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From: johnh@ISI.EDU (John Heidemann)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.perl.announce,comp.lang.perl.misc
Subject: ANNOUNCE:  WWW::Search, a Perl API for web search engines
Followup-To: comp.lang.perl.misc
Date: 11 Oct 1996 03:43:19 GMT
Organization: Andreas Klemm, 41469 Neuss, Germany
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WHAT IS WWW::Search?
--------------------

WWW::Search is a collection of Perl modules which provide an API to
WWW search engines like AltaVista, Lycos, Hotbot, WebCrawler, and so
on. Currently WWW::Search includes the generic library, a back-end for
AltaVista, and a small demonstration program to drive the library.
Back-ends for other search engines and more sophisticated clients are
currently under development.

WWW::Search requires Perl5 and libwww-perl. For information on Perl5,
see http://www.perl.com. For libwww-perl, see
http://www.sn.no/libwww-perl/. Both are also available from the
Comprehensive Perl Archive Network (CPAN). Visit
http://www.perl.com/CPAN/ to find a CPAN site near you.


WHAT IS THE STATUS OF WWW::Search?
----------------------------------

This is the first release of WWW::Search.
It should be considered alpha-quality software.
We are releasing this version to get feedback about the interface
and services provided.

Although this an alpha release, complete library documentation
is included.

This release includes only a small demonstration program.  We expect
to release other applications based on this library in late
October/early November.


GETTING WWW::Search
-------------------

You can get WWW::Search from our web page at
<http://www.isi.edu/lsam/tools/WWW_SEARCH/>.

WWW::Search is not currently part of CPAN.  If response to WWW::Search
is positive we hope to add it to CPAN.

Feedback about WWW::Search is encouraged.  Information about the API
would be very helpful.  If you are interested in doing a back-end for
a new search engine or using WWW::Search for your projects, please let
us know.


   -John Heidemann
    USC/ISI



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