Web Search Exercises

Web search engines may permit several different kinds of search, from a general search for documents with words in a given list, to searches using a Boolean expression, to searches constrained within some hierarchy of documents. (For example, a user might limit the search to the college directory of the football directory of the sports directory.) For each of the following queries, investigate the response of at least two different Web search engines, using both open and constrained types of searches. To properly compare the searches, note the following information:

• the name of the search engine,
• the type of search done,
• any special features used,
• the number of documents identified,
• the number of document surrogates you examined,
• the number of documents you examined,
• the number of relevant documents you found,
• the time required to complete the search,
• your impression of the search engine (user satisfaction).

Do you think that other (better) documents were not found? Should the search have been done without using the Web, and why?

1. A person flying from Pittsburgh to the Orient must stop overnight in Los Angeles due to plane connections. Find an inexpensive motel near the Los Angeles airport.

2. Find the schedule for Braathens SAFE flights from Molde, Norway to Oslo, and the prices.

3. Find information on the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in the southeastern United States--what is available, where, the cost, and so forth.

4. What international regulations govern the collecting and shipping of rare or endangered plants such as orchids?

5. The user wishes to purchase a new small car, and wants information on those containing dual air bags. Only official information from the manufacturer will be accepted, not magazine or other secondhand reports.

6. Find information about the programs and costs of fitness facilities in or near Keokuk, Iowa.

7. What air fares are available for travel between New York and Oslo? What restrictions apply?

8. The user believes that the University of Washington has a home page on the Web. How does she find the URL for its political science department?

9. The user wants to buy some home financial software. Find information about five good systems, including their capabilities, costs, system requirements, and how they can be purchased.

10. The user is not fully satisfied with his Internet service. Find information about the alternatives that are available, including cost and services offered.