1. Types Pros & cons

2.  A program for the retrieval of data, files, or documents from a database or network, esp. the Internet.  Search engines usually have what’s called an algorithm, or a series of steps, which direct the program to organize information in a certain way. These may be patented and very protected.

3.  A browser is a software application used for retrieving, presenting, or utilizing information on the internet. Examples of Browsers are: Explorer, Firefox (Mozilla), and Google Chrome.

4.  The search engine finds the pages within the database; the database is the actual collection of pages and materials.  SO, you need a browser, such as Explorer, to access the Internet and you need an engine, such as Google, to help you find the database.  Most databases then in turn run off of their own engine, such as EBSCOhost, which will have specialized search capabilities.

5.  A search service consists of three components:  (1) A compiling mechanism: a spider, a program that traverses the Web from link to link  (2) an index, a database containing a copy of each Web page gathered by the compiler  (3) a search engine mechanism, software (or algorithm) that enables users to query the index and that returns results in a schematic order ( “Subject Directories”).

6.  The initial search engines on the web were directory search engines. These catalog sites by type, similar to an encyclopedia or library filing system. For example, a horse website may be under a “Animals" category and in a “Pets" sub- category. This method creates a hierarchy that allows the search engine user to browse through related content. Yahoo! is a hierarchical search engine. Technically, it is a web directory.

7.  Search engines and web directories are not the same thing; although the term "search engine" often is used interchangeably. Search engines automatically create web site listings by using spiders that "crawl" web pages, index their information, and optimally follow that site's links to other pages. Spiders return to already-crawled sites on a pretty regular basis in order to check for updates or changes, and everything that these spiders find goes into the search engine database.

8.  On the other hand, Web directories are databases of human-compiled results. Web directories are also known as human- powered search engines (Boswell).  Again, Yahoo! is one of these types, while Google is the latter, a “crawler” and page- indexer.

9.  Because they are compiled in such different fashions, your search should be more accurate in a directory or hierarchical search, because the relevance will have been considered.  Page indexers such as Google just look for the word (s) without regard for category or classification. That’s why you get hits that seem crazy. Google is pretty dang good though.

10.  LEXXE LEXXE  In this type of engine, you can theoretically use natural language to search for results, such as “ How many people live in India?”

11.  These engines are sometimes called aggregates, as they search two or more engines for you at one time.  Twingine will search BING (MSN) and Yahoo! For you side by side: Twingine  Dogpile searches multiple engines, such as Google and Yahoo, at the same time. Dogpile

12.  Subject Engines are essentially directories that compile materials for a specific area or discipline.  Internet Public Library Internet Public Library  For obvious reasons of relevancy, these are a good choice.

13.  Kidsclick Kidsclick  Googleforkid Googleforkid  Awesomelibrary Awesomelibrary  IPLforkids IPLforkids

14.  Summary and places to explore in the event you are becoming a research hound:  Berkeley Berkeley

15.  1. The Internet isn’t just a quagmire of stuff if you know where and how to look.  2. You can be an expert and help other students use the library more effectively.

16.  Boswell, Wendy. “Human-Powered Search Engines.” About.com Web Search. The New York Times News Company, 2012. Web. 25 July, 2012.  “Subject Directories.” J. Conrad Dunagan Library at University of Texas, Permian Basin. University of Texas of the Permian Basin, 2014. 19 September, 2013. Web. 25 July, 2014.