Selection-based search

Operation and Variability of Selection-based Search Systems - Selection-based search systems create a semantic database of trained terms. - They do not compile a physical database or catalog of the web on the user's desktop computer. - Instead, they pass selected keywords to online cloud services and compile results based on a specific algorithm. - No two selection-based search systems are alike. - They differ in terms of the websites they link to, the search engines they use, and the presentation of results. Quality of Results in Selection-based Search Systems - Usability can vary widely between selection-based search systems. - Basic systems allow users to search more of the web in the context of their work than any single search engine. - However, some systems are considered redundant if they do not apply intelligence to categorizing selected text and simply provide links to preferred search engines. - The quality of results depends on how well the system categorizes selected text and matches it to online services. - The process is more efficient when the system identifies the most suitable online service for the selected text. Related Concepts and Examples of Selection-based Search - For cloud computing services used by selection-based search systems, refer to the list of search engines. - Accelerator in Internet Explorer 8 is related to selection-based search. - Microsoft Smart Tags are related to selection-based search. - Yahoo! Search selection-based search is another example. - Macintosh Spotlight is a selection-based search system that allows users to search their desktop files. References and Sources - Adler, Paul S. and Terry Winograd wrote a book called 'Usability: turning technologies into tools' in 1992. - Steve Lawrence and C. Lee Giles discussed the accessibility of information on the web in a Nature journal article in 1999. - Mark Zachry and Charlotte Thralls conducted an interview with Edward R. Tufte related to selection-based search in the Technical Communication Quarterly in 2004. - 'The Click Heard Round The World' is an article in Wired journal from 1993. - Z39.50 is a reference to a protocol used in library information retrieval systems. Benefits of Selection-based Search - Selection-based search lowers the user barrier to search. - It allows users to launch a search query by selecting text on any application on their desktop. - Users can search the internet for more information about any keyword or phrase contained within a document or webpage. - It saves users from having to juggle multiple applications, web browsers, or search engines separately. - Selection-based search enables users to search for information in context, enhancing the value of the search results.