Here's the idea:

Using Google as your search engine, let's see how long it takes to return a result for a really obscure query. I've found a series of words when entered into google, they return no results. Good. Now let's see how long it takes for google to index a page with these words in it.

Here's the rules:

1) Pick an obscure comment, reference, research item, etc. Use "real" words in whatever language you choose. (ie.: railroad boxers moose potato shield flare pickle, I used html encoding on these words, so hopefully Google won't use this example and ruin my Cotse Google Herding ;p).

2) Go to www.google.com and enter it in the "Search" box. 3) Bookmark or add the resulting page to your bookmarks/favorites. Remember the date you added the bookmark. Personally, I checked the properties of the bookmark in Netscape and added a note to it in the "descriptions" field. In IE, I used the "right click" and "rename" feature to add the date to the end of the favorite's name.

4) Visit the bookmark daily. Continue to visit the bookmark daily until you get at least (1) hit returned from Google.

Sample Bookmark (dated 13 July 2003).

How long will this take? who knows... but it beats the daylights out of running out of places to visit and things to do while you're online. ;p

John Holstein,
Cotse Helpdesk/Support