| Computers have become a way of life for
| |
| | big ideas from a team of experts with
|
| people around the world. They are used to
| |
| | fascination for keeping track of
|
| research term papers, check weather
| |
| | information (28). During the spring of
|
| forecasts, track military progress,
| |
| | 1995, scientists at Digital Equipment
|
| exchange ideas (blogs and chat) and to
| |
| | Corporation's Research lab in Palo Alto,
|
| find the cheapest price on items etc. It
| |
| | CA, devised a way to store every word of
|
| is no surprise that as the computer age
| |
| | every HTML page on the internet in a fast
|
| takes hold computer usage has increased.
| |
| | searchable index (28). This led to
|
| The number of websites that are being
| |
| | AltaVista's development of the first
|
| developed on the World Wide Web is
| |
| | searchable, full text database on the
|
| growing at an ever increasing exponential
| |
| | World Wide Web (28). Compaq became the
|
| amount. And because we live in a
| |
| | owner of AltaVista after it purchased
|
| quick-fix society, with limited time on
| |
| | Digital in 1998. AltaVista was later spun
|
| our hands, we need something to make
| |
| | off into a private company, controlled by
|
| surfing the web a lot easier, something
| |
| | CMGI. Overture, purchased the AltaVista
|
| that will sort out all this influx of
| |
| | in April 2003, eventually Overture became
|
| information into a logical order.Hence
| |
| | part of Yahoo which led to the ownership
|
| the wonder of search engines, which have
| |
| | transfer of AltaVista to Yahoo (29).
|
| transformed the meaning of search and has
| |
| | AltaVista Canada was launched in January
|
| made our jobs easier. This paper focuses
| |
| | of 1998. Over 1,500,000 unique users
|
| on search engine case studies around the
| |
| | visited the site and traffic to the site
|
| world. Different search engine regions
| |
| | grew by over 300% within the first year
|
| selected for research in this paper were:
| |
| | of its launch. AltaVista Canada was a
|
| American, European, Canadian, Australian
| |
| | result of an agreement between TELUS
|
| and the UK.American Search
| |
| | advertising Services and Compaq Computer
|
| EnginesIntroductionAs of January 1, 2004
| |
| | Corp.'s AltaVista Search Service
|
| the estimated human population of the
| |
| | (30).General InformationAltaVista was the
|
| United States of America was 292,287,428
| |
| | first to deliver internet's first Web
|
| and there were 164,100,000 computers (1).
| |
| | Index in 1995. It was also the first in
|
| An estimated 90,000,000 households have
| |
| | offering multilingual search capabilities
|
| access to internet (2). With this many
| |
| | on the internet and to launch image,
|
| people surfing the web, curiosity might
| |
| | audio and video search capabilities. It
|
| cause one to wonder about the search
| |
| | has been awarded 61 search-related
|
| engines being used in America. Two of the
| |
| | patents, more than any other internet
|
| most popular and well known search
| |
| | search company (28). AltaVista is great
|
| engines in America are Google and Yahoo.
| |
| | for international sites. It will find
|
| Although most people have a preference to
| |
| | sites not only in English on a topic, but
|
| one or the other search engine it is
| |
| | in just about every language imaginable.
|
| difficult to say one is truly better than
| |
| | In case the user isn't bilingual, Alta
|
| the other as the quality of search is
| |
| | Vista also includes a very handy
|
| similar. According to some users, Google
| |
| | translation tool (31).AltaVista Canada
|
| is the most powerful search engine in the
| |
| | HomepageThe homepage of AltaVista offers
|
| world (3). However, others users argue
| |
| | users various convenient and easy to use
|
| that between the two search engines,
| |
| | features. The homepage houses Canadian
|
| "There is an imperceptible difference in
| |
| | web index of more than 14,000,000 pages.
|
| the quality and relevancy of results."
| |
| | It allows you to search worldwide or
|
| (3).History of GoogleGoogle, was created
| |
| | within Canada. For the convenience of
|
| by two Stanford University students. The
| |
| | its users, AltaVista Canada provides a
|
| original name was BackRub but by 1998 the
| |
| | feature to select a language in which to
|
| name had been changed to Google and it
| |
| | present the results of its search.
|
| became a private company (4). A Googol is
| |
| | AltaVista provides a toolbar which is
|
| (10100), the word Google was created as a
| |
| | free, customizable and gives the user the
|
| variation (5). Some argue that Google is
| |
| | research tools to perform searches and
|
| the top search engine in the world and
| |
| | translations from their own browser
|
| indeed it has become so popular that it
| |
| | anywhere on the web. Popup blocker
|
| is now known as a verb (5).General
| |
| | feature on the toolbar gets rid of
|
| InformationGoogle has grown from indexing
| |
| | annoying pop-ups. The "Web search"
|
| 25,000,000 pages in November of 1998 to
| |
| | searches within all AltaVista indexes,
|
| 4,285,199,774 pages in of June 2004 (6).
| |
| | including the best image search on the
|
| Google is a crawler based search engine,
| |
| | web. The homepage also provides specific
|
| meaning that the search engine sends out
| |
| | features that help you narrow your search
|
| crawlers which automatically visit sites,
| |
| | for only images, music files, videos,
|
| follow links and create indexes which are
| |
| | news and directory based on specific
|
| then searchable (7). Google is currently
| |
| | topic. "Advanced search" option provides
|
| in a legal battle with the court systems
| |
| | different features for search options
|
| to keep its name out of the dictionary
| |
| | e.g., phrase, keywords, date, file type,
|
| (5). Google was the first major search
| |
| | location and sites per page
|
| engine to index non-HTML web content
| |
| | option.History of AOL CanadaAOL Canada
|
| allowing PDF files to be accessed (8).
| |
| | Inc. is a leading interactive service
|
| Google also offers services such as
| |
| | company focused on enhancing Canadians
|
| "cached" links that allows a user to view
| |
| | online user experience. The company is a
|
| older versions of pages. Other features
| |
| | strategic alliance between American
|
| include spell check, dictionary
| |
| | Online, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary
|
| definitions, integration of stock quotes,
| |
| | of Time Warner and RBC Royal Bank, the
|
| street maps, and telephone numbers
| |
| | personal and commercial banking division
|
| (4).Google HomepageThe home page offers a
| |
| | of RBC Financial, one of North America's
|
| user many convenient features. Google has
| |
| | leading diversified financial services
|
| an easy to use tool bar that users can
| |
| | companies. This alliance took place on
|
| download onto their personal computers
| |
| | July, 1999. The company operates three
|
| (3). If a user wants to search
| |
| | interactive online services tailored to
|
| specifically for pictures the "Images"
| |
| | the Canadian marketplace, AOL English and
|
| button will give them access to the
| |
| | French services, CompuServe and Netscape
|
| entire web but only those results
| |
| | Online as well as several leading
|
| containing images will show up. The
| |
| | Internet brands including AOL.CA, AOL
|
| "Groups" button allows users to
| |
| | Canada Search, AOL Instant Messenger
|
| participate in discussions that are
| |
| | (AIM), Netscape.ca and MapQuest
|
| taking place on Usenet newsgroups. The
| |
| | (32).General InformationMembers of AOL
|
| "News" button will provide headline news
| |
| | Canada Inc. have an added advantage. In
|
| stories and you can have news alerts on
| |
| | addition to regular Web access, clients
|
| specific subjects sent directly to your
| |
| | may choose to surf inside of the AOL
|
| email."Froogle" is a simple, easy way for
| |
| | environment, which is only available to
|
| a user to search for a bargain or even a
| |
| | AOL Canada Inc. members. Inside the AOL
|
| specific item online. The "more" link
| |
| | environment, members receive a great deal
|
| provides access to human-compiled
| |
| | of Canadian content that has been
|
| information from the "Directory", allows
| |
| | streamlined to meet their needs. Surfing
|
| a user to get travel information or even
| |
| | on the World Wide Web can sometimes be
|
| simply use a calculator. The "Advanced
| |
| | overwhelming and frustrating due to the
|
| Search" will allow a user to limit a
| |
| | excessive amount of information
|
| search to PDFs or .edu search results.
