Crawler-based search engines are made up of three major elements: the spider, the index, and the software. Each has its own function and together they produce what we have come to trust (or distrust) on the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).
The Hungry Spider
Also known as a web crawler or robot, a search engine spider is an automated program that reads web pages and follows any links to other pages within the site. This is often referred to as a site being "spidered" or "crawled". There are three very hungry and active spiders on the Net. Their names are Googlebot (Google), Slurp (Yahoo!) and MSNBot (MSN Search).
Spiders start their journeys with a list of page URLs that have previously been added to their index (database). As it visits these pages, crawling the code and copy, it adds new pages (links) that it finds on the page to its index. As such, one could refer to a spider as feeding an evolving index, which is discussed below.
The spider returns to the sites in its index on a regular basis, scanning for any changes. How often the spider returns is up to the search engines to decide. Website owners do have some control in how often a spider visits their site by making use of a robot.txt file. Search engines first look for this file before crawling a page further.
The Growing Index
An index is like a giant catalogue or inventory of websites containing a copy of every web page and file that the spider finds. If a web page changes, this catalogue is updated with the new information. To give you an idea of the size of these indexes, the latest figure released by Google is 8 billion pages.
It sometimes takes a while for new pages or changes that the spider finds to be added to its index. Thus, a web page may have been "spidered" but not yet "indexed." Until a page is indexed - added to the index - spidered pages will not be available to those searching with the search engine.
Search engine software is the third part of a search engine. This is the program that sifts through the millions of pages recorded in the index to find matches to a search and rank them in order of what it believes is most relevant. You can learn more about how search engine software ranks web pages on the aptly-named How Search Engines Rank Web Pages page.
Queenstown is the New Zealand destination for international visitors. Its natural beauty changes with the seasons, the lake gleans in the summer sun, and snow clad mountains tower above the township in winter. Queenstown is a great place to visit all year round. Nestled in beside the mysterious Lake Wakatipu, in the Southern Lakes district of New Zealand, Queenstown is a cosmopolitan haven, offering a limitless adventure, southern wine and cuisine, and breathtaking alpine scenery.
Queenstown doesn't earn its title of Adventure Capital of the World for nothing. Here, you can bungy jump, ski or snowboard, paraglide, jet boat, white water raft, skydive, hang glide, jetski, and drive quadbikes to your heart's content!
For its remoteness, Queenstown is one the busiest little towns in the country, sporting the equivalent to around half the population of New Zealand in tourists in 2006, who came to experience the unique "Adventure Capital of the World", and to relax on the scenic walks, flights, and cruises, taking in the vast lakes, rushing rivers, and awe-inspiring mountains.
Jet Boating
The "waterjet" was originally built by Bill Hamilton, later and more formally know as Sir Charles William Feilden Hamilton, in 1954. The boat was designed to navigate the narrow and shallow rivers in the Queenstown area, such as the Shotover and Kawarau rivers. In 1960, Kawarau Jet became the first commercial jetboat company in the world, and is still running today, along with Shotover Jet, and other small companies.
Bungy Jumping
Probably Queenstown's most famous thrill-seeking activity is bungy jumping (also known as bungee jumping), where a long elastic cord is attached to the ankles or harness, and the person jumps off a large height. New Zealand was brought to the forefront of adventure sport when in 1888 AJ Hackett opened the first commercial bungy jump from the Kawarau Bridge, 43 metres (141 feet), over the Kawarau river.
The Queenstown area houses three bungy sites, apparently the jump off the top of the gondola was moved around the mountain due to the graveyard below, and the inappropriate screaming during burials... This particular jump starts 400m, that's 1300ft! over the city, and you can choose to jump normally, or swing over the township, night or day.
Bungy jumping was inspired by David Attenborough's 1950's footage of the land divers of Pentecost Island Vanuatu, who tied vines to their ankles and jumped off tall platforms as a religious ceremony to bring a good harvest.
This week's featured Bungy Jumping activities in Queenstown are:
Featured Bungy Jumping Activities
Queenstown Ledge Urban Bungy Jump
Queenstown The Ledge Urban Bungy Jump offers a 'runway jump' taking Bungy Jumping to a new level in height and adrenaline rush. The runway is designed so that you run out of the Bungy Jump pod 400 meters over Queenstown. Combining this with the possibility of doing it all at night creates an extreme urban adventure guaranteed to take your breath away.
What makes this special is the Bungy harness which allows you to vary your Bungy Jump style; try a flip, twist, or numerous other options all purpose built to provide a different Bungy experience and maximum rush. Not convinced? Try doing this all at night with the lights of Queenstown far below.
Famous For:
Run and Jump Bungy style
Best views in Queenstown with access via the Gondola
Freefalling 400 meters over Queenstown
Only night Bungy in New Zealand
The Ledge - Queenstown's Sky Swing
And now for something completely different... remember the swing you had in your back yard? Well, the Ledge Urban Sky Swing takes that to a whole new level. In fact a level 400 meters over Queenstown.
Once harnessed your lowered to the release 'station'. Let the thrill take over!
As you swing away the biggest surprise is not knowing when you'll change from fall to swing. Just as your brain convinces you the fall will never stop, you begin arching out 400 meters over Queenstown.
