Web Search Considered Harmful

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, when you find yourself utterly disgusted by "American Idol," or any other of the latest "reality" shows on TV, you may decide, "What the heck, time to seek a slightly less horrible form of punishment: let's get on the Web."

If you're simply out for a bit of distraction, there's no end to the hours you can aimlessly fritter away with the greatest form of online adventure game yet invented. But if your desire is actually to find something you're after, the exercise may be somewhat less fulfilling. Finding something you're after is still much too hard for your average Joe (that would be me).

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.3 Information Search and Retrieval

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.5 On-line Information Services

General Terms:
Design