By Sandor Panton, ContributorUnlocking the secrets of the Internet is a series brought to you by www.go-jamaica.com. The portal website of the Jamaica Gleaner.
HAVE YOU ever wondered what some of the terms used on search engines actually mean? This week, I have defined the seven most commonly used search engine terms.
ALGORITHM
The mathematical programme used to determine which web pages are displayed in a search engine's results for a particular word or phrase, and in what order.
BOOLEAN SEARCH
A search technique where the searcher can use operators such as AND, OR and NOT to include or exclude from the search results, documents that contain certain words or phrases.
CLOAKING
The process of delivering one version of a web page to a web surfer, and a different version of the same page to another user (usually a search engine spider or robot). So, depending on the visitor who happens along, any number of two or more different versions of the same page may be displayed.
DEAD LINK
A link to a page or item which does not work, usually because the site's server is down or the page has been moved or no longer exists. Search engines periodically remove (de-list) such pages from their listings.
EGO SURFING
Using a search engine to look for mention of your name on the Internet.
EVERFLUX
Where a search engine is constantly removing, updating and adding pages to its index, thus causing search results to differ from day to day. Google is a good example of an engine that is in Everflux.
META SEARCH ENGINE
An engine that queries the databases of multiple search engines simultaneously, then produces combined search results on a single page.
SPIDER
Search engine software that finds documents, pages and other items by following links. The software scans these items, and then adds them to the search engine's index or database.
Now that you understand the 'lingo' a little better you'll be able to continue your online travels with greater confidence.
Sandor Panton is an Internet Specialist & Consultant. If you have any comment contact him at feedback@jamaica-gleaner.com.
