1.

Go to http://www.metacrawler.com/ and explain what a meta search engine is and the concept behind this search engine. Note metacrawler can also be reached through its new image at www.gotonet.com.

2.

Continuing to look at http://www.metacrawler.com/, explain the options available in the power search.

3.

Still looking at http://www.metacrawler.com/, explain what you can do to customize your search.

4.

Using http://www.metacrawler.com/, do a search for the phrase 3rd normal form in educational sites. Use the first seven search engines listed. Do most of the sites seem relevant. Now try it with less engines. What is the value of using a meta search engine?

5.

Now visit http://www.profusion.com/. Explain the features available in this search engine and compare it to the metacrawler engine you looked at before.

6.

Try the search for 3rd normal form using multiple engines (I selected the first seven in the list and then did it again with a few) within http://www.profusion.com/ and compare with the results you got from metacrawler.

7.

Do a search on http://www.profusion.com/using Boolean for systems and either decision or expert. Are the results relevant? Were results from a variety of engines shown? What engines showed the most results in the top 10?

8.

Now go to http://www.mamma.com/psearch.html, and explain the options available.

Try to do the searches you did above using this engine and compare the results.

9.

Next explain the options available at http://www.debriefing.com/. Try the searches above on these and compare the results.

10

Finally, try http://www.dogpile.com/ and again discuss the options available, try the searches and compare the results.