The Latest News and Views from the Richland College Library

Search Engine Freshness Showdown

Thanks to research recently conducted by Greg Notess (Internet Librarian Hall of Famer and creator of Search Engine Showdown), we now know which search engine databases contain the "freshest" data. ("Freshness" refers to how recently a search engine has crawled the Web and created a new database.) To the end user, freshness means: when I do a search, I am retrieving the latest, newest information.

The top three search engines, according to Greg's analysis, are Google, MSN, and HotBot. (Note: MSN and HotBot both use the Inktomi search engine).
posted by Fearguth at 1:24:00 PM

Judges Blast Library Filtering

No doubt about it: Internet users in the Richland College Library sometimes look at naughty things. But it's not because the library tried to filter and failed; it's because the library doesn't filter. Filtering (AKA censorship) is not only contrary to the Library Bill of Rights, but it is also contrary to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
posted by Fearguth at 4:45:00 PM

Teoma Takes Aim at Google

Remember the story of David and Goliath? Well, Teoma (AKA David) has taken on Google (AKA Goliath). Whether Teoma can find the "smooth, round riverrock" to load in its trusty sling and whether Teoma's aim is accurate enough to slay the search engine giant remains to be seen. To judge for yourself, go to Teoma and do a search. Then compare notes with Search Day's Chris Sherman.
posted by Fearguth at 4:08:00 PM