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September 23, 2007
RSS: Everyone likes to be Fed
My Adventures with Feed Readers
The options
Today I will be trying out 6 searchable feed databases: Blogdigger, Google Blog Search, Technorati, Blogpulse, Rojo & IceRocket, to evaluate them and assist you in your online endeavors. To do this, I have searched through each of them with something we have all at some-point struggled at writing, "Cover Letter" (exact term search). So without further adeau, here are my evaluations of the website, in classic "divisional" form (Of cliche' windows platforms that I have used in my lifetime, of course)
The "Windows 3.1" Division
As you would have probably guessed, this division consists of the feed databases I was less than impressed with.
This site has potential for a great blog searching site, however I really couldn't stand how sloppy it seems and its inability to quickly change focus on searches. As you will see in the later divisions, there are many options to fine tone your feed search, there really aren't any at BlogPulse. BlogPulse seems to have a good connection specifically to blogs (although, it should, as its name is, well, yeah), as you can view the blog profile, see when it was updated, and view the full url. However, in addition to prior negatives, I was less than impressed with the hits it gave for "Cover Letter."
The "Windows 95'" Division
An upgrade from their predecessor, but still lacking the ability to reach their full potential
I wouldn't use IceRocket if you have A-D-D, because the amount of information that jumps on your screen is rediculous. The cramped nature of the results leads me back to what BlogPulse looked like, however these creators have found a way to add in multiple adds, hot topics, and fee-required service links for the search you put in (for a cover letter, I think that actually renders bonus points). The big draw back on IceRocket, though, is the searcher's inability to quickly find the information. For instance, for my search of cover letter, I received what seemed to be numerous good blogs to go through. But, to really find out if they were good or not, the two lines of text provided on the search were not good enough. I still had to click on each individual blog. Although better than BlogPulse, it's not OVERLY better, and thus ends up in the Windows 95' Division.
The "Windows ME" Division
They did many things right, but just doesn't seem to fit in the grand scheme of things. These feed databases have numerous positives, yet cannot match those in the later divisions
Rojo does a lot of things right. The post-search of "Cover Letter" leaves a number of valid feeds with large text blurbs to let the user decide whether its worth looking into or not. It also contains a small box next to each result for Rojo users to "Add Mojo." This provides the results with validity. Through an options drop down, there are search options for things such as "search by date" and "search by headlines only", etc. The home page also allows for searching of quick topics.
One thing I didn't like about Rojo is that I was reduced to stories (Blogs) only. As I attempted to move toward a feed search, there were no results for cover letters (wha?). Also, it still has the messy, old html feel that the prior two feed readers contain. I was impressed with some of the new features, but didn't really get into Rojo as a whole.
The ability to quickly move between date and relevance searches makes Blogdigger a handy tool, however it simply can't match up to what the next division can do for search capabilities. I found Blogdigger's content to be very solid and easy to work through. The feed -- focus -- exclude option could be very useful for a long time searcher (to omit and focus on certain blog areas), however, for me I did not utilize them too much. The site allows for easy subscription to searches and contains come of those ever so fun pay for service ads about your topic (maybe I should have searched how to write a blog...).
In total its a good feed database, but if you really want to control your database, use some of the next database search tools.
Usage: Blogdigger is pretty simple to use. Initially, you have the option to search through date or relevance, but there are no true indexes you can begin with -- so I would really only use this one if you have a set search to create. Once your search is done it is a standard search result screen. If you decide you want to search for relevance instead of date or vice versa, click the corresponding bubble at the top and dig it! once more.
The "Windows XP" Division
These feed databases have it together. These are sites which will be able to help searches find a great deal of current, relevant, information.
Searching is what Google is known for and they do not disappoint here. The ability to quickly change search options, from relevance, to time, to related entries is all visible and easily accessable. I was happy with the content provided by the search and impressed with the pre-click information provided. Google Blog Search also leaves three different options at the bottom of every search:
Create an email alert for "SSSSSS"
Add a blog search gadget for "SSSSSS" to your Google homepage
Subscribe to a blog search feed for "SSSSSS" in Google Reader
In all, if you enjoy google, you will do just fine sticking to the motherland
Usage: If you know google, you know google blog search. The only thing that may be tricky is the left side of the screen. There you can choose the amount of time you want to search (12 hours, a month, etc.). Results can also be sorted by date in the upper right corner of the screen. It's your typical google search.
