AltaVista Remodels

AltaVista has again redesigned its front-end and made many changes:

* The Search Assistant (formerly Power Search) is gone, with its search features integrated into a new Advanced Search page.
* The new Advanced Search page has dropped the ranking box, now defaults to 'site collapsing,' and has expanded the date and domain limits.
* AltaVista has returned to the tabs on top for access to its various database: Web, Image, Audio, Video, Directory, and News.
* The Directory (LookSmart) is new as a searchable tab, and the directory categories no longer show up at the bottom of the Web search results.
* AltaVista Basic will now display up to 1,000 results by continuing to page forward.
* The Customization page is harder to find, linked only from the Basic search pages under 'Settings,' and it is now the only way to get more than 10 hits per page. The Advanced Search no longer gives the option to get more than 10 hits at a time.
* They have added a Real Searches page which shows selected actual search statements in each database.
* AltaVista News headlines now include thumbnail images for about 20% (according to AltaVista) of stories, and the abstracts have been expanded.