Open source software promises a brighter future where everyone can use their creative talent together to improve the things that they use. Even though open source programs may not have the same immense popularity as some closed source applications, you’ll find many open source projects being worked on worldwide.
One of the most promising domains for open source software is in search engines, and that’s what we’re going to be discussing in this short guide. Search engines are integral to making the internet a place that is easy to browse, and one that uses open source code has many potential benefits.
We’ll be taking a look at three aspects which are essential to any open source search engine, and when you’re acquainted with them, it will be far easier for you to choose the right one for your needs.
User-Friendliness
The first thing that you’ll want to account for is the interface of the search engine, as it will need to be simple enough for you to understand it. Of course, the degree of user-friendliness that’s required will vary from person to person, but an open source search engine should often be as easy as possible to use without compromising functionality.
A search engine that is simpler to use will have more users and will be more likely to thrive, but more importantly, it will be less likely to frustrate you when you try to use it. What’s the point of an open source search engine if you dread using it because it is unnecessarily clunky?
Development Style
You’ll also want to consider how an open source search engine is developed, as various platforms will have different design philosophies. For example, some search engines may feature a more controlled form of development in which all of the changes (no matter how small) have to be overlooked first, similar to a giant group project.
On the other hand, you can also go your own way in developing an open source search engine by finding some source code and seeing how far you can take it. The beauty of open source software lies in its versatility and the wide range of possible development techniques.
Speed
Finally, you’ll also have to account for the speed with which a search engine can index the results. Nobody wants to sit around for 15 minutes while they search the web, so the best open source search engine will be able to provide you with accurate results within moments of searching.
Conclusion
All three of these aspects are essential to a quality search engine. For example, user friendliness and speed will determine whether the search engine is worth using in the first place, and the style in which it is being developed will give you an idea of where it is headed. We hope that this guide has been both informative and helpful.