LIS 488 Section 2 - Fall 2006

Google just introduced a custom search service that allows you to configure a google search page that returns results for one or more websites. There is a certain amount of look and feel customizing you can do as well. For example you can change the look and feel for results and set rules for what websites should be included and/or excluded in your search.

I think the real power or convenience here is that you could roll your own quasi "federated search engine," at least for web resources. For example, we could create a custom search engine that includes all of the Net Media websites listed on our wiki. That way you could easily find out all of the bloggers who may have weighed in on a topic that is of interest to you.

It's already been pointed out that one should consider the "Terms of Service" for this new service. Apparently you must stick to google for all your search-box needs if you use this (no mixing and matching with some similar Yahoo type service). Also, there is google branding required, the service may be pulled at any time, etc. As always, there really is no such thing as a free lunch.

Terry Reese has some interesting thoughts about Google in general and how they seem to continue to foster a good-guy image even though they certainly are as motivated by corporate self interest as Microsoft. I wonder how long the PR will last.

I created a custom Simmons GSLIS search using the new google service. Give it a try: