Advanced internet search tips; useful utilities and attractive add-ins

Abstract

In the previous installment of this column, the basics of Internet searching were explored. The coverage included comments related to Common Browser packages and simple methods of conducting a search through initial steps in establishing and setting search criteria. The characteristics and usefulness of Web-located search portals, such as search engines, search directories, metasearchers, specialty search engines, and expert or topic-specific sites were also covered. The user was reminded that each search site is optimized for the retrieval of information based on the preferences of the site’s creator. Generally, this is a helpful concept until the user’s needs and concepts of relevancy of search hits differ from that ordered by the individual sites. In addition to this potential to retrieve less than a perfect match for each particular query, the time of the user must be invested to allow transfer of data from the Internet site to a protected site on the user’s computer that will allow the downloaded information to be examined for potentially harmful or malicious content, such as computer viruses, before the material is opened. Switching between different search sites can also consume valuable time. A final problem to the casual user of various search sites is the abundance of the information retrieved. This can make the processing and sifting of data into a form that is both manageable and useful to the end user a daunting task. Powertools are available to allow the casual user to go beyond the limitations of simple search engines. Enter the search utility programs, which are programs specifically designed to provide in addition to basic search capabilities, the ability to automate the onerous tasks of organizing the information found on the Internet, saving search results to specific custom folders, sorting references or entries, fixing broken links, or even changing the format of collected information into a form that may be manipulated or converted into other projects. Four robust and readily available search utilities are Copernic 2000 version 4.5, Atomica, Flyswat, and WebWasher. Copernic 2000 version 4.5 is available as a free download at http:// www.copernic.com/products/free/. It will allow the user to simultaneously connect to multiple search sites of the user’s choice and combine the output into 1 resultant query. The query interface is simple and allows the user to use plain text questions and search for phrases, all, or selected words. It has an extensive set of tools that rank sort and order results by relevancy, remove duplicate hits, and allow indexing of results by keywords The search reports may be exported in various file types, including HTML, Text, XML, Comma Separated, or dBASE formats. The results obtained may be saved to user-defined folders, the results e-mailed, and broken links validated and eliminated. Higher rated versions are available for a fee, which allow the user to work with greater numbers of specialized and general search engines and have more robust filtering and editing tools. Atomica (previously know as GuruNet) is also available as a free download at http://www.atomica.com/. The strength of this utility is its ability to find references, definitions, and Internet links to any word displayed on the screen of your computer. It works with browser packages, word processors, as well as e-mail packages. After you locate a word of interest, hold the Alt key and click on that word in your application. A compact window will display related links as well as other information pertinent to the item. For example, selecting a city name will return encyclopedia entries, dictionary definitions, and traffic and weather information. Flyswat is another free product that is available at http:// www.flyswat.com/. Similar to Atomica, it will provide the ability to search on specific words within an application or document. As an example, if you click on an area code, the program tells you the code’s location and gives you access to maps and directions; words and names bring up encyclopedia entries and definitions. The user should be wary of hidden dangers within the free price. Similar to the annoying buzz of the insect a flyswatter was designed to eliminate, Flyswat was designed to annoy users by eliminating a portion of their privacy. The use of Flyswat automatically sends a copy of each and every webpage viewed back to the Flyswat company server. Webwasher is an interesting utility available as a free download at http://www.webwasher.com/ to educational and university users. The strength of this utility rests in its ability to literally wash away most annoying banner advertisements as well as cookies. As advertisements are usually not displayed, your browsing sessions proceed more quickly. Its use requires the use of a proxy server, but the setup is quick and easy to set up. Add-Ins are available for use with most word processors to assist the scientific writer. The most popular of these products