Comparing Multi-Media Searches: Sarah O, Phil Nelson, Hunter Olson, Sean Campbel

We compared alltheweb.com to google.com, and after searching “Tiger Woods,” discovered that alltheweb had more relevant image search results.  The relevancy seemed pretty even when we searched videos, but we all agreed that we would use google videos, seeing as there were NO thumbnails available in alltheweb.  Both sites have advanced search options, but google’s is much more extensive and offers more options to get the image or video you want.  The google results offer an RSS link to compile the results, while alltheweb had no tools to save or compile that we could find.   We agreed that alltheweb.com is the superior site for pictures, mainly because the searches turned up more relevant results.  In the video search, google resulted in a far better list, seeming to pull from a greater source of sites.

Next, we compared google (our preferred video search engine) with blinkx.com.  Google again displayed the most relevant results, showing us only videos of Tiger Woods, and blinkx branched out to show us interviews and other related but not exact results.  Google is also still easier to navigate, simply with the layout, as well as providing the entire video and not simply a preview, like Blinkx.  While google allows for compilation with RSS feeds, Blinkx has a “save” feature, with the option of creating video playlists.  We ultimately would use google as a default to find videos, but would keep blinkx in mind for an obscure video, or as an alternate search process.

---