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Title:

The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook

Review:

Google was attacked by a variant of the MyDoom worm in late July, taking the site offline. Instinctively, I kept turning to Google for information and, during the afternoon, was repeatedly frustrated by its inability to deliver. For me, the internet was broken. It was only one website that failed, but search engines are so fundamental to how we seek information online, that we're lost without our favourite.

With this recent experience in mind, it was a good time for me to read 'The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook' by Randolph Hock. The book aspires to be a guide for anyone who needs to research online, from beginners to experienced searchers.

One problem with such a broad remit is that there isn't space in a single book to do it justice. It's like watching one of those 'top 50 pop videos' programmes where you're satisfied with the rundown except that they've missed out lots of the gems you know about. At times I found myself wondering how Hock had overlooked the likes of open source encyclopaedia Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org or Amazon's search toolbar Alexa http://www.alexa.com. And many more too - doubtless you'd spot your own omissions.

While that makes the book incomplete as a reference source, it doesn't undermine its usefulness as an introduction to searching. The book includes short reviews of a wide range of news, reference and directory websites. There is a meaty guide explaining how to use the leading search engines optimally and how they differ. The comparison of search logic here (including which engines will recognise AND, NEAR and OR) is particularly helpful. While there's a lot of attention paid to how the search engines work, there's not as much detail on content. It would have been helpful - and interesting - to read how the indexes compare for timeliness, editorial independence and breadth.

A potential problem with books about search engines is how quickly they date. Yahoo's recent acquisition spree alone raises questions about the future of the formerly independent Alta Vista and Alltheweb search engines. Fortunately, the book has a supporting website at http://www.extremesearcher.com. Although it's hard to find the latest updates there, the site was extensively updated in April 2004 and appears to be regularly maintained.

The book has a US bias in the sources selected and sometimes the vocabulary used ('foreign' means non-US although this isn't defined, and the education term K-12 goes unexplained). The UK is best represented among non-US countries, with enthusiastic references to the BBC and the UK government portal among other sites. But those outside the US whose research needs are purely domestic might be disappointed with the number of useful resources recommended to them.

There are better reference resources if you're trying to track down specific information, but Hock's book is a good companion if you're ready to invest some time in sharpening your search skills. Having read this book, next time my favourite search engine dries up, I might find it easier to stay afloat.

FreePint Reviewer:

Sean McManus is a business and technology writer. He is the founder of media careers advice site JournalismCareers.com http://www.journalismcareers.com and fun mood-surfing website Wild Mood Swings http://www.wildmoodswings.co.uk. You can download free chapters from his books 'Small Business Websites That Work' and 'The Customer Service Pocketbook' (co-authored) at http://www.sean.co.uk. The website also hosts a wide range of website development resources and a selection of original Javascript games.

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