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Kay Ethier wondered: <<I'm researching options for adding Search
capabilities to websites.>>
I can't provide firsthand experience as an _implementer_ of a search
function, but speaking as a user, I abhor the technology. I've rarely
had any luck finding what I'm looking for, though often Google has
succeeded where the site's own search engine failed me. Note that as
someone with a larger than average vocabulary and with considerable
skill as an indexer, I'm reasonably confident that the problem lies
with the technology rather than with me--I usually try several synonyms
before giving up in disgust.
While I have no objection to including a search function, PLEASE don't
make that the only tool for finding information. Spend considerable
effort developing a site architecture (hierarchy) that lets users
browse their way to a solution, and strongly consider developing an
index similar to the ones found at the back of a well-indexed book.
HTMLIndexer and Deva Tools both offer good indexing features for Web
pages.
If you must implement a search function, carefully study how the search
software works and how to configure it. For example, a good search
engine will also search the header for meta tags. If yours does, make
sure to add "meta" keywords to the header of each page so that the
search function has some hope of finding pages when the searcher
doesn't know your preferred word use; use lots of appropriate synonyms,
just as you would in an index. Don't forget to include a brief
description of the page contents in the header too, and a title for
each page.
--Geoff Hart ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca
(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)
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