Microsoft Goes Live With Search

Microsoft Goes Live With Search

MSN Search, developed using a new algorithm with five billion indexed entries in its database, features a number of categories to help users target their searches. Web, news, images, music, images and desktop categories return specific types of results to make it easier to find specific information. The music category, for instance, allows users to search for a recording artist, song or album. The search results provide links to music files and other content provided by MSN Music. Users are also able to sample, purchase and download music.

In addition, users can obtain information pulled from Microsoft's Encarta online encyclopedia. Another feature is "Search Near Me," which allows users to search for information and resources in their geographic locations.

"This built-from-the-ground-up version of MSN Search provides an infrastructure that enables us to rapidly innovate and give consumers precisely the information they're looking for, no matter where it's located," Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's corporate vice president of information services, said in a statement.