What
is a directory?
A directory is a list of sites organized by general topics
and arranged in a hierarchical structure. Search engine directories
contain a selected list of sites, compiled by humans.
Where do you find directories?
| Most search engines
feature a directory, along with a query box
for conducting keyword searches. Yahoo compiled
one of the first directories on the Web and
it remains a leader. Google, Hotbot, and
AltaVista also feature excellent directories.
Many Search Engines, but not Yahoo, use data
derived from the Open Directory Project (http://dmoz.org/about.html)
for their directories. |
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Demonstration 2 - Directories
Using the same engineering-related term you chose
in Demonstration 1, search a directory in Google.
Examine the results and determine the following:
- Format of
output pdf, html,
etc
- Elements of
URLs (more about
URLs here)
- Sources of
web pages author,
organizations
- Characteristics
of publications
listed??
- The number
of hits
Other questions
to consider :
What are some
of the differences
between directories
and Web search engines?
| Compare the
directory as
a tool for
finding Web
sites with
the query approach
using keywords.
Note: with
the keyword
approach, a
searcher enters
keywords in
a query box
or search form
and the keywords
are matched
with index
terms which
in turn lead
to Web sites
in a large
database. |
What are the advantages/disadvantages
with each approach?
| Consider
length of list,
what's missing,
special challenges
for the searcher. |
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