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The Invisible Web
Susan DiRenzo & Nancy Pitre The University of Akron |
In recent years, numerous web sites, or gateways to the Invisible Web have been created and have become a useful supplement to traditional and popular Internet search engines and directories. These sites are created by humans, sometimes contain reviews of selected sites, and usually provide either a searchable and/or a browsable guide to invisible content available on the Web.
Although these sites can help retrieve web content not generally indexed by traditional and popular Internet search engines and directories, there are several issues to take into consideration. Since searching the Invisible Web is a new concept, many of these sites are still in the developmental stage. Not all sites are user friendly and easy to use. Some search interfaces are confusing and offer users too many options to choose from. Some sites have included links to numerous commercial sites that contain the same information that is indexed and located by traditional and popular Internet search engines and directories. Thus, the distinction between "visible" and "invisible" content is blurred, and as a result, these sites may be of less value to the average user. Finally, since these sites are human creations, there is a possibility of bias and irregular subject coverage.
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