Investment Search Engine : The Scannery

http://www.thescannery.com/

[Brett_Tabke]

[sundaytimes.co.za...]

A new search engine named The Scannery has been launched by local company, TimbukOne, allowing users to search the Web sites of 11 000 publicly traded companies across the world.

[thescannery.com...]

[Webwork]

Bizarre.

I search Ford and PepsiCo comes up.

I search IBM and Geogia-Pacific comes up.

Fuzzy logic = Fuzzy results?

Maybe fuzzy user interface.

[jeremy goodrich]

Dude, that's a search engine?

MSFT -> got more than 2 matches, neither of which were Microsoft, and they said it was "100%" ;)

Nice idea, I guess...perhaps they need to slap "beta" on it?

[Robino]

I think it's broken.

[HughMungus]

I can't remember the last time I went to a company's website to get information about the company...oh wait that's because I get it from the news.

[Monus]

I think it's broken.

it's not broken... it's Microsoft-IIS/5.0

And this is not a search engine, it's realy notting. I am wondering why brett put it here.

[Allergic]

The default option of relevance is by "hits". Simply use "Sort type" by Score.

[Dasana]

Hi All. I am working in the company that produces The Scannery. I admit that I am only an amateur webmaster but would like to reply to the above posts:

Webwork - As you are aware not all companies allow their websites to be indexed. IBM, Ford, Proctor & Gamble are amongst these. We respect the robots.txt. Therefore the only references to Ford and IBM will be on third party sites. Also, Ford is a really generic word and may have nothing to do with Ford Motor company as intended.

Jeremy - MSFT is the Microsoft stock market ticker. Microsoft will not generally refer to itself as MSFT on their own website. A search for "Microsoft" returns far more results across the board. Also, the purpose of The Scannery (for an investor) would not be to find Microsoft's website (which surely we all know and do not require a search) but rather to search for words or phrases (rather than company names). eg if an investor wanted to find public companies manufacturing optical fiber working in Taiwan.

Robino - Clearly its not broken. We have served thousands of search requests succesfully and received at least 1 compliment :)

HughMungus - See above. I dont think you understand the purpose of the website which I admit is our fault for failing to communicate it correctly.

Monus - Well, yes, IIS leaves something to be desired but I already admitted I'm an amateur! But why you think "its notting" I have no idea. The Scannery indexes websites and allows users to search over 6Gb of this info within seconds. I think this falls under the definition of search engine?

I hope this clarifies things and thanks for giving the feedback which did allow us to make some changes specifically to the help page and the message that gets returned for zero results.

[edited by: Dasana at 5:35 am (utc) on Nov. 26, 2003]

[pmac]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld Dasana.

[Dasana]

Thanks pmac. Nice website. Tough crowd :)

[martinibuster]

>>Tough crowd

Yes, but generally as cruel as your mirror.
;) Y

A warm welcome to you!

[Dasana]

>> Yes, but generally as cruel as your mirror.

Hi martinibuster. So, let me get this right - I come here to see our website get slammed and for me to get personally insulted? mmmm...sounds like adding insult to insult ;)

LOL!

[john316]

Nice work Dasana!

Don't take the the slams too personal, some of the members here have the google noose on so tight that they have lost circulation to the brain, I appreciate your effort to diversify ANY area of search.

Cool engine.

[Dasana]

Thanks john316. We aim to please. Most of our target market is in SA and thats ok :)

"john316" - is it a reference to the "Big Book"?

[georgeek]

...some of the members here have the google noose on so tight that they have lost circulation to the brain.

LOL....excellent one liner :) :)

<wipes coffee of screen>

[Monus]

Monus - Well, yes, IIS leaves something to be desired but I already admitted I'm an amateur! But why you think "its notting" I have no idea. The Scannery indexes websites and allows users to search over 6Gb of this info within seconds. I think this falls under the definition of search engine?

Welcome Dasana

If you have 6 gig of data than you have some space (10MB) for a field for the 'stock market ticker' or a small database (categories) for the oficial companies with some info. For the searches what I have done is the result very poor.

But a search script is only a script and can be changed every day. Work on your algo and this project can become something.

ps. I like the name.

[jeremy goodrich]

Thanks for the clarification on why I thought your engine was broken! Next time I'm in the mood to do company specific research I'll try & remember to give it a whirl.

[Dasana]

But a search script is only a script and can be changed every day. Work on your algo and this project can become something.

Monus, sorry typo, I meant 16Gb of data. But yes you are 100% correct. We can change and refine the search on an on-going basis. And we will. Plus your company database suggestion is already in the works :) Thanks again for your feedback and comments.

[Dasana]

Next time I'm in the mood to do company specific research I'll try & remember to give it a whirl.

jeremy I think I have not explained it properly. The Scannery is not so much for "company specific research" which requires you to be able to go to a specific company website. The Scannery is more useful when you want to find those companies within a specific group or country that match certain search criteria. ie. find publicly traded companies that manufacture optical fiber and are listed on the Taiwan stock exchange. Here The Scannery can help.

In respect of company specific research we are in final stages of completing this addition to our site and will address this need ( hopefully! :)

Thanks for your comments and for this forum to allow for this feedback and interaction.