Goooooo Faster - Vital for Every Internet User... (google.com)

Member Name: as2101

Product:	google.com
Date:	04/09/01 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazingly good for searching, Great for newsgroups, Fast

Disadvantages: No frills

Google's history is pretty amazing. It was founded in 1998, and has now indexed 1,387,529,000 site- and is probably the most popular search engine in the world.

Last year, I hadn't heard of it- however, it's fast becoming the only search site I use!

WHAT IS GOOGLE?

If you're reading this, chances are that you've used Google at some point in the past. Even if you've not been to Google.com (or .co.uk), you're likely to have used Yahoo- or another site that uses it to provide results. It is a search engine, in short- that focuses on that, with no bells and whistles, just top-quality searching.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Sites are submitted to Google, via the site to be indexed by a 'bot'. This computer 'bot' works by going to your page, finding keywords, indexing it- and then doing the same with all the sites your page links to- and so on...
All search engines (NOT directories), work in this way- bu there's one big difference- Google works...

LAYOUT AND BASICS

The Google homepage is simplistic, with no-ads, or big graphics. It may look uninspired, but it loads really quickly- which is a very important factor, for those of use using the modem equivalent of a Mini Metro.

The site couldn't be more easy to use, no jargon- everything is labelled. Simply type in what you want, and go- clicking either for results (by just clicking 'search'), or click 'I'm feeling lucky!' to go to the nearest matching site (eg. type in AOL, and it will take you to www.aol.com).

There are also links to advanced searching.

Results are laid out clearly as well.

ADVANCED SEARCHING

There are an amazing array of options to choose from, and, as the rest of the site- it's child's-play.

OTHER FEATURES

However, recently Google has added a few more features-

Google Groups

An excellent serv
ice, based on the old Deja News service (don't worry if that means nothing to you- it didn't to me until recently!).

It allows you to search newsgroups via the web, view threads etc. over any internet connection. Although there is a slight (few hours) time delay between something being posted and appearing here, this is a really great service.

It allows you to view nesgroups
-anywhere
-faster
-and without downloading them (reducing the virus risks).

Directory.

Google also now provide a directory, powered by DMOZ.org . Although many sites aren't listed, the directory is indexed by humans- and is, again, a very fast and simple site- and worth a visit.

GETTING YOUR SITE LISTED

To be listed in the directory- approach dmoz.org separately, a volunteer (anyone can be an 'indexer'), will then add your site.

To add your site to Google, just click to submit your URL, and follow the instructions.

I was impressed at the speed at which they added my site- and every other page in it (my site has around 200 listings, from one submission). The same cannot be said for Altavista etc.

FINALLY...

They also provide some really interesting facts and company details via a link on the homepage, and a UK-specific engine at google.co.uk .

Therefore, for searching- you can do no better.

But remember, Google is for searching- and email, chat etc. are not provided. I'd recommend Yahoo for these.

Summary: