ixquick - Startpage

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by Zeena, Apr 20, 2010.

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  1. Zeena

    Zeena Registered Member

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    Hi :)

    Do any of you use Startpage search engine by ixquick?

    What do you think of it?
    Is there some special way of using it?
    Is there a way to search within just one country? ( UK )

    I only got Startpage by ixquick yesterday.
    It's Just.. I'm a bit confused and disappointed :(

    Like Today....
    I wanted to find a shoe shop that I just couldn't remember the name of :rolleyes:

    Startpage - Typed In... Shoe Shops
    And got absolutely no where near what I was looking for :doubt:
    Approx 5 pages of not much!

    Google - Typed In... Shoe Shops
    And found the shoe shop I was looking for in no time :D
    Lots of Results!
    Found what I was looking for on something like - page 3

    Any... Advice - or - Tips! ;)

    Thanks In Advance!

    Zeena
     
  2. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    Yup, my homepage is https://eu.startpage.com/ which uses the dutch server (this is the closest to the UK you will get) and is also encrypted.
     
  3. Zeena

    Zeena Registered Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    UK
    Hi elapsed :)

    I'm pretty sure I'm already using the eu Startpage :doubt:
    Coz... My settings were automatically - English UK
    And... I've saved my Startpage as a URL
    So that I don't lose my settings each time a do a cookie clear out.
    The URL says - eu

    I've figured out one thing...
    Startpage does not show an unlimited number of search results. Why is that? o_O
    Answer...
    People usually find what they are looking for within the first page or two of search results. Startpage provides around 50-70 results for each search query, which is more than enough to answer most questions. We refine and select these results out of a much larger pool of "matching results" we receive from other search engines. By discarding less relevant search results, we are able to provide a top quality service in a way that is efficient and cost-effective.

    I got Startpage after reading this : http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/3452/search-the-internet-in-privacy-with-startpage-ixquick/

    But what exactly is the difference between the two links at the bottom of the article ? o_O

    Normal : http://www.startpage.com/

    Secure : https://us2.startpage.com/?r=9686

    Is the second the same as ticking....
    Always establish a secure connection between browser and Startpage's servers. Prevents ISP's from snooping. Results in a slightly longer processing time. :doubt:

    Thanks!

    Zeena
     
  4. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    You shouldn't be using the "us2." site that will probably connect to the American server, use the "eu." site. Yes always use HTTPS. It means whatever you type in your search box cannot be logged by your ISP or other malicious parties.

    Not much you can do about the limited search results, I guess it's to reduce CPU usage of the servers.
     
  5. Zeena

    Zeena Registered Member

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    Posts:
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    UK
    Hi elapsed :)


    Thanks for the great advice :thumb:

    Can't see me using Startpage too often though :(

    If anything... Think I've just found a greater appreciation for - Google

    I understand why Startpage limits the amount of search results.
    But that it's completely pointless if the few search results given are of no use to the person searching.

    Startpage says...
    But when I search with Startpage...
    I end up with results that are more like what I might see if I bothered to go to say... Page 110 of a Google search for the same thing o_O

    Plus!
    I Really HATE Sponsored Links :mad:
    And considering Startpage is supposed to be the most private secure search engine... It has more sponsored links than Google :rolleyes:
    But even worse...
    It's much harder with Startpage to see which are normal search results - & - Which are sponsored search results :cautious:

    Number Of Normal Search Results - Number Of Sponsored Search Results = Hardly Anything Left! :thumbd:

    :isay: ... Oh Well! - We Live & Learn!

    Thanks! ;)

    Zeena
     
  6. tobacco

    tobacco Frequent Poster

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  7. Zeena

    Zeena Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2008
    Posts:
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    Location:
    UK
    Hi tobacco :)

    Thanks For The Link! :thumb:

    Maybe in a few days when I've got over my experience with Startpage :rolleyes:

    Startpage has kind of put me off the idea of playing with search engines :oops:

    Thanks! ;)
     
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