The "Windows Vista" Division
Takes everything good from the prior divisions and makes them, well, cooler and more efficient.
I really find Technorati to be a far far better version of Rojo. Everything that makes Rojo solid is also within Technorati, including the valid search return, peer ratings & text blurbs. Technorati trumps in other areas, however. For instance, in Technorati, one can break down the search into five different areas: Quick View, Posts, Blogs, Videos, Photos. In addition, there are automatic searches for "popular" and a "Topics" section which can be broken down by industry (entertainment, sports, business). This provides different types of searchers to quickly find different kinds of information. The website is also much cleaner, leading me to get through it with more ease.
Content wise, I was never disappointed with what results were given. Perhaps the only downside to Technorati is the inconsistency with pre-click information. However, the ease of finding the blogs and search options clearly make up for that liability.
Usage: its relatively straight forward. The home page allows for quick viewing of multiple topics. If you want to search one of them just click on the tab available and you're on your way. Otherwise, you can search your own topic. Once your search is complete, you can begin choosing posts that the search provides. Rather see videos? click on the video tab at the top. Blogs? Same deal. Its relatively smooth to transition and makes for good searching.
Well, those are my 5 divisions for the feed databases, I hope my analysis can help you find online information more efficiently
Posted by grantrob at 09:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2007
Examination of the Deep Web
My Adventures in the Deep (Blue) Web
Wha???
Everyone knows Google. Everyone knows how to search Google (basically). Everyone expects Google to give them everything they need to know. What everyone doesn't know is the vast depth of information which the surface internet is unable to capture; information that is hidden behind query & databases within and even behind Google's vast information highway. Welcome to the Deep Web! A place where there is more information that you even knew existed (figuratively and, ironically, literally as well). My goal today is to examine this area of the deep by doing a few relatively simple searches and perhaps learn a little as well.
Timber Industry California & Equity Research
To dive into this information, I will be conducting two searches (Timber Industry California, Equity Research) on multiple websites (Google, Yahoo Directory, at Yahoo Web, Scirus, Google Scholar,UM Library’s Search Tools, & CompletePlanet). So....lets see how things turned out:
Timber Industry California
Complete Planet
Equity Research
As you go through the list of searches (top to bottom) one thing I noticed was a common trend of specific search ability. Google and Yahoo web searches tended to pump out businesses and websites where as the later searches resulted in academic papers, articles, and pdf files. Therefore, the first thing I found interesting through my observations was the inability of top level search engines to easily grasp & organize specific information from other databases .
So, the latter search engines must be better for academic purposes, right? Well, as is the answer for most of life...it depends. Yes the information retrieved was far more specific and "deep" in nature, however the number of responses was also limited. This leads me to the second interesting thing I observed; the top level search engines, although less specific, are still far favorable in theoretical breadth. What I mean by this is as follows: after reading the He, Patel, Zhang, & Chang article on "Accessing the Deep Web" it was written that research suggests Google and yahoo web queries have been able to find approximately 32% of the Deep Web. So, percentage wise, if each of them gives 2 Million responses, about 640,000 of those revolve around Deep Web Information (You just have to find it). For the same search, the other search engines were providing about .5% of the responses (around 8-10k, but as low as 2k).
What does this mean? Mitigation, Mitigation, Mitigation. My third and final point is when searching, those looking for information should use a mitigation strategy to obtain as many facets of the information as possible. The Deep Web can be easily viewed by search engines such as Scirus & Complete Planet. Take advantage of this knowledge, but don't forget about the breadth of deep web from which the mainstream search engines can provide. If you are able to maximize the depth and breadth of your searching of the deep web, you will find yourself successful.
Posted by grantrob at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
September 14, 2007
What I want to get out of BIT330
As business becomes more Network IT based and information moves at increasingly faster rates, those who succeed will inevitably be the ones who can quickly piece information together the fastest. Because of this, I felt it was important to learn how to do this skill effectively. BIT 330 should teach me the intricacies of how to effectively manage my information input and maximize my value to my future employers. It will help me learn real world value in a classroom setting as I continuously prepare myself for a full-time job. I look forward to a comprehensive and fun semester.
Posted by grantrob at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)