WebKWiC
Search Agent for
Google.com

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Warning
As currently implemented WebKWiC may not function properly. I intend to review and update it in May 2002. Your patience is appreciated!

Purpose

WebKWiC (Web Key Word in Context) harnesses the power of Google.com's popular search engine to simplify and accelerate the task of online research.  When you submit a search, WebKWiC automatically retrieves a number of documents matching your query terms from Google's cache. Google highlights the key words from your search with color codes to help you find them in context. WebKWiC adds navigation buttons to each document to help you locate you search terms and to facilitate working with multiple windows.  By avoiding the need to call up each document individually you can work much more efficiently.

Description

WebKWiC consists of several webpages and a common JavaScript file. The total size of these files is only about 20 kB. Due to browser security measures, these pages must be installed on your hard drive to work properly.

Alternative

KWiCFinder is a much larger and more powerful program which supports highly specific search criteria and offers a wide range of report options. KWiCFinder uses the AltaVista search engine. This page compares the two approaches.

Requirements

Currently WebKWiC can only be used under Windows with Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater. Cross-platform and cross-browser versions may be implemented when Netscape and Macintosh-compatible browsers provide appropriate functionality. Familiarity with using search engines is presumed. 

Download and Installation

Two download options are available; click on the desired link:

• The full installation package (320 k) installs the program, creates a Start Menu entry, and places a Shortcut to the program on your desktop. Recommended for most users.
• The do-it-yourself zip file (10 k) is a much smaller download which requires you to unzip the archive, create a folder for the files (suggestion:  c:\Program Files\WebKWiC) and make a shortcut to ensure that WebKWiC is run under Internet Explorer. Recommended only for experienced users with a slow connection.

Running a WebKWiC Search

WebKWiC's search window is adapted from Google.com's Advanced Search form. Follow this link to view WebKWiC's help page, and this link for Google.com's search help.

Potential Problems

If Netscape is your default browser, double-clicking on the WebKWiC.html file icon will launch Netscape, and WebKWiC cannot carry out your search. To run it under Internet Explorer, double-click on the WebKWiC.lnk icon instead (Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater must be installed on your system!). 

You may have to edit the properties of this shortcut (right-click on it and select 'Properties') to point to the Internet Explorer folder on your system and to the folder you have chosen for WebKWiC. If your operating system language is not English, substitute the appropriate designation for "C:\Program Files\".

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WebKWiC is ©2001 by miniAPPolis.com, which is not affiliated with Google®. All rights reserved, including, but not limited to, those of distribution and script modification. 12 March 2001.