Go to the Homepage for the search engine
you generally use. Look for a link to Search tips, Help, Directions,
or something that will lead you to a page describing how the search engine
works. Try to find answers to the following questions. Any surprises?
1. How does it add sites to its database? How big is the database?
(do sites have to register or does the search engine use a ÒrobotÓ to search them out?)
2. What kind of searches does it do? (keyword, subject) Does it support all Boolean syntax? (AND, OR, NOT)
3. Does it give you any general tips for searching.
4. What special punctuation is necessary or helpful?
5. How does it order/rank responses?
6. Any special features? (customizing, etc.)
7. Overall, how would you rate this search engine? Any special comments?