Exercise 8 How do search engines work?

    Search engines are basically computer algorithms which help users find the specific information they’re looking for. With literally trillions of pages of information online, without effective search engines, finding anything on the Internet would be almost impossible. Different search engines work in different specific ways, but they all utilize the same basic principles.
The first thing search engines have to do in order to function is to make a local database of, basically, the Internet. Early search engines just indexed keywords and titles of pages, but contemporary search engines index all of the text on every page, as well as a great deal of other data about that page’s relation to other pages, and in some cases all or a portion of the media available on the page as well. Search engines need to index all of this information so that they can run searches on it efficiently, rather than having to run around the Internet every time a search query is sent.

1. Bing

Bing is Microsoft's attempt at unseating Google. Bing used to be MSN search until it was updated in summer of 2009. Touted as a 'decision engine', Bing tries to support your researching by offering suggestions in the leftmost column, while also giving you various search options across the top of the screen. Things like 'wiki' suggestions, 'visual search', and 'related searches' might be very useful to you. Bing is not dethroning Google in the near future, no. But Bing is definitely worth trying.

2. Mahalo

 

Mahalo is the one 'human-powered' search site in this list, employing a committee of editors to manually sift and vet thousands of pieces of content. This means that you'll get fewer Mahalo hit results than you will get at Bing or Google. But it also means that most Mahalo results have a higher quality of content and relevance (as best as human editors can judge).
Mahalo also offers regular web searching in addition to asking questions. Depending on which of the two search boxes you use at Mahalo, you will either get direct content topic hits or suggested answers to your question.
Try Mahalo. You might like it enough to even become a editor there.

3. Dogpile

Years ago, Dogpile was the fast and efficient choice before Google. Things changed, Dogpile faded into obscurity, and Google became king. But today, Dogpile is coming back, with a growing index and a clean and quick presentation that is testimony to its halcyon days. If you want to try a search tool with pleasant presentation and helpful crosslink results, definitely try Dogpile

4. Webopedia

Webopedia is one of the most useful websites on the World Wide Web. Webopedia is an encyclopedic resource dedicated to searching techno terminology and computer definitions. Teach yourself what 'domain name system' is, or teach yourself what 'DDRAM' means on your computer. Webopedia is absolutely a perfect resource for non-technical people to make more sense of the computers around them.

 

5. Google

 

Google is the undisputed king of 'spartan searching'. While it doesn't offer all the shopping center features of Yahoo!, Google is fast, relevant, and the largest single catalogue of Web pages available today. Make sure you try the Google 'images', 'maps' and 'news' features... they are outstanding services for locating photos, geographic directions, and news headlines.

Chaper 7 Suggest the ideas to help and support the flooding

   In tough times, the traditional Aussie values of mateship and lending a helping hand will always come to the fore. When people are suffering from natural disasters such as the 2011 Queensland Floods  the majority of Australians are very keen to help out wherever they can. The problem though is  working out the best way to help flood victims – without causing more problems, or getting in the way of the relief effort.
A natural first reaction for most people, is to think about the types of things that flood victims might need, then consider what things they themselves have (and could do without), and then wonder how they should go about getting their stuff to the places they are really needed.
Undoubtedly many of these donated items would be useful, but unfortunately, even though it may initially seem to be a great idea, the donation of  items or goods, is rarely a practical solution.  Unless you are located in or very near to the flood affected areas, the costs associated with receiving, storing, transporting and distributed donated items are very high, and typically it could end up costing significantly more to pass on donated items than it would to provide new items  purchased in the local community.

When to make Financial Donations

Unless you live in or near affected communities, the best way you can help is very likely going to be to make a financial donation to the Disaster Relief Appeal.  This fund is managed by the Red Cross and used to help fund the most appropriate support in the areas where it is needed most.

When to Offer Items / Services

Floods have an impact on entire communities, however , many people (living or working on higher ground) may not be directly affected, and would LOVE to be able to help, but are not sure how.
HelpOut is an online service aimed directly at people living or working in or near to flood affected  areas who are wanting to help, and also those needing help.  If you are part of a local community, and are living or working in or very near a flood affected area, then with HelpOut, the donation of items, goods or services could become a viable options.
HelpOut allows people to list the types of items or services that they can help out with, in the specific area or community that they are able to assist.
If you need help, or could do with a helping hand, you can also create a Help Wanted listing – which specific what you need, and where you are located.
Note: HelpOut is not able to coordinate or be involved directly with individual offers or requests for Help or assistance, the service simply allows people offering help to get in touch with those needing help  – and let them sort out the details between them.

What types of things could I offer?

There are many many thing that could be assistance to the Qld flood victims – many communities have been devastated and some have lost everything, so pretty much anything which might help them get started on the road back to a normal life could be of benefit.  It’s not only goods and items that are of help though.  offers of a helping hand, a bit of a break, or even a shoulder to cry on can help a lot.  Often very simple things can make a big difference as it reminds the flood victims that they are not alone, people really do care, and that their lives will return to normal even if it takes time.
Outline below are a few suggestions for simple, but practical, hands on thing that you may not have considered, but if you have any other ideas, please feel free to leave a comment below.

• looking after a pet or caring for livestock
• offering a home cooked meal
• washing and drying a load of laundry
• inviting them around for a DVD and popcorn (a taste of normality)
• and many more..

Help by Spreading the Word

Even if you live elsewhere in Australia, you can help spread the word about HelpOut – particularly if you know someone or have contacts in those parts of Queensland that are being affected by flood.   If you let people within these local communities know about the HelpOut service they may be able to create their own listings.
Also, clearly people who have been affected by the floods are likely to have little or no access to the internet.  If you have friends or family who are suffering form the flood, and have some specific needs, you could consider creating a listing on their behalf – outlining what they need a hand with (make sure that you specify their location though – not your own).

Example of Report:

http://tsmun.club.officelive.com/Documents/Report%20Writing.pdf


Example of Citation:

http://www2.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citmla.htm