Feb. 15, 2001
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Overall Strengths |
Overall Weaknesses |
Bottom Line |
| AltaVista |
Great tool for locating images and other multimedia elements. |
Busy screen and commercial aspects not great for schools.
Different search terms in main and advanced screens made it hard to learn the ropes.
Inconsistent use of Boolean commands makes searches unpredictable.
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Good for multimedia searches, but beyond that better search tools are available elsewhere. |
| Ask Jeeves |
Easy to learn and use.
Category options generally led to some high-quality sites.
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Does not work well for locating obscure information or searching deep within a site. |
Best when you're beginning research on a large topic. Good way of locating a few good sites. If you're trying to locate something more specific, this is not the tool for you. |
| Excite |
Simple search screens with quick and effective searches.
Once you've begun searching, no need to keep returning to the top level to refine searches or search results.
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Lacks some of the more advanced search features for narrowing in on particular types of sites. |
Solid, straightforward search tool. One to bookmark and use whenever simplicity and efficiency are more important than bells and whistles. |
| Go |
Lots of display options, all accessible and laid out clearly. Easy to turn choices on and off.
GO Guide sites and rating system were often helpful.
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With the narrowest searches (only two or three pages of matches), I couldn't get to the final results page.
Puzzling results at times: complex Boolean searches and relevance rankings didn't seem to work as well as they should have.
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Best at broad searches, where ratings and category choices help lead to good sites. In spite of an appealing interface, too many search glitches to be ranked with the best of the search tools. |
| Google |
Uncluttered screens with no ads.
Ranking system and automatic AND search make it easy to narrow in quickly on relevant sites.
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Not easy to override default search criteria. |
Overall, a great search engine with lots of helpful options. Highly recommended. |
| HotBot |
Access to menu choices without having to visit an advanced search screen is very helpful.
Main and advanced search screens are both clean and easy to use, without distracting ads or choices.
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Be wary of "featured listings" and "Top 10" results that may or may not be relevant. |
Powerful, easy-to-use menus, clean interface, and effective search routines all make this an excellent option-if you overlook the limitations above. |
| Lycos |
Easy to separate commercial aspects from others.
Highlighting of search matches helpful when it occurs.
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Lack of grouping and inconsistent use of Boolean operators make it hard to narrow in tightly when the search topic is broad.
Few clear explanations of how things work.
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Of the two Lycos search tools, HotBot is a stronger option. Lycos.com is worth using occasionally to see if any helpful "popular" choices pop up. |
| Northern Light |
Many powerful and unusual features that are surprisingly easy to use.
Folders and the ability to specify types of sources were both helpful.
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Not easy to go back and forth between basic and advanced search or to override the OR default to narrow the search.
The array of choices and business options could make it daunting for younger users. (In spite of the friendly interface, there's a learning curve.)
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Recommended for older students and adults hoping to conduct comprehensive searches. |
| Yahoo |
Well known for its extensive directory, which can be used on its own or in conjunction with a search. |
Busy search screen with commercial aspects not great for schools.
Hard to clear search and start again.
Advanced search only for Yahoo! directory sites.
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A good all-around tool. Combines many of the strengths of Google with an extensive directory. Too bad the interface is not smoother and less cluttered. |
