Return to Metacrawlers

 Jolene Martinez

What is a metacrawler?  A metacrawler is a web based search engine that goes

through your most popular web providers to find the specific information that is available on the world wide web.  The following is an evaluation of info.com.  The web site, WWW.Info.com (info site), is only one of may free metasearch engines that can be used to research all most anything.

This info site uses the following: Google, Yahoo, MSN, About.com and Ask.com  to crawl through the web sites to find the requested information.   The user has the opportunity to use other web sources in other countries.  Such as UK and Germany.  The metacrawler will send out data to the search engines and find the related links or words that are used in the search for what people are looking for.  Often the general web sites only have links, which are not always user friendly.

            The availability for the use of other countries web sites is also a good way to see what type of information is out there and available to the user for use. The info site will provide suggestions on what it thinks you are looking for.  The info site is also useful for anyone that is looking for technical data on specific information on items such as i.e. car schematics, blue print on the Denver library or even user manuals for household security systems.

This info site does not narrow down the information requested, you often you have to dig through the findings to locate what it is what you’re searching for. Although, if you are looking for something in general it will help you by providing multiple links that include your research word.  I find that the findings are not specific enough but might offer insight or choices that the user had not thought of.  This site is also

very basic, no bells and whistles, not all users will find as useful or user friendly.

I would recommend this site to the person that is looking for technical and business data.  I find the info site to be a valuable tool. Since I often work with mechanical and electrical machinery made in multiple countries.  I was amazed that you could find all the information that you could find.