| |
| | available. AOL Canada Inc. has chosen the
|
| "Preferences" allows customization of
| |
| | most popular channels and listed them on
|
| Google services. "Language Tools" will
| |
| | the Channel Menu, each channel offering
|
| translate any website or article into an
| |
| | an abundant amount of information
|
| understandable language. If you're
| |
| | provided by AOL Canada Inc. and their
|
| curious about Advertising, Business
| |
| | partners on that particular topic
|
| Solutions or about Google, click below
| |
| | (33).Homepage of AOL CanadaAOL Canada's
|
| the search box on one of the links. The
| |
| | homepage presents a variety of features
|
| "I'm Feeling Lucky" button will take a
| |
| | to make search and web surfing easier for
|
| user directly to the first page result of
| |
| | its users. Some features presented on
|
| their search and not show any other
| |
| | its main page are: a sign in for AOL
|
| pages. Google lists its sponsored links
| |
| | instant messenger, mail, parental
|
| separately from its general search
| |
| | control, reminders and calendar etc. It
|
| results.History of YahooYahoo, was
| |
| | has a section for "Shopping online" which
|
| created in 1994 (4). Most people are
| |
| | gives its users an option to choose the
|
| familiar with the phrase, "Do You Yahoo?"
| |
| | specific item they are shopping for.
|
| created as a Yahoo advertising
| |
| | "Web channels" feature gives users a
|
| slogan.General InformationIn 2004 Yahoo
| |
| | chance to search the web for careers,
|
| is believed to be indexing about 3
| |
| | auto, entertainment, health news, sports
|
| billion pages (9). Yahoo is the oldest
| |
| | etc. It also contains a section for
|
| directory, "relying on human editors to
| |
| | yellow and white pages search. Users can
|
| organize web sites into categories"
| |
| | search for people or places in this
|
| however, Yahoo decided to make a giant
| |
| | section. AOL Canada search, which is
|
| shift towards crawler based listings in
| |
| | powered by Google, gives users a chance
|
| October of 2002 (4). Yahoo previously
| |
| | to search by topic or key words. The
|
| relied on Google for search results but
| |
| | "Advanced search" feature only has
|
| in February of 2004 Yahoo created its own
| |
| | options for words and phrases rather than
|
| search technology (4). "It is important
| |
| | file type or specific sites e.g. .edu or
|
| to note the new search engine is for web
| |
| | .org. Search results include "Sponsored
|
| results only. Image search is still
| |
| | links" and matching sites. It also has a
|
| powered by Google, and News search is a
| |
| | "devices" tab where AOL offers Palm
|
| combination of Yahoo's own editorial and
| |
| | Organizers. Other information included
|
| technological resources." (10). Yahoo has
| |
| | on the homepage is company information,
|
| many of the same features Google provides
| |
| | news, pricing plans, employment and
|
| such as "cashed" links, spell check,
| |
| | contact information.Australian Search
|
| dictionary, yellow pages, and mapping
| |
| | EngineIntroductionAlthough the internet
|
| programs. Yahoo also provides email
| |
| | is globally accessible, the majority of
|
| services for free as long as the user
| |
| | its users reside in the more developed
|
| doesn't mind sharing the page with
| |
| | nations where computer usage is most
|
| advertisements. In fact, Yahoo's
| |
| | common. Australia has a high percentage
|
| knowledge and experience from the email
| |
| | of computer usage which resulted in
|
| services are believed to be helpful in
| |
| | increased usage of the internet and
|
| providing Yahoo with a deeper
| |
| | development of search engines. The
|
| understanding of spam and an ability to
| |
| | Australian population is currently
|
| keep it out of their web page index
| |
| | 20,141,793 (34) with 10,600,000 (35)
|
| (10).Yahoo HomepageYahoo's home page is
| |
| | computer users. Of which 9,240,000 (24)
|
| cluttered compared to the simple format
| |
| | have internet access.History of Web
|
| of Google. Yahoo has the typical advanced
| |
| | WombatAs computers were being integrated
|
| search options and preferences allowing
| |
| | into Australian businesses and homes,
|
| for customization of features. To the
| |
| | companies, such as Web Wombat, began to
|
| right of the search box is a pull tab
| |
| | develop search engines to make
|
| that allows a user to limit their search
| |
| | information more accessible to
|
| to the web, images, yellow pages, news,
| |
| | Australians and the world. As the
|
| or product information. A user can look
| |
| | internet grew and more pages began to be
|
| up movie times, send yahoo greetings,
| |
| | indexed, Web Wombat turned its focus
|
| search for a house, or find travel
| |
| | inward on Australia (36). This strategy
|
| information, just to name a few things.
