Search Engine Browser Toolbars

Web surveys estimate that over 70% of people on the Internet today use search engines to find what they are after. Whether you use Google, Yahoo, Altavista or Dogpile, chances are, you are part of this statistic.

Search Engines?

Search engines provide users with a huge array of data in which to search. When you’re stuck and you can’t find a web site, simply typing some words of the web site title into a search engine will help you find that site quickly.

There are two main types of search engines:

1. Categorical

Yahoo (http://www.yahoo.com) and Dmoz (http://www.dmoz.org) are two categorical engines. They are typically (originally) manually edited by humans based on submissions from the general public. Users are able to select “Movies” and then “Oscars 2002” to find a list of web sites that have been approved under this category.

2. Database String Searching

Google (http://www.google.com) and AltaVista (http://www.altavista.com) are two examples of this type. By entering a word or series of words, the site retrieves everything that matches. The main downside of this search technique is that it might not necessarily return the information you require.

With this in mind, Google has invented a page ranking feature where it scans each web page for relevance and catalogs them accordingly. As such, the pages which most suitably match your search will be displayed on the first page.

Increasing Accessibility

Most people access search engines by going to the appropriate front page and entering their searches into the boxes provided. With the advent of improvements by Microsoft to their Internet Explorer Internet browser, search engines can now plug directly into your browser. This is achieved by installing a plug-in, enabling you to search from your toolbars.

1. Google Toolbar (http://toolbar.google.com)

Google was one of the first companies to take this concept and run with it. The Google toolbar can allow you to search for phrases or words, or to view the relevance of the webpage. Once you enter your search, it takes you directly to the relevant search results page at Google.

When installing this toolbar, select the “Install with Advanced Features” option – this will enable you to view the advanced features such as PageRank.

2. Yahoo Companion (http://toolbar.yahoo.com)

Yahoo, being a media rich web site, has included into their toolbar both their search facilities, and quick links to My Yahoo and Yahoo Mail. This provides users with increased productivity, as well as the benefits of Yahoo’s categorical searching. There is no page ranking feature with Yahoo due to this cataloguing method.

Now That’s Easy!

It is! Installing a toolbar is simple, and the instructions on the web site are detailed. Screenshots and advice every step of the way is provided. Should you wish for one of these toolbars to be installed the next time one of our friendly technicians is servicing your computer, please ask.