[WEB4LIB] metasearch engines

[LINDA G RAMSEY]

I am very interested in the results of this discussion.  I use Inference
most of the time, but try to test other search engines (including
metasearch) regularly.  Inference seems to locate what we want fairly
well, but there are times when Alta Vista (usually Advanced), Dogpile or
Yahoo, etc. do better.

My feeling is that we are operating in a pretty 'fluid' environment.

Regards,

Linda Ramsey	   Assistant Director of Library Services
	  	   Learning Resources Center
		   Ozarks Technical Community College
		   PO BOX 5958	SPRINGFIELD  MO  65802	    417.895.7362


On Fri, 23 Oct 1998, Nicholas Tomaiuolo wrote:

> Dear Colleagues,
> Having used many search engines over a long time period, I am becoming
> more interested in metasearch engines (i.e., Dogpile, Metacrawler,
> Inference Find).  Because we possibly all agree that it is necessary to
> search more than one engine for the most comprehensive results, I am
> wondering why metasearch tools aren't used exclusively.
> 
> I have observed students at the college where I work using Lycos,
> InfoSeek, Yahoo, and AltaVista.  Once in awhile I'll see someone using
> Dogpile.  But I don't see the metasearch engines being used very
> extensively.
> 
> Could I elicit views and opinions from you addressing the
> appropriateness of metasearch engine versus single engine use?
> 
> Also, would the list care to comment on the features and advantages of
> the meta engines in general or any specifically?
> 
> I'd like to compile a list of addresses of as many metasearch engines as
> possible besides the three I've mentioned.  Can you help?
> 
> Thank you very much,
> Nick Tomaiuolo
> Central CT State University
> New Britain, CT 06050
> 860-832-2068
> 
>