The nightlife in Queenstown is famous for being fast and furious, so we decided to do the same with the Sky Swing. The Ledge Urban Sky Swing is the only swing operating at night. It might pay to leave dinner to afterwards if you know what we mean.
Famous For:
Swinging out 400 meters over Queenstown
Only night Swing in New Zealand
Best views in Queenstown with access via the Gondola
Providing a quick thrill fix! - Queenstown's only urban Swing
Queenstown Nevis Highwire Bungy Jump
The ultimate Bungy Jump challenge. Make no mistake, the Queenstown Nevis Highwire Bungy is not for the nervous - with a wild 134 meters (440 feet) drop, the river seems to rush towards you faster than you're rushing towards it!
With the Nevis Highwire Bungy, getting there is half the fun! The experience kicks off with a rugged 35 minute back-blocks 4x4 drive before you get harnessed up and board the shuttle, which ferries you to the Bungy Pod.
After arriving at the Bungy Pod you'll have time to come to grips with what you're about to do...Bungy 134 meters over the Nevis Valley.
Once off the edge it's simply a matter of basking in the glory of what you have achieved, as well as coming to grips with the 8 ½ seconds of freefall!
Famous For:
8.5 seconds of freefall
Worlds wildest Bungy
New Zealand's ultimate personal challenge
Southern alpine adventure
"Physically, no harm will come to the jumper. The system is very gentle on a person who jumps. You can be a big strong guy or a little wee girl or a paraplegic or a very old person - it's no problem to jump all these people because the thing about Bungy is that it's from the shoulders up not the shoulders down and so it's inside your head." AJ Hackett.
The Original Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump in Queenstown
The ultimate Queenstown challenge is Bungy and go from nervous to completely elated in five seconds. 99% of clients say it's the best thing they have ever done.
If you've heard of Bungy, you've heard of Kawarau - home to the original 43-metre Bungy Jump. The world's first and most infamous of leaps is still going strong, with tens of thousands Bungying each year.
At the world's best-loved Bungy site, you can choose from a number of options; topple over backwards, forwards, with another person, spin or somersault. Kawarau Bridge Bungy is also the only Bungy in Queenstown where you can choose to bob above the water, touch it, or be fully immersed.
Famous For:
World's first commercial Bungy
Huge variety of ways to Bungy
Water touch option
Party Central
"Physically, no harm will come to the jumper. The system is very gentle on a person who jumps. You can be a big strong guy or a little wee girl or a paraplegic or a very old person - it's no problem to jump all these people because the thing about Bungy is that it's from the shoulders up not the shoulders down& so it's inside your head."
Queenstown possesses the perfect location to base yourself while you explore the wonders of Fiordland National Park and the rest of the Southern Lakes region. The magnificence of Queenstown's lake side location and the range of accommodation and attractions available make it an essential part of any visit to New Zealand
Fiordland
Fiordland is New Zealand's largest national park at almost 3 million acres. It covers much of the southern part of the South Island's West Coast.
The Sounds in Fiordland are arguably the most beautiful places in New Zealand, and that's saying something! Wildlife, waterfalls, unforested valleys, crystal clear lakes, and elegant mountains are what make up the views, and the only signs of human inhabitation are the tracks running deep into the bush, and the cruises down the sounds.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is truly breathtaking. So much that it often attracts the title of "The Eighth Natural Wonder of the World". Fiordland is one of the wettest places in the world, and is as beautiful raining as it is with clear skies. When it rains, waterfalls spring up anywhere, too many to count.
Cruise ships going into Milford Sound can take you right underneath massive waterfalls, and the whole 16km to the end of the sound, where you meet the vast, angry Tasman Sea.
Doubtful Sound
Doubtful Sound is the second longest in Fiordland at 40km long. On a cruise down Doubtful Sound you will experience more shades of lush green than you knew existed, while you drift over 420 meter deep water.
In both Milford and Doubtful Sounds, you will experience a host of wildlife; seals and crested penguins gather on the shores, and sometimes bottlenosed dolphins can be sighted playfully swimming along side the boat.
Te Anau
Te Anau is the centrepiece town of Fiordland, is the starting point for famous southern walking tracks the Milford, Kepler, and Hollyford tracks. Located on the shores of Lake Te Anau, with full view of snowy mountains, the scenery makes the town a relaxing destination.
Take a short cruise to see the unique glow worm caves, the only freely changing ones in the world. This is the best place to base yourself while exploring the sounds.
Day Tour - Queenstown - Starting from NZ $586.00 per adult
Leave Queenstown and visit Milford Sound for the day. Traveling by coach, boat and plane, highlights of the tour include, Te Anau, Eglinton Valley - ancient alpine beech forest, Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound Red Boat Cruise and a Milford Sound Scenic Flight. More...
Day Tour - Queenstown - Starting from NZ $226.00 per adult
Milford Sound is today frequently referred to as the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World. Discover ancient forest, stunning waterfalls and towering mountain peaks on your full day tour from Queenstown to the World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. Take an unforgettable cruise aboard a Milford Sound Red Boat to experience the heart-stopping, pristine scenery, towering peaks, waterfalls and marine and bird life! More...