| |
| | proved to be very successful as evident
|
| Yahoo's website directory has sites
| |
| | by the fact that today Web Wombat's
|
| organized by subjects such as, education,
| |
| | spiders crawl the web for new sites to
|
| science, health, and government. Towards
| |
| | add to its already vast cache of
|
| the bottom of the page is a list of local
| |
| | 100,000,000 web sites, making it
|
| Yahoo's. Who knew that there was a Yahoo
| |
| | Australia's leading search engine
|
| Singapore let alone a Yahoo Catalan. Like
| |
| | (37).Homepage of Web WombatWeb Wombat
|
| Google, Yahoo lists its sponsored links
| |
| | indexes and stores a tremendous amount of
|
| separately from its general search
| |
| | information and the way in which they
|
| results.European Search
| |
| | chose to present it is slightly different
|
| EnginesIntroductionThere are 44 nations
| |
| | than other search engines. The lay out of
|
| in the European region. These countries
| |
| | Web Wombat's home page is initially
|
| are home to 567,095,995 people, 9.33% of
| |
| | dominated by advertisements. To the left
|
| the world's population (11). Each of
| |
| | of the home page there is a box titled
|
| these countries has at least one regional
| |
| | "Premium links" which are not organized
|
| public search engine. Some of them have
| |
| | in any specific order. An example of this
|
| several (12). Booz-Allen & Hamilton, one
| |
| | is the fact that, of the twenty one
|
| of the United States' older and more
| |
| | listings within the box, there are three
|
| respected consulting firms conducted a
| |
| | separate links to car rental sites, two
|
| study which pointed out that "...22% of
| |
| | to hotels, and miscellaneous links to
|
| European households have access to the
| |
| | things such as online dating. This
|
| Internet" and in 2004 it is expected
| |
| | information would be more useful to
|
| that, "Western Europe should have more
| |
| | consumers if it were categorized in some
|
| than 215,000,000 users on the Internet on
| |
| | fashion within a directory or if it were
|
| at least a quarterly basis (13)."The
| |
| | displayed to the side of a related
|
| countries of Europe have been involved in
| |
| | search. Under the "Premium links" box is
|
| a long and complex process of European
| |
| | the "Daily resources box" which provides
|
| integration. The EU was formed 1
| |
| | links ranging from links to world
|
| November 1993 and is a union of 25
| |
| | newspapers to Grumpy's humor. At the top
|
| independent states (Appendix 1) (14). As
| |
| | of the page there are a number of
|
| one of its objectives; the EU has taken
| |
| | headings ranging from careers and
|
| on the challenge of integrating member
| |
| | education to auctions.The interesting
|
| states and surrounding countries to
| |
| | thing is that when you click on auctions
|
| provide them with stable Internet and
| |
| | it takes you directly to au. However, the
|
| E-commerce development and growth (15).
| |
| | careers and education tab is far more
|
| Alltheweb and Ezilon are two of the many
| |
| | objective. This link provides a menu on
|
| search engine companies that are seeking
| |
| | the left with a variety of helpful links
|
| to capitalize on the opportunity provided
| |
| | and then articles with links in the
|
| by the EU integration.History of
| |
| | center of the page. The "Search" field is
|
| AllthewebFast Search and Transfer (Fast)
| |
| | displayed in the center of the page
|
| ASA started business operations in 1997
| |
| | however; it is not very prominent once
|
| in Oslo, Norway. In June 2001 they went
| |
| | barraged by ads, premium links and
|
| public. Fast is an outgrowth of academic
| |
| | advertisements. The "Advanced search" has
|
| research and development from the
| |
| | an interesting feature which enables
|
| Norwegian University of Science and
| |
| | people to search by "nice to have words",
|
| Technology (16). Fast Search and
| |
| | "must have words", "nice to have phrase",
|
| Transfer launched Alltheweb in May 1999
| |
| | and the ability to eliminate certain
|
| and gave it the brand name of "Fast"
| |
| | words. This feature becomes very
|
| until 2001, when the site was redesigned
| |
| | convenient when a user wishes to narrow
|
| under the "Alltheweb" brand. Alltheweb,
| |
| | the results to a desired city under "nice
|
| then became a public search engine and
| |
| | to have words". By focusing the search in
|
| technology showcase for the Fast Search
| |
| | such a way, the information delivered is
|
| Company (17). In February of 2003,
| |
| | made more relevant without eliminating
|
| Overture announced they would purchase
| |
| | too many possible matches. Another nice
|
| Alltheweb from Fast. The acquisition,
| |
| | feature is that "Advanced search" enables
|
| coupled with their previous announcement
| |
| | people to specifically search all
|
| to purchase the AltaVista Company, helped
| |
| | Australian pages, Australian government
|
| Overture to bolster their leadership in
| |
| | sites, or Australian educational pages.UK
|
| commercial search and aligned the company
| |
| | Search EnginesIntroductionThe population
|
| to create the most comprehensive search
| |
| | of UK as of July 2004 is 60,270,708 with
|
| capability on the Internet (18). Yahoo!
