optics.org blog

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Just how good is Google?

By Susan Curtis

“Just Google it” has become something of a mantra of our times. Established just 10 years ago, Google is now so popular that its brandname is now synonymous with all that’s good about Internet search engines - and in the same way that Hoover transcended its original purpose to become an everyday word, the verb “to Google” is now widely used and understood.

But the vastness of the Internet means that Google doesn’t always return the results you’re looking for - particularly when you’re looking for specialized information. Try typing “wavelength” into Google, for example. Below the obvious listing from Wikipedia, you’ll find information on Wavelength Surfing magazine and Wavelength Records (which, if you’re interested, features Georgie Fame and Van Morrison among its more illustrious recording artists).

That’s why optics.org has developed a Google-like search tool for the photonics community. Called search.optics.org, the tool has been engineered to return results from websites that have been selected for their relevant optics content. The search results are also categorized by type - news, products, jobs, etc - to make it easier for you to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Type “wavelength” into search.optics.org, and you’ll find that the results speak for themselves: the first page returns results on swept-wavelength characterization, wavelength meters and wavelength calibration. Drill deeper into the different categories, and you’ll find product listings, research papers and events that in some way reference the word “wavelength”.

Try it out for yourself at search.optics.org. And if you like what you see, you can download search.optics.org to your Internet browser to get instant access to search.

Posted by Jacqueline Hewett on October 7, 2008 8:53 AM | Permalink