OptWizard
16-01-2002, 12:19/12:19PM
Lycos Enhances Advanced Search
As part of a renewed commitment to improving its web search capabilities,
Lycos has quietly introduced new advanced features that are both powerful
and easy to use.
Lycos' advanced search interface uses "filters" that allow you to limit
your searches by words, URLs or sites, and languages. These filters are
controlled by drop-down menus and radio buttons on the advanced search
form.
A notable new addition is the catalog filter, which allows you to limit
your search to a single Lycos catalog. Lycos uses the word catalog to
describe the five sources it searches: The primary Lycos index, which is
actually powered by FAST, the Direct Hit and Overture indexes, and the
ODP's full catalog or category results only.
Previously, advance search results were drawn from all five catalogs.
"What we had in the past was a tiered catalog," said Tom Wilde general
manager of search services for the Lycos Search and HotBot search engines.
"We've streamlined that, so that it only hits FAST, unless you select one
of the other catalogs."
Wilde noted that there are differences between Lycos catalog results and
AllTheWeb.com results, FAST's flagship search engine. "FAST does a
slightly different deployment on AllTheWeb," said Wilde, so results for
the same query will differ despite the fact that they're both powered by
the FAST database.
Once you've run an advanced search, your filters are inserted into the
search bar at the top of each result page. Next to each filter is an
"edit" button that allows you to tweak your query if your results aren't
exactly what you'd hoped for. No more scrolling to the bottom of a result
page for further advanced search options.
Filters are also persistent now, making it easier to progressively
fine-tune your query. When you click the edit button, you're returned to
the advanced search form, and all of your previous filters remain in
place.
To see how this works, try the query "lincoln" with a word filter set so
results "must include" the word "ford." As you might expect, most results
relate to the Ford motor company, which produces the Lincoln Continental
automobile.
Now click the edit button on the word filter for "ford" in the search bar.
You'll see that your first word filter remains set to "ford." Add a
second word filter so that the text "must include" the word "theater."
The result set is completely different, properly returning pages with
information on the Ford Theater, the infamous site of president Abraham
Lincoln's assassination.
Queries using popular words like "ford" and "lincoln" that carry multiple
interpretations often flummox search engines. Lycos is improving on that
front, as well. "Query analysis is something we're putting quite a bit of
R&D into, because there's quite a bit of ground to gain on that front,"
said Wilde.
The renewed efforts by Lycos to enhance the quality of web search are
really beginning to show, and the search engine is once again becoming a
first-tier resource for serious searchers. More enhancements and
improvements are on the way. Stay tuned -- we'll keep you posted.
Lycos Advanced Search
http://search.lycos.com/main/adv.asp
Got this from todays Search Day....
Looks like Lycos is still trying to become a player again....
As part of a renewed commitment to improving its web search capabilities,
Lycos has quietly introduced new advanced features that are both powerful
and easy to use.
Lycos' advanced search interface uses "filters" that allow you to limit
your searches by words, URLs or sites, and languages. These filters are
controlled by drop-down menus and radio buttons on the advanced search
form.
A notable new addition is the catalog filter, which allows you to limit
your search to a single Lycos catalog. Lycos uses the word catalog to
describe the five sources it searches: The primary Lycos index, which is
actually powered by FAST, the Direct Hit and Overture indexes, and the
ODP's full catalog or category results only.
Previously, advance search results were drawn from all five catalogs.
"What we had in the past was a tiered catalog," said Tom Wilde general
manager of search services for the Lycos Search and HotBot search engines.
"We've streamlined that, so that it only hits FAST, unless you select one
of the other catalogs."
Wilde noted that there are differences between Lycos catalog results and
AllTheWeb.com results, FAST's flagship search engine. "FAST does a
slightly different deployment on AllTheWeb," said Wilde, so results for
the same query will differ despite the fact that they're both powered by
the FAST database.
Once you've run an advanced search, your filters are inserted into the
search bar at the top of each result page. Next to each filter is an
"edit" button that allows you to tweak your query if your results aren't
exactly what you'd hoped for. No more scrolling to the bottom of a result
page for further advanced search options.
Filters are also persistent now, making it easier to progressively
fine-tune your query. When you click the edit button, you're returned to
the advanced search form, and all of your previous filters remain in
place.
To see how this works, try the query "lincoln" with a word filter set so
results "must include" the word "ford." As you might expect, most results
relate to the Ford motor company, which produces the Lincoln Continental
automobile.
Now click the edit button on the word filter for "ford" in the search bar.
You'll see that your first word filter remains set to "ford." Add a
second word filter so that the text "must include" the word "theater."
The result set is completely different, properly returning pages with
information on the Ford Theater, the infamous site of president Abraham
Lincoln's assassination.
Queries using popular words like "ford" and "lincoln" that carry multiple
interpretations often flummox search engines. Lycos is improving on that
front, as well. "Query analysis is something we're putting quite a bit of
R&D into, because there's quite a bit of ground to gain on that front,"
said Wilde.
The renewed efforts by Lycos to enhance the quality of web search are
really beginning to show, and the search engine is once again becoming a
first-tier resource for serious searchers. More enhancements and
improvements are on the way. Stay tuned -- we'll keep you posted.
Lycos Advanced Search
http://search.lycos.com/main/adv.asp
Got this from todays Search Day....
Looks like Lycos is still trying to become a player again....