Access to all search engines should be provided, of course, but I recommend those listed below as default starting places in the settings indicated.
[CAVEAT: Using one search engine is never enough.]
K-8 Open Access Workstations:
Yahoo!
This search engine requires little point-of-use training or coaching.
Although the Yahoo! search engine indexes are not the most comprehensive among the
top eight, the search interface is very simple and the search defaults are set appropriately
to handle almost natural language type queries likely to be entered by students in this
age range. The search interface also permits direct access to Yahoo!'s excellent directory to the
Internet. This may obviate the need for a search since a student may find an appropriate
category and wish to browse rather than searching. Finally, a search which engages one or
more of Yahoo!'s directory categories will discover the most relevant sites within a few mouse
clicks.
Excite!
The Excite! search engine is consistently ranked among the top four on all measures.
The directories are fairly comprehensive. The search interface is attractive, simple and offers powerful
search options. Defaults are set to handle almost natural language queries. The use of Boolean operators,
proximity operators, bound phrases, nesting and term weighting are supported. Excite! is the only
search engine that currently supports a "find more like this" option.
Infoseek
The Infoseek search engine ranks at the top by most measures. The
interface is elegantly simple and attractive. Infoseek's Internet directory appears
below the search form, which may obviate the need for a search if the student finds
an appropriate category listed, but Yahoo!'s directory is superior. The Infoseek
indexes are among the most comprehensive on the Net. The search engine ranks very highly
in both return and relevancy on the widest variety of genres. Fuzzy logic used by this
engine claims to be able to interpret natural language queries. Full Boolean logic,
proximity, nesting, term weighting and fielded searching are permitted in the advanced features.
Bound phrases can be used. Online help is extensive and easy to follow which may help
to obviate the need for point-of-use training and coaching in busy reference settings.
Unlike many others, the tutorials also contain search interfaces to allow searching
from the tutorial pages. A very handy feature.
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