Search Exercise

IS THIS THE SPAM I'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT?

Different search tools achieve different results. Let's conduct three different searches and compare the results.

Before doing this exercise, be sure to "Bookmark" or "Favorites" this page.

After each search, use Bookmark or Favorites to return to this page and enter your results.

The most efficient way to use a directory such as Yahoo! is to start with a topic and select from the available categories.

For this example, however, we'll be playing the devil's advocate and use a word instead of a category for our search.

Type in number of "Category" hits for Yahoo!

Type in number of "Site" hits for Yahoo!
Type findings of first "Category"and first "Site" hit found in a directory search.

The most efficient way to use a search engine such as AltaVista is to start with a word(s).

For this example, please double click on the above hyperlinked AltaVista and conduct a search for the word Spam.

Record the number of hits and review the first three hits. How did they differ from Yahoo?

Type in number of hits for AltaVista.
Type findings of first three hits found in a search engine search.

The most efficient way to use a metasearch engine such as Dogpile is to start with a word(s).

For this example, please double click on the above hyperlinked Dogpile and conduct a search for the word Spam.

How did these results differ from a "directory" search and from a "search engine" search?

Type in number of hits for Dogpile.
Type findings of hits found in a metasearch engine.

Which search tool do you think gave the most effective search results for the word Spam?

Yahoo! - directory
-or-
AltaVista - search engine
-or-
Dogpile - metasearch engine