Internet Search Engines

There are various search engines available online,some of the main ones in use are covered here.

A search engine allows a user to find something on the internet even if they do not know the web address or URL (Universal Resource Locator) ,as it is known. Web pages are found by matching a term entered into a text box and the search engine will return webpages which contain the term which has been entered.

Now search for a life on Google

Expanding: The Google Website

BY SUZY AUSTIN
IF YOU are too busy to get a life, you can now hunt for one on Google. A new venture from the Internet search engine will be able to tell users what job to take or suggest what they might do in their leisure time. It will be achieved by the website compiling even more personal data on its users. Eric Schmidt, Google's chief executive, said: 'We are very early in the total information we have within Google. The algorithms will get better and we will get better at personalisation. The goal is to enable Google users to be able to ask the question, such as "What shall I do tomorrow?" and "What job shall I take?" 'We cannot even answer the most basic questions because we don't know enough about you. 'That is the most important aspect of Google's expansion.' The iGoogle service, which allows users to personalise their own search page, would be a key feature. Another service allows the search engine to store the history of what users have searched for and clicked on. Also in the pipeline is Google Recommendations which will suggest products and services based on the preferences of users. Google insists that iGoogle and 'personalisation services' are optional. However, search engines are bauiing to create the most extensive database of information about individuals because it will allow them to offer personalised and better targeted adverts. Yahoo's Project Panama, unveiled this year, monitors user habits then targets them with adverts for products likely to interest them.

Spammers' attack shuts down Tiscali

BY JO STEELE
SPAMMERS have knocked out the e-mail service for thousands of subscribers to leading Internet provider Tiscali. Hackers broke through Tiscali's security to send out junk e-mails, leading to some other Internet service providers blocking all messages posted from its users. Unhappy Tiscali customers have bombarded the company's website asking why nothing 'bounced back' to tell them there had been a problem since last Thursday. One forum had 31 pages of angry messages yesterday. Tiscali said the problem affected people sending mails from their own computers as well as from the Tiscali webmail site. It also affects customers using different e-mail providers but who use it via a Tiscali connection. A spokesman said. 'Spam is a major issue for all ISPs and, periodically, all ISPs will be targeted by spammers. 'We, unfortunately, have currently fallen foul to such an attack and have been targeted by spammers using our service to send out spam. 'This, in turn, has meant other ISPs have taken measures to block mail being sent by Tiseali.' It will be several more days before the spammers are seen off and the company is advising customers to switch temporarily to an alternative free e-mail service. The company has 3.3million users in Britain and Italy, 1.7million of whom are on broadband.

Searching test for Net rivals

WIKIPEDIA is taking on Google by launching its own search facility. And the Internet encyclopaedia claims it will beat the world's most popular search engine by revealing how it determines which websites are given priority - something Google refuses to do. Jimmy Wales, who co-founded Wikipedia, hopes to take advantage of accusations that Google favours its advertising clients in search results, a claim the company denies. Google spokesman Jon Steinback said competition from Wikipedia was exciting and 'good for everybody'.

Points to remember about Internet Search Engines

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