Marginalia is a search engine designed to surface non-commercial content, prioritizing personal websites, blogs, and other independently published works often overshadowed by commercial results in mainstream search. It aims to rediscover the original spirit of the web by focusing on unique, human-generated content and fostering a richer, more diverse online experience. The search engine utilizes a custom index built by crawling sites linked from curated sources, filtering out commercial and spammy domains. Marginalia emphasizes quality over quantity, presenting a smaller, more carefully selected set of results to help users find hidden gems and explore lesser-known corners of the internet.
SimpleSearch is a website that aggregates a large directory of specialized search engines, presented as a straightforward, uncluttered list. It aims to provide a quick access point for users to find information across various domains, from academic resources and code repositories to specific file types and social media platforms. Rather than relying on a single, general-purpose search engine, SimpleSearch offers a curated collection of tools tailored to different search needs.
HN users generally praised SimpleSearch for its clean design and utility, particularly for its quick access to various specialized search engines. Several commenters suggested additions, including academic search engines like BASE and PubMed, code-specific search like Sourcegraph, and visual search tools like Google Images. Some discussed the benefits of curated lists versus relying on browser search engines, with a few noting the project's similarity to existing search aggregators. The creator responded to several suggestions and expressed interest in incorporating user feedback. A minor point of contention arose regarding the inclusion of Google, but overall the reception was positive, with many appreciating the simplicity and convenience offered by the site.
Summary of Comments ( 54 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42836405
Hacker News users generally praised Marginalia's concept of prioritizing non-commercial content, viewing it as a refreshing alternative to mainstream search engines saturated with ads and SEO-driven results. Several commenters expressed enthusiasm for the focus on personal websites, blogs, and academic resources. Some questioned the long-term viability of relying solely on donations, while others suggested potential improvements like user accounts, saved searches, and more granular control over source filtering. There was also discussion around the definition of "non-commercial," with some users highlighting the inherent difficulty in objectively classifying content. A few commenters shared their initial search experiences, noting both successes in finding unique content and instances where the results were too niche or limited. Overall, the sentiment leaned towards cautious optimism, with many expressing hope that Marginalia could carve out a valuable space in the search landscape.
The Hacker News post discussing Marginalia, a search engine prioritizing non-commercial content, has generated a moderate number of comments, largely focusing on the challenges and potential pitfalls of defining and identifying "non-commercial" content.
Several commenters express skepticism about the feasibility of truly separating commercial from non-commercial content. One points out the difficulty in classifying sites like Wikipedia, which while non-commercial itself, relies on for-profit hosting providers and utilizes commercial CDNs. Another highlights the blurred lines in the blogosphere, where personal blogs might contain affiliate links or sponsored posts, making their classification ambiguous. The discussion also touches on the potential for "commercial" entities to game the system by disguising their content as non-commercial.
Some users express concern that prioritizing non-commercial content might inadvertently favor lower-quality information. They argue that commercial websites often invest heavily in producing high-quality, well-researched content, and excluding them could lead to a less informative search experience. The counter-argument presented is that the current search landscape is oversaturated with commercially-driven SEO content, often lacking depth and originality, and that prioritizing non-commercial sources might unearth hidden gems and diverse perspectives.
A few commenters delve into the technical aspects of Marginalia's implementation, questioning the specific criteria used to filter commercial content. They raise concerns about potential biases in the algorithm and the possibility of false positives and negatives. One user suggests that a more transparent approach, perhaps involving community input or user-defined filters, might be more effective.
The discussion also briefly touches on alternative approaches to improving search quality, such as personalized search engines and the use of advanced search operators. Some users express interest in the project and its potential to offer a different perspective on the web, while others remain skeptical about its long-term viability and impact. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious optimism tempered by a realistic understanding of the complexities involved in filtering and prioritizing online content.