Implementation of Meta-Search Engine by: Antony pranata

Motivation Most Internet users use search engines to find information on the Web. Explore the idea behind meta-search engines. Build a “new” client-side meta-search engine  SimpleFind (

What are Search Engines? Search engines are interactive tools to help people locate information available via the World Wide Web. Search engines are actually databases that contain references to thousands of resources. Search engines provide interfaces between the users and the underlying databases.

Types of Search Engines Robot-Driven Search Engines. –Example: AltaVista, Excite, HotBot, Lycos. Web Directory Services Search Engines. –Example: Yahoo!, Snap, LookSmart. Meta-Search Engines. –Example: MetaCrawler, Mamma, SavvySearch.

How do People Find New Web Sites? Source: GVU Center at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Search Engines Used Source: GVU Center at Georgia Institute of Technology.

Why do We Need Meta-Search Engines? Each search engine provides its own database, interface, and special features. Each search engine collects resources differently, therefore the same query typed into several search engines is likely to produce different results. Most search engines contain less that 20% of the data on the Web.

What are Meta-Search Engines? Meta-search engines search the databases of other search engines and directories. Meta-search engine don’t create their own databases of information. The results are the compilation of all search engine queried.

What is SimpleFind? A “new” client-side meta-search engine implemented in my thesis. Developed with C++Builder + STL + ICS. Minimum system requirements: PC Pentium with Win95/98/2000, 32 MB RAM, 2 MB HD, and Internet connection.

Features of SimpleFind Currently supports seven major search engines, AltaVista, Excite, HotBot, Infoseek (Go), Lycos, WebCrawler, and Yahoo! Send the query to multiple search engines simultaneously. Duplicated links are merged into one link. Customizable sort method.

Features of SimpleFind Save the results as SimpleFind format, HTML files, or CSV. Customizable search engines.Customizable search engines Support AND, OR, and NOT operator as well as + and - operator. Customizable title and description weight.

Company Name Test

Company Name Test (Query: satelindo) Test was conducted on January 15, 2000

Company Name Test (Query: toefl) Test was conducted on January 15, 2000

Company Name Test (Query: inprise) Test was conducted on January 15, 2000

Company Name Test (Query: nokia) Test was conducted on January 15, 2000

Company Name Test (Query: gadjah mada university) Test was conducted on January 15, 2000

Phrase Test

Phrase Test Phrase Test (Query: indonesia programmer) Test was conducted on August 1, 1999

Phrase Test Phrase Test (Query: tip trick delphi programming) Test was conducted on August 1, 1999

Phrase Test (Query: download free mp3 music) Test was conducted on January 15, 2000

Reality Check SimpleFind has been distributed and tested by more than 100 users world wide. “Amazing program. One of the most cogently designed, effective web utility programs developed to date.” (William P. Welty, M.Div., Executive Director of The ISV Foundation)

SimpleFind Distribution

Summary Meta search engines is useful for saving time in searching multiple search engines at once. Searching with meta-search engines is not always give the best results, however starting to search a query with meta-search engines is recommended.

Further Development The list of search engines can be added by modifying SimpleFind.ini file  Google, GoTo, Northern Light, etc.SimpleFind.ini file The program can be improved to search other information, such as address (WhoWhere, Four11), software (TuCows, Download, HotFiles), etc.

Thank you Antony Pranata