inconsistencies web search performance

[j. y. c h e n]

well said, ernest!

I agree with nicholas that there is a vast gulf between information and its
seekers, exacerbated by inconsistent search tools and inexperienced users.
what we should keep in mind, though, is that there are 2 different issues
involved:  the cognitive information seeking behavior of users on the one
hand, and the development of databases/indexes on the other.

speaking from a search engine's perspective, what HotBot is trying to
develop is search tool that is powerful as well as easy to use.  it is true
that we are embarking on a new paradigm; we recognize that we are not and
cannot be a virtual library or even a commercial database.  the medium is
too dynamic and the technology does not allow it at this point.  compounded
is the fact that there is no bibliographic control on the web - any type of
standardization must be implemented top down by the governing bodies of the
web.  we are only the middle man in this venture.  the best we can do is to
catalog what we are given.  until that time, we can try to devise new and
inventive ways to search, to sharpen a rather blunt tool, so to speak, such
as searching by page type.  we do employ a librarian (myself), solicit
feedback from librarians in our tutorial program, and user test our
interface extensively.  we are also in contact with the Task Force for
Standardizing Search Commands, so we are making an effort at control and
consistency.

in the end, it is ultimately up to the user to decide what is useful or
relevant to him/her and whether a search engine is the appropriate tool.


>I'd like to make some observations:
>
>  ** Yes, there are inconsistencies in the indexing algorithms and
>search syntax/vocabulary. Just like there are lots of different brands
>of word processors or spreadsheets or automobiles. "That's the American
>way," or more broadly just the way of humans who think they have a
>better idea. Why not pick the one that appears to satisfy you best and
>leave it at that? Free market choice, etc.
>
>  ** Yes, these search engines are not as predictable and controlled as
>the old commercial database products. They are also products of a new
>information access paradigm. They use  software-intensive methods, not
>human-intensive judgment and expense. On the other hand, the search
>engine index surrogate is based upon the full content of source docs,
>and is NOT dependent upon a human's subjective judgment and a bizarre
>controlled vocabulary.
>
>  ** We can quibble about Search Engine X getting 22,000 hits vs. Search
>Engine Y getting 14,000 hits. So what, do you plan on examining all of
>them? These systems operate on presentation ranking algorithms, and they
>attempt to present relevant items first.  _I'm_ certainly not going to
>look at item #4,763, and I presume you aren't going to either.
>
>  ** Another part of the new paradigm is that the search engines are
>supported by advertising and software sales, and they are free (gasp) to
>end users. Not $nn per hour, or per hit, or $nnnn per year. Can anyone
>say that about "Dialog, BRS, STN and reliable CD ROM products"? (Or even
>newspapers, magazines, etc.) Given this shift in producer profit motive,
>which sources might you say are going to be more used by you, me, and
>the (wo)man on the street? I haven't got a spare $20 or $60 to use to
>satisfy every information need!
>
>  ** Some of the comments seem to question, "How can we stand to use
>these shoddy products?" My own reason for using them is that they tend
>to find me the information I want, quickly and easily and cheaply.  I
>agree, they ain't perfect. I use one or another, depending upon my whim,
>or which link is closer at hand. I am most comfortable and expert with
>Alta Vista. But, if I want to do an "exhaustive" scan, I use one of the
>"agent" tools, which searches multiple search engines, and tries to give
>you a synthesis of the resulting information retrieval sets.
>
>Finally, I attach below text taken from a recent message from John
>Creech, passed along to me by a colleague who I believe found it on
>another list.  It's really more on the topic of the "new model" of
>library information. But it also applies very much to this
>"inconsistencies" discussion that's been raging of late.
>
>Cheers,
>-ernest
>
>Ernest Perez, Ph.D.//Oregon State Library//perez at opac.osl.state.or.us
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
>
>
>
>> ... People don't want "all the
>> information that exists in the library."  Perennial patron behavior + free
>> choice = I want 1 book, 2 journal articles, 1 magazine and I want to get
>> the hell out of here.
>>
>> I came here recently from 2 years at Cal. State U., Monterey Bay, where we
>> were charged by Chancellor to stand this old educational paradigm on its
>> head.  We were ordered to deliver information electronically whenever
>> possible, and only to supplement with paper.  The intention from the
>> get-go was for students to retrieve full text from anywhere, to search
>> full text databases, to search cite and abs. databases, copy and paste the
>> citation into an electronic doc. delivery form, and send via Web page to
>> library ILL.  Patron might have to come into lib. only to pick up
>> photocopies and books to check out.
>>
>> While we have much larger print collections here, we're moving (albeit
>> more slowly) in similar directions.  It is not my job to make miniature
>> librarians out of students who come in. If they want to learn more about
>> conducting comprehensive research, I'm here, willing...yea even eager,
>> to help. That's a key part of my job.
>>
>> But I do not believe for a minute that I'm not doing my job if I don't
>> show them everything that's in the library - bibliographies, NUC, Lib. of
>> Am. Civilization, etc.
>>
>> John Creech
>> Electronic Resources Librarian & Asst. Head of Reference | Central
>Washington
>> University Library | 400 E. 8th Ave. | Ellensburg, WA 98926 | 509-963-1081 |
>> jcreech at mumbly.lib.cwu.edu |


___________________________________

j. y.  chen | hotbot  tutor | WIRED  d i g i t a l
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