Testing Deepy, a new search engine

A Saudi Arabian company is testing a new search engine based on the Gigablast database.

(June 26 2005) The first question to ask when someone launches a new search engine to compete with rather well functioning giants like Google and Yahoo! is: Does it bring you anything new? Is there a value added?

One such new search engine is Deepy, which has now been launched in a beta test version.

Powered by Gigablast

It should be noted that Deepy isn't really a new search engine as such. It is powered by Matt Wells' Gigablast search engine. Hence the results are identical to the ones you find at the Gigablast site.

However, Deepy certainly presents a new approach to the search interface.

Advanced interface with spell check

Deepy presents a javascript based interface that makes use of the whole browser window and more. It automatically adds new toolbars and menus to the browser interface.

This does not become apparent until you have done your first search, as the home page appears to be a very Google-like simplified interface.

However, as soon as you enter letters in the search form, it starts checking the spelling for you (English only).

If it cannot find the word in its dictionary, it will propose an alternative. Click on the proposal, and it will replace what you have written in the search field.

Search history

There is an automatic search history generator that remembers your searches for you. Hence you can go back and find old research lists.

This feature is cookie based. If you delete the cookie, the history is gone.

Split screen

However, it is not until you start using the search result pages, that you see the main difference between Deepy and other search engines.

If you click on a search result, Deepy will split the screen for you. Deepy remains in the top frame, while it gives you the relevant web site in the bottom frame.

This is in no way an earth shattering innovation. It has been done before.

Deepy does present a variation of this theme that is interesting, though. Instead of clicking on the web page title in the search engine result list, you click on a link marked View TextShot.

This brings up an alternative copy of the web page in the lower frame, a copy that is stripped of images and unnecessary information.

In this frame your search query is highlighted, making it easier to see if this page is relevant to your need.

Zoom feature

The individual terms included in your search query are listed in the bar dividing the two frames. Click on one of these terms, and Deepy will take you to the next occurrence of this word on the text only version of the page.

There are zoom buttons that lets you enlarge or reduce the font size of the page in question. Actually, this feature works even if you load the full web page with pictures and all.

A little bit slow

The javascript technology does put strong demands on your computer, and it is definitely a bit slow.

Accordingly, Deepy is very clear about this being a search engine for broadband users only.They are working on making the first official version faster.

Deepy supports IE5.X, Firefox 1.2, and Opera 8. It does not work properly on Safari on the Mac, but it works fine with Firefox.

Enter the Saudis

It is interesting to not that Deepy is developed by a Saudi Arabian called Tajseed Solutions, a part of the Dar Al Riyadh Holding Group. Searching has definitely become an international phenomenon!

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