Altavista: Required Terms

[Sarah Nesbeitt, Maxwell Library]

I've noticed something odd when performing a simple query in AltaVista -
specifically when specifying that terms be required in the search results
by preceding them with a + sign.  The AltaVista help file states that
terms will be required in search results by using a + before them, or
removed when preceded by a - (minus sign).  However, search results don't
bear this out; in fact, it acts as if no sign was placed in front of the terms
at all.

Example:  The search "+nesbeitt" retrieves 468 documents.  (I realize these
numbers aren't exact.)

The search "+nesbeitt +library" retrieves approximately "3000 documents."

The search "+nesbeitt +library +bridgewater" retrieves approximately "30000
documents."   Etc.  You'd think that forcing more required terms would narrow 
the search, not widen it.

As far as I can tell, I'm entering search terms correctly according to the
example they include in the help file.  Does anyone have any idea why this 
happens?

The Advanced Query page, in which one includes AND in between the search
terms, performs the search correctly.

Am I missing something?

Sarah
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarah L. Nesbeitt                        
Reference Librarian                      E-mail: snesbeitt at bridgew.edu
The Clement C. Maxwell Library                   nesbeitt at alumni.sils.umich.edu
Bridgewater State College                Voice:  (508) 279-6153
Bridgewater, MA  02325  USA