Executive Summary
Download Any Stuff is intended to be a media search engine to assist the individual in searching for free music, movies, books etc. It searches Rapidshare and Megaupload files host databases and other pdf and document files to return results to a user's search query. In addition, it provides the added benefit of searching using Google search syntax to direct and refine the search. Once results have been returned, the user also has the added benefit of refining results by selecting certain categories (eg. e-books, movies etc.). Result content is organized just like any other results for Google Custom Search. A series of 10 links are displayed per page together with a number of advertisements by Google.
Having analyzed Download Any Stuff as well as two other similar search engines (FilesTube an Filecrop), I have decided not to recommend Download Any Stuff. As a media search engine, it pales in comparison with the other 2 search engines in terms of volume of results and accuracy of results. Both FilesTube and Filecrop return more relevant links as they search only file hosting and sharing websites. Both search engines also provide a greater array of options in terms of search preferences. Both search engines allow the user to define upper and lower limits for file sizes. In addition, FilesTube provides an advanced search option that allows the user to refine their search even further, partially compensating for the inability to use Google search syntax.
In terms of organization and general convenience, Filecrop ranks first. Both the other two return a series of results whereas Filecrop uses a table format to organize the results, detailing information regarding file size, source and type in a systematic manner. Filecrop also has little to no advertisements. The overall effect is a clean and easy-to-navigate search engine.
Taking all factors into consideration, I would go with Filecrop to satisfy my downloading needs for music, movies, software, e-books etc. Despite the result limit of 500, the clean appearance, organized results and relevant links make it a clear winner.
Follow the links below to navigate to the other aspects of the search engine project.
Download Any Stuff demonstration: screen-capture shots and narrative description of the search engine
Analysis of Search Engine: analysis of the features and capabilities of the search engine
Comparison: comparison to other similar search engines (Filecrop & FilesTube)
