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search engine: ç» Helps the public and USGS employees find, get, and use our science and information ç» Replaces an out-of-date search engine ç» Allows users to customize and configure search indices and results ç» Enables the GIO to focus resources on Intranet search improvement and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