Canadian Content

1
Canadian Content

• Barbara Adams
• Sandra Boutilier
• Rachel Brown
• Margaret Chesko
• Please visit our website at
• http//www.slais.ubc.ca/courses/libr557/2000-2001
  -wt1/students.htm

2
What defines a Canadian Search Engine or Web Site?

• An engine that searches only sites with a .ca
  designation?
• A site that is Canadian owned?
• A site that deals with information of interest to
  Canadians?
• Site authored by a Canadian about a
  non-Canadian subject?
• Site authored by a non-Canadian about a
  Canadian subject?

3
Methodology Criteria for evaluating Canadian
search tools.

• Interface - clear or cluttered?
• Coverage
• Search options
• Ease of use
• Relevance and extent of results

4
Sample searches

• Anne of Green Gables
• October Crisis
• Algonquin Park
• Pierre Elliott Trudeau
• Native Art
• Homeless

5
Strengths weaknesses of Canadian Search Engines

• Overall we were quite disappointed with general
  Canadian search engines and directories.
• Interfaces were cluttered
• Low relevancy of hits
• Small or incomplete databases result in low
  number of hits

6
Strengths weaknesses of Canadian Search Engines

• Some specialty and regional sites were good for
  local content searches.
• Returned region-specific sites that may not have
  been picked up by major engines
• Thoughtful collocation and presentation of sites
  of local interest.