We agree that
Metacrawler is a useful
search tool and it is metioned in the online research
article in this issue entitled "Jump Start Your Online Research."
The previous article, "Effective Use of Search Engines" was
an overview article targeted only at particular search engines and
how to use them, so a mention of meta-search engines was not
appropriate in that context. In answer to your question as to why
one would spend the time to search several search engines, we will
point out that Metacrawler, as useful
as it is, cannot match the capabilities of the individual
source search engines when doing an advanced search.
Also, by using only meta-search engines you may miss out on sites
contained in the website review sections that
many of the major search engines provide. Thanks for writing!
--The Editors
Subject: Search Engines
Hello,
I enjoyed your article on search engines.
But didn't you forget a few?
(I find these are the best)Mamma.com, Inference.com/infind,
Savvy Search.
Joni
Colorado
jonifran@bewellnet.com
Dear Joni,
We agree that those particular search engines
you mention can be useful. Most people grow accustomed to
one or two of the search engines which they find the easiest
to use for their methods of searching.
Mamma.com searches through several
of the main search engines discussed
in the May, 1998 IWJ article. The drawback in using meta-search
engines, as discussed
above, is what you gain in speed of searching you may lose in depth
and detail on advanced searches.
Savvy Search is
another meta-search engine.
Metasearch and
DogPile are also effective meta-search engines. You might want to
give them a try if you're looking for something in a hurry.
Thanks for writing!
--The Editors
Subject: The Magazine
I would just like to say thank you for such a
wonderful writers' journal.
Each month is filled with fascinating insights -- I
have been particularly enjoying the articles by Alex Keegan.
Valerie Leveson
South Africa
vle@star.co.za
Dear Valerie,
Thank you for kind comments! And you are most welcome!
