|
Title:
The Extreme Searcher's Guide to Web Search Engines (2nd Ed.)
Review:
Search engines are one of the great contradictions of the Internet :
they can provide quick, easy access to exactly the information you
want within seconds - or frustrate you with hundreds of completely
irrelevant results until you give up.
Randolph Hock aims to provide a reference handbook that covers the
major search engines and guides the user through their individual
features, strengths and weaknesses. His aim is to aid the 'extreme
searcher' - the searcher who utilizes the strengths of particular
engines and their advanced features - to find the information they
seek quickly and efficiently.
He starts with a brief introduction to the history of searching
Internet based resources (from gophers to WWW based engines) and
continues with a description of the different elements of a search
engine - useful as understanding a little of what's 'under the hood'
of an engine can help determine its usefulness for different searches.
An explanation of the different search options that are commonly
available (Boolean operators etc) follows. Eight well known engines
are then individually profiled in their own chapters, followed by
examinations of several meta search and software tools. Finally there
are details of sources of search engine information - including a
certain site called Free Pint!
The value of this book lies in the chapters on individual engines and
several tables which compare their different search features -
invaluable in finding the right engine for a specialist search. Each
chapter starts with a useful list of the engines strengths and
weaknesses - e.g. Northern Light's "Special Collection" of proprietary
publications - and a description of the features it offers. Details
of how the engine spiders web pages and some indication of how often
is included, as well as a useful list of the advanced search features
of the engine and details of any additional databases it searches
(e.g. Lycos' multimedia database)
One of the problems with different search engines is that they offer
different advanced search options, and treat similar options
differently. Usefully, each chapter details how the engine treats
these operators, lists how to use them with examples and discusses how
results are presented with indications of any useful options (e.g.
"Facts About" on Altavista). There are also comments on other
features like web directories or personalization options.
Even if you use several different search engines and are familiar with
their advanced features this book is of value - I learnt about several
useful options on engines I normally do not use - and the tables
comparing different search options strike me as a particularly useful
reference source. Usefully the website that accompanies the book -
- provides indications of changes and
brief overviews of new engines.
If you spend a lot of time searching the web and want a reference
source comparing the different engines, or if you are looking for a
book that introduces you to more than just simple keyword searching,
this could be the title for you.
Free Pint Reviewer:
Duncan Parry is a directory editor for Lycos UK, responsible for
Computers, Technology, Internet and Telecommunications.
<http://www.lycos.co.uk/>. He also provides freelance site design,
promotion and writing services <http://www.digitalstrike.co.uk>.
Related Free Pint Links:
| 
