As Microsoft enters the internet search engine market, users find themselves overwhelmed with options. We compare the big players on five key areas.
Google
MSN
A9
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Yahoo!
Ask Jeeves
The verdict
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The test
- First a search for "raleigh" - chosen as it is a word with several meanings including the bike company, the US city, the expedition charity and the Elizabethan explorer.
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How fast? Although engines can be slowed down by problems in receiving networks, searches made within minutes can give a comparison.
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Then how did it look and could it tell us an Alsatian's IQ (reportedly 60 - whether this is true or not is irrelevant). Finally, the simple question - what is the time in Sydney?
Ask Jeeves
RELEVANCE
This was a shorter list with 3.27 million results but well organised. The city, the bikes and the explorer were all in the top five.
But what was great was the refined search down the right, which meant I was one click away from getting all the references to Sir Walter or the city or the charity or the bike company. Brilliant.
On other sites, you have to scan the list for your references or refine the search again. Not here.
SPEED
No speed is given, but not noticeably slower.
THE LOOK
Like Google and MSN, a good clean front page with sponsored sites on the results page.
The human touch with the butler gives it a strong brand.
THE OBSCURE FACT
What's the reported IQ of an Alsatian? It's 60, according to the fifth result.
THE QUESTION
What is the time in Sydney? 8.15pm