extra credit)
Create your own search engine using Google Co-op. Include at least 5 web resources in your engine. Post the URL so I can check it out.