TO: Dr Sun, WWWW Instructor
FR: Ryan Walsh
DT: 2-1-2005
RE: Analysis and Description of “Search Engine” Genre
Overview
| The “Search Engine” is a website which is used to facilitate, with greater ease, the abundance of resources and information which the Internet provides. By combining certain equations and algorithms along with key words, phrases and various linking pages, the possibilities of locating specific information are greatly increased. The specific website to be analyzed will be Ask Jeeves. A widely used and popular website, this search engine can access a variety of information from a variety of media including, but not limited to: news, images, local information, products and what ever else is located on the World Wide Web. |
Writers and Developers of the Ask Jeeves Web Site
Ask Jeeves was founded in 1996, in Berkeley, California, by David Warthen, CTO and veteran software developer, and Garrett Gruener, venture capitalist at Alta Partners and founder of Virtual Microsystems. After attaining various search programs and direct hit programs, Ask Jeeves developed into a corporate entity. The Site is now managed by a team which includes Steve Berkowitz (CEO), Steve Sordello (CFO), Brett Robertson (General Counsel), and Adrian Cox (CEO of UK & Ireland operations). There are numerous of writers and programmers responsible for the upkeep
and information acquisition at Ask Jeeves. |
Audiences & Users of the Ask Jeeves Web Site
| The audience of such a site would simply be anyone looking for anything on the web. The ease of use and uncomplicated language of the site make it a favorite for those who aren’t as computer savvy as they would like to be. Credited for its’ Natural Language Processing (NLP), it interprets inquires similar to the patters of normal human speech, without the techno-babble. By simply entering in a word, phrase or question, the site simulates actually asking a know-it-all where something is. Also, Ask Jeeves has multi-language functions which allow use of the web site in a variety of non-English languages like Spanish, French and Italian. With such a wide user base and the capability to assist in the gathering of an unlimited amount of information, Ask Jeeves can appeal to anyone searching for information on the web. |
Format and Organization of the Ask Jeeves Web Site
The format and organization of the Ask Jeeves web site is not all that dissimilar from other search engine web sites. By keeping the format homogenous, they eliminate the alienation of those who have reached a level of comfort with the standard format of websites. This format includes several search narrowing links like web, images, local, news, and the more options. Each section of the site is formatted for the ease of use and simple function of locating and evaluating information, whether it is text, images or another type of medium. The ‘text’ box, which the users enters their inquiry, is located in the center of the page with all the links and assorted tools located around the box. The overall design of the page is symmetrical and justified accordingly. A typical search engine contains the ‘text’ box and various
buttons or links in a toolbar design. These tools include: There is also a toolbar located at the bottom of the page which allows
the user to gain information about the site itself. The features listed
in this section often include items like: |
Level of Formality in Ask Jeeves
There is a certain degree of causal necessity in this search engine. There is a lack of techno-related language which makes the site easy to navigate and simple to work with. All unnecessary words and terms are eliminated so that only the essential information is provided to work with. However the option to broaden the language base and include more of the detailed specifics of the website and its functions is available to those who find such information helpful. By keeping the terminology simple and including only the terms and ideas needed to successfully use the search engine, confusion is kept to a minimum and the professionalism of the site is maintained. The site just makes it seem like all a person needs to do is type a question and they get an answer. Simple yet effective, the site reflects the attitude of its creators and the persona of most of its users. |
| The use of visuals in Ask Jeeves, like the rest of its format, is kept to a minimum. There is a large graphic of a man (who looks like a butler) personifying the character of Jeeves. This anthropomorphosis of the program, giving it a human quality and making it seem more user friendly. It puts a face to the site and makes it seem more inviting. Also included are the icons for each of the special features. This makes it easy for those who can’t see well or just prefer to have little pictures telling them what to do and where to go. It also adds to the aesthetic professionalism of the site, making it seem more sophisticated than it’s competitors. Under the customization section, the option to convert icons to text is available for those who prefer the text over the use of images. This flexibility only further exemplifies the proficiency of the site. The website has a good use of color contrast to draw a distinction between active links, sections of the page and toolbar options. Each use of a visual has a very direct and specific purpose; to facilitate easier use of the search engine. |
Range of Variation in Ask Jeeves
| This site differs from other search engines (Alta Vista, Google, ect) in that it puts a human characteristic into the program. By phrasing the search inquiry in a standard question (though a keyword or phrase will produce results) a less formal and more sensitive search is created. Jeeves takes on a human persona, speaking in the same way normal people speak. Other search engines appear stripped down, including only the essential functions and limiting graphics and color tones, but Ask Jeeves considers these ideas and implements beneficial concepts with great success. We can see the Ask Jeeves Smart Search page. Notice the soft, earth tone beige contrasted by the red banner. Also note the use of white space to contrast the text, making it easier to read. Don’t forget to notice Jeeves. |
| Here is the Advanced Search page for Google.com. Notice the complicated fields and abundance of text. The language is simple but stripped down and unfriendly. Also there is a lack of color and it is very bland. The design is boring and it seems cold. People who aren’t very computer savvy might have difficulty with such a format. |
Personal Experience with Ask Jeeves
| I have used Ask Jeeves a number of time with great success. The friendly design and the human speak language with which I can search the web appeals to me as I have had a number of problems with computers. Also the character of Jeeves is on some level comforting, subconsciously. Obviously Jeeves consists of hundreds of people, but I like the idea of having someone w |