Searching with eXcite

This Section Covers --

About eXcite
Query Basics

About eXcite

eXcite's technology offers a unique way to search the Web: by concept. Like most search engines, eXcite has programmed its search engine to look for documents containing the exact words you entered into the query box. But eXcite goes further and looks for ideas closely linked to the words in your query. This feature broadens your search.

Query Basics

A query is simply a description of the information you want. Unlike some systems that search for just those documents containing all the words in your query, eXcite will search for documents that are a best match for the words in your query. eXcite will also search for documents that are about the same concepts that your query describes, so sometimes eXcite will bring back articles that don't mention any of the words in your original query.

What this means is that your query -- the description of the information you want -- can be as detailed as you like. Don't worry about providing too many words; the more words, the better. Additional words in your query will help eXcite figure out what concepts you're really interested in. On the other hand, eXcite will do a pretty good job of figuring out what documents are interesting to you even if your query is vague.

For example, let's say you're searching for documents about fire hydrants. A good start would be:

Can I use my a fire hydant?

If you would like to make your search more specific, enter more detail:

Can I use a fire hydrant on my lawn?

Even if there are no documents that are actually talk about your lawn, eXcite will still show you documents about fire hydrants.

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