A day excursion with Great sights to one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Enjoy a spectacular day in the Fiordland World Heritage Park culminating with a cruise of famous Milford Sound. More...
Sightseeing Cruise - Queenstown - Starting from around NZ $230.00 per person
Be struck by the beautiful silence of Doubtful Sound as you cruise the crystal waters and take in the breathtaking scenery. Journey across Lake Manapouri, cross over the 670-meter high Wilmot Pass and enjoy a 3-hour catamaran cruise through pure serenity that is Doubtful Sound.
Multi-day Cruise - Queenstown - Starting from around NZ $430.00 per person
An overnight cruise amidst spectacular Milford Sound, is a once in a lifetime experience. While on board the Milford Mariner you will cruise the full length of this spectacular fiord to the Tasman Sea before anchoring for the night in sheltered Harrison Cove.
As you board your luxury coach in Queenstown you can enjoy a relaxing 5-hour trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative
Wow! Can you imagine the adrenaline rush you could get from these 10 amazing activities!
It would cost a pretty penny to engage in most of these activities, but what the heck, you can’t take it with you anyway and if you should die in pursuit of completing this list, then you’ll have died doing what only a handful of other people have done in their lifetime.
1.GO SKYDIVING
Skydiving has to be the most incredible ride of a lifetime. Taking a leap-of-faith out of the cargo hold on a B90 King Air airplane at an altitude of approximately 30,000 and free falling for about 2 minutes requires courage or just an “I am dying anyways” attitude. At this height, it requires breathing pure 100% oxygen, so to prevent getting the “bends” that could result in death.
Can you imagine the rush that skydiving is falling at more than 120+MPH straight towards the earth, knowing that there is a chance that this jump could possible be your last?
Fact:
Skydiving is statistically safer than scuba diving.
2. DOCK WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
Can anyone spare a little extra change of about $20 million to book a trip to spend a week on board the International Space Station. Wow, this vacation would be the trip of a lifetime. Just imagine, staring out from the International Space Station and gazing at the awesome blue marble that we know as Earth and experiencing weightlessness would be a hoot, too. You’ll be sent a postcard or an email or something for your donation.
Fact:
The International Space Shuttle has taken more than 293,141 images of the earth. The Space Shuttle has taken more than 287,116 images, the Mir with 2,512 images and the Skylab with a mere 37 images that are stored in NASA’s databases.
3.EDGE OF SPACE SUPERSONIC JET RIDE
Ok, you don’t have a spare $20 million to spend for a 7-day trip to the International Space Station. That’s fine, but you don’t have to give up. How about considering a trip to the edge of space in a British Jet Fighter called the Lightning? Just think about it for a minute. Imagine flying 60,000 feet high over the earth at a speed of 50 thousand feet per minute and seeing the curvature of the earth. Now, that would fill a barf bag up with a stomach full of excitement.
Fact:
To put 60,000 feet in perspective, it’s like stacking 41.29 Empire State Building one on top of another and still fall a little short of the height that this flight would take you.
4.TAKE A RIDE ON A RUSSIAN MIG-FIGHTER JET
The modern-day cold war will just have to wait until after we get our chance to take a ride on the legendary MiG-29 or the extraordinary MiG-31 Foxhound, while pulling G’s way beyond the speed of sound. The best thing is that the Sokol Aircraft Plant in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia is not that far from Alaska, so if we book this adventure right, then we have the chance to see Alaska, too.
Fact:
The MiG-31 Foxhound can travel at a top speed of 1,865 mph using its power- plant of two 34,171-lb after-burning thrust Soloviev D-30F6 turbofans.
5.DIVE TO THE TITANIC ON-BOARD A SUBMARINE
If you feel more comfortable exploring the mysteries beneath the oceans, then visiting the world-famous Titanic must be at the top of any things to do list before you die kind of thing. For a mere $35,000 you could be one of the chosen few to see first hand probably the world’s most famous shipwreck. Traveling down to 3800 meters to the ocean’s bottom where light is a stranger this deep below the surface and the beast are tough.
Fact:
Only 706 passengers and crew managed to overcome the tragic sinking and the elements out of more than 2222 passengers and crew.
6.CLIMB THE GREAT PYRAMID OF EGYPT
Following in the footsteps of King Khufu and travel back in time to 2720-2560 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting2720-2560end_of_the_skype_highlighting BC to marvel at the engineering masterpiece of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza. An estimated 2.6 million blocks weighing as much as 70 tons apiece were used in the construction of the Great Pyramid. Can you imagine the sense of achievement that it would be to climb to the top of the 482-foot Great Pyramid and panning the vast desert landscape?
Fact:
The subterranean chamber leads to a passage that descends 345 feet beneath the earth. It’s foundation covers thirteen acres and has lost 33 feet of all of its dimensions due to erosion of its marble encasing that once was used to protect the pyramid from the brutal desert elements.
7. VISIT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
The Great Wall of China was built in the Qin, Han and Ming dynasties as defensive fortifications during the Warring States Periods of the Yan, Zhao and Qin dynasties. