-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Fw: USGS Web Sites Now Using the Google Search Technologies
Date:   Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:02:25 -0500
From:   John C Fouke <[log in to unmask]>
To:     maps-l



If you have ever tried to search for information at the USGS website using
the search engine on the website, it is likely you were frustrated in the
past with the results of the search.  That should now be a more successful
experience.  Here in the Rolla Science Information Office (ESIC) we are
glad for the new search engine because of the great variety of information
requests we receive that we don't have a ready standard answer for. Please
see below for details about the new search engine:

-----

 MEMORANDUM


To:             All USGS Employees

From:           Karen Siderelis /signed/ Karen Siderelis
Associate Director for Geospatial Information

Subject:        USGS Web Sites Now Using the Google Search Technologies

According to feedback from users, the search capability on our public Web
sites was not meeting their needs.  Also, employees were not satisfied
with the search functionality on the USGS Intranet.   In September 2006,
the Geospatial Information Office (GIO) established the EWeb Search
Improvement Team to enhance search functionality for both our public and
internal Web presence.

The first phase of this effort involved researching government best
practices and evaluating several technology options.

Public Web Site Search
The team’s analysis indicated that the Google Custom Search Engine was the
best solution for our public Web pages.

The Google Custom search engine:
ç»       Helps the public and USGS employees find, get, and use our science
and information
ç»       Replaces an out-of-date search engine
ç»       Allows users to customize and configure search indices and results
ç»       Enables the GIO to focus resources on   Intranet search
improvement and the integration of project data and information across the
bureau.

The Google Custom Search Engine indexes all Web sites in the USGS domain
(usgs.gov) and public non-USGS domain websites, such as nationalmap.gov,
nbii.gov, and gisdata.usgs.net.

The Google Custom Search Engine has markedly improved users’ search
capability on public USGS Web pages.  This table shows several sample
queries and the top result returned for both the previous and new search
engine:

Query Term
Top result returned by previous search engine
Top result returned by
Google Custom Search Engine
Volcano
23-30 June 2004 summary of the eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i
U.S. Geological Survey, Volcano Hazards Program
Climate Change
Exploring the Impacts of Global Climate Change on Migrating Pectoral
Sandpipers
USGS Global Change Research Program

Water Cycle
Nataalu melokani ndokh - The Water Cycle: Diagram of the water cycle in
Wolof
The Water Cycle, from USGS Water Science for Schools