| |
| | 25,000,000 internet users (24). There
|
| Corporation bought Overture on October 7,
| |
| | are approximately 40 top Search engines
|
| 2003 to fortify itself for an eventual
| |
| | in the UK; some of them are familiar to
|
| showdown with Google and Microsoft
| |
| | the United Stated such as Google, Yahoo
|
| (19).General InformationAlltheweb now has
| |
| | and Overture. These search engines are
|
| all of the indexing power of Google.
| |
| | custom suited to have optional searches,
|
| Through the acquisition process,
| |
| | whether regional searches within the UK
|
| Alltheweb has increased its prowess to
| |
| | or on the Entire World Wide Web. Some
|
| become a leader in the search engine
| |
| | search engines within the UK are more
|
| community throughout Europe (19). Its
| |
| | specialized; where you have to pay a
|
| employees strive to help Yahoo provide
| |
| | subscription to use that particular
|
| the best public search engine not just in
| |
| | search engine, for example UK Plus and UK
|
| Europe, but the world.Alltheweb
| |
| | Index. And some search engines like Great
|
| HomepagePulling up the Alltheweb homepage
| |
| | British Pages, only search for British
|
| (20) the user is provided with a simple
| |
| | websites (39). Being a developed country,
|
| and easy to navigate site. Alltheweb
| |
| | it is not surprising that the UK has a
|
| homepage contains five tabs: web, news,
| |
| | large number of search engines. The
|
| pictures, video and audio. However, the
| |
| | following section of the paper is focused
|
| user has to search for a specific topic
| |
| | on UK originated search engines.History
|
| to find information in these categories
| |
| | of ExciteExcite was originally formed in
|
| rather than information being available
| |
| | 1993 by five Stanford university
|
| for them on the site. All "sponsored
| |
| | graduates who called their search engine
|
| links" are viewed to the right of the
| |
| | Architext. This was further developed by
|
| page where they are available if desired.
| |
| | students attending Stanford and in 1994
|
| Only after glancing through all of the
| |
| | Excite Inc. came about and was launched
|
| paid links does the viewer come to the
| |
| | in 1995. Excite only acquired a web
|
| most relevant search returns. On
| |
| | crawler in November 1996 and over the
|
| completion of a search for a topic the
| |
| | years they added features and software
|
| user is provided with an option to
| |
| | and the option of search on the World
|
| "Refine your search" which provides
| |
| | Wide Web. Regional search engines such as
|
| further subcategories on the topic.
| |
| | Excite UK were added to their search
|
| Other features offered on Alltheweb are
| |
| | engine. Excite has an index of
|
| the ability to filter potential offensive
| |
| | 250,000,000 pages and multimedia items in
|
| content, restrict the number of results
| |
| | 2000 and about 19,000,000 monthly users
|
| per page, highlight search terms, change
| |
| | (40).General InformationUsing a specific
|
| text size, and the ability to open search
| |
| | UK search engine such as Excite UK can be
|
| results in a new window. You can select
| |
| | beneficial. Excite UK will limit your
|
| up to 8 preferred languages from a list
| |
| | search geographically and the users
|
| of 36.History of search engine was
| |
| | results will come out in a smaller scale
|
| founded to allow individuals and
| |
| | providing more relevant results (41). If
|
| companies around the world to access
| |
| | a user in the UK wants to find out about
|
| information easily, particularly by the
| |
| | local news or check the stock of UK
|
| EU community. (21) The Ezilon homepage
| |
| | companies a regional search engine will
|
| states that is a European Union
| |
| | provide more relevant information.Excite
|
| International Search Engine and
| |
| | HomepageFeatures of Excite UK are
|
| Directory. (22)General InformationEzilon
| |
| | different compared to the usual "dot com"
|
| search engine provides a searchable
| |
| | American search engines. The Excite UK
|
| directory for European websites ranging
| |
| | search engine homepage has the search box
|
| from Europe travel links, business,
| |
| | in a prominent position at the top of the
|
| hotels, news and classified ads and most
| |
| | page with options located below to search
|
| especially links from the Western
| |
| | the World Wide Web or only UK sites. In
|
| European countries. They also accept
| |
| | this respect it is a dual search engine
|
| listings for non EU websites, but they
| |
| | (UK and World Wide Web) (40, 42). Excite
|
| must have contents of interest to the EU
| |
| | UK has a General User Interface (GUI)
|
| or general Europe. (23)Ezilon
| |
| | which is very busy, meaning that it has a
|
| HomepageEzilon homepage has immediately
| |
| | lot of information on its homepage
|
| accessible information on it. Unlike
| |
| | ranging from UK news headlines and
|
| other websites which present "Sponsored
| |
| | images, UK stocks, UK online shopping, UK
|
| links" Ezilon provides "Sponsored
| |
| | stores, standard horoscopes, local
|
| matches" prior to the search results.
| |
| | weather, a directory, and various other
|
| Ezilon's "Sponsored matches" can be
| |
| | services targeted for people living in
|
| viewed to the right of the page.Ezilon
| |
| | the UK (42). The Excite homepage is also
|
| specializes, through the guidance of the
| |
| | customizable, in that you are able to
|
| EU, in pooling and distributing
| |
| | change the color of the homepage (skins)
|
| information for the advancement of a
| |
| | according to your favorite color or to
|
| united Europe. Other convenient features
| |
| | the colors of your favorite football
|
| available to users are: popular links,
| |
| | team. Besides just searching the web on
|
| weather forecast and headline news.
| |
| | Excite, you can search using "Categories"
|
| Various categories are available for
| |
| | for images, videos, mp3s, news, and
|
| search e.g., art, science, business,
| |
| | people. The excite UK homepage also has a
|
| technology etc. Users have an option to
| |
| | currency calculator under the "Tools"
|
| search the EU, UK or the World. In
| |
| | section. Excite UK displays minimum
|
| addition to all above mentioned features
| |
| | advertising. When a user clicks on the
|
| free email is provided to members of
| |
| | "More" button different subcategories
|
| Ezilon.Canadian Search
| |
| | within a search can be selected
|
| EnginesIntroductionAs of July 1, 2004
| |
| | (43).ConclusionSearch engines have become
|
| estimated population of Canada is
| |
| | an integral part of internet use for the
|
| 32,247,874 with 16,19,000 internet users
| |
| | average computer user. As more
|
| (24). Canada today stands at the number 7
| |
| | information becomes accessible on the
|
| position among countries with internet
| |
| | internet, the need for credible search
|
| users (25). There are 13 provinces and
| |
| | engines increases. As Professor
|
| territories in Canada and the usage of
| |
| | Krishnamurthy stated in class, the amount
|
| search engines varies by these provinces
| |
| | of content available on the internet has
|
| and territories (26). This section will
| |
| | grown exponentially in recent years and
|
| focus on only two of the top five most
| |
| | as it grows people's search cost will
|
| commonly used Canadian Search Engines:
| |
| | increase unless search technology
|
| AltaVista Canada and AOL Canada (27).
| |
| | improves (38). Throughout the world,
|
| The following sections will provide a
| |
| | internet users are provided with various
|
| brief history, general information and
| |
| | search engines that offer different
|
| information about the homepages of these
| |
| | features depending on their user needs.
|
| two search engines.History of AltaVista
| |
| | The fulfillment of these needs result in
|
| CanadaAltaVista, which means "a view from
| |
| | the success of search engines around the
|
| above," was inspired by the creation of
| |
| | world.
|
