> There's an ongoing debate on Copernic as to whether > it is "adware/spyware" with not only their ads but > they have a company (run > a search for the comapny name) that targets the ads > to the Copernic user.
However, you don't have to give them any (valid) information when you originally download the program. They have no way of knowing any individually identifiable information about you, especially if your ISP uses DHCP (which most do) which gives you a different IP address every time you turn on your computer.
> "Cookies" are a given.
Actually, they're not. You can set your browser to reject cookies (in Netscape under Edit/Preferences/Advanced and in IE under Tools/Internet Options/Security/Custom Level). No search engines that I have come across require you to accept cookies to work.
I have used most major search engines and meta search engines (the ones that look through other search engines) and have found the one that works best for me is Copernic (downloadable for free at www.copernic.com). I always get relevant results near the top of the list, and never get sites that are no longer there or are irrelevant (hate those sex sites that trick most search engines!).
The way Google works is by listing the ones that are linked to the most by other sites, which means that if a site is relatively new it may not be listed. I've also heard rumours they are also beginning to accept paid placement.
Jennifer
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