The table below lists just a handful of the available search engines and their most important features. Take a look at Search Engine Watch to get a more complete list of the variety of search engines, find more searching tips, and find more information about search engines. Search Engine General Features Boolean Other Search Options All the Web www.alltheweb.com Simple, straight-forward screen with very little advertising. Search for web pages, videos, MP3 files, and FTP files Recognizes the following: +, -, " ", ( ) Note: Engine does not recognize AND, OR, NOT operators Simple search: check off "Exact phrase" button to search for exact phrase (works like ""). Limit search by langauge. Advanced Search: limit search by domain. Use drop down for Boolean options such as "all of the words," "any of the words," or "the exact phrase." Search Engine General Features Boolean Other Search Options BUBL LINK bubl.ac.uk/link/ Primarily useful as a directory. Uses the Dewey Decimal System (like public libraries) to organize web sites. Advanced Search: text boxes and radio button options allow you to limit your search. Search Engine General Features Boolean Other Search Options Google www.google.com Simple, straight-forward screen with very little advertising. Google Web Directory is available at http://directory.google.com/. Google only returns pages that include all of your search terms so the Boolean operator AND is not needed Recognizes the following: OR, -, " " Basic Search: by clicking on the "I'm Feeling Lucky Button" you go directly to the first web page Google returned for your search. Advanced Search: limit search by domain and language. Does not support stemming or wildcards. The exact words that you enter into the search box will be searched. The engine is not case sensitive. Search Engine General Features Boolean Other Search Options Hotbot www.hotbot.com Doubles as a search engine and as a directory. Many of the search features can be accessed from the left hand side of the screen. Search for images, videos, and MP3 files. Recognizes the following: AND, OR, NOT, " " Wildcards: * (matches more than one character), ? (matches only one character) Use the drop down menus to limit your search and act as Boolean operators. Basic Search: limit search by date and language Advanvced Search: limit your search by domain. Use drop down menus to further limit your search. Search Engine General Features Boolean Other Search Options Northern Light www.northernlight.com Includes a number of search options. "Special Editions" link produces a list of categories related to important issues of the day. Other features include "Search News" and "Business Search." Recognizes the following: AND, OR, NOT, +, -, ( ) Wildcards: * (matches more than one character), % (matches only one character) Note: term must have at least four letters before a wildcard can be used. Note: most words are pluralized automatically so a search for cat will also look for cats. Power Search: limit your search by particular subject areas. Search Engine General Features Boolean Other Search Options open directory project www.dmoz.org Primarily useful as a directory even though a search feature is offered. The directory is compiled by volunteers. Recognizes the following: AND, OR, ANDNOT, " ", +, - Note: search statement cannot begin with the - command. Wildcards:* (can only be used at the end of a term) Advanced Search: search for terms within specific subject categories. Search Engine General Features Boolean Other Search Options Profusion www.profusion.com Metasearch engine Doubles as a search engine and as a directory. Simple straight forward screen with very little advertising. Recognizes the following: AND, OR, NOT, " " Note: Boolean operators must be entered in capital letters Advanced Search: select which search engines to search. Search Engine General Features Boolean Other Search Options Webcrawler www.webcrawler.com Doubles as a search engine and as a directory. Simple straight forward screen with very little advertising. Recognizes the following: AND, OR, AND NOT, +, - Note: Boolean commands must be entered in capital letters "Zoom In" feature helps narrow down searches by suggesting alternate/additional search terms. Search Engine General Features Boolean Other Search Options Yahoo www.yahoo.com Doubles as a search engine and as a directory. Recongnizes the following: AND, OR, +, -, " " Wildcards: * (can be attached to the end of the word only; must have at least three letters before using a wildcard) Advanced Search: use the radio buttons to select Boolean operators.