This course examines the methods used to search for information in large
digital collections (e.g. Google) and how digital content is gathered by
search engines. We study classic techniques of indexing documents and
searching text and also new algorithms that exploit properties of the
Web (e.g. links) and other digital collections, including multimedia
collections. We contrast the problems and requirements of two extremes:
database systems and Web search engines. We also examine systems aspects
of search technology: how distributed computing and storage are used to
make information delivery efficient.