Marginalia: DIY search engine that focuses on non-commercial content (search.marginalia.nu)

Article summary

Marginalia is a DIY search engine that prioritizes non-commercial content and uses custom index and crawler software. It aims to help users discover lost or obscure websites and provides tools for both search and discovery. The search engine is licensed under AGPL and has a policy of not sharing data with third parties or retaining IPs for long periods. It also has a feature called Random Mode that allows users to stumble upon new and interesting websites.

Main themes

• non-commercial search engine
• internet discovery
• web design and accessibility
• search result quality
• censorship and moderation
• universal broadcast
• internet history and nostalgia
• search engine algorithms and scalability

What commenters say

• The internet was more accessible and weirder in the past, with tools like Flash allowing for easier creation of unique web pages.
• Modern web design has become more complex and less accessible to non-experts, making it harder for individuals to create unique and interesting content.
• Some users miss the old internet and the discovery experience it provided, with services like StumbleUpon being fondly remembered.
• The search engine's results can be overwhelming and difficult to read, with some users suggesting improvements to the user interface.
• The internet's lack of censorship and moderation can lead to a high volume of low-quality or fringe content being displayed in search results.
• There is a trade-off between the benefits of universal broadcast and the drawbacks of allowing all voices to be heard, with some arguing that not all voices are equal in utility or worth.
• The search engine's focus on non-commercial content and lack of AI-driven algorithms makes it a unique and potentially useful tool for internet discovery.
• The project's custom index software and potential for scalability are seen as positives, but the search engine is not intended to be a Google replacement and is instead focused on exploring the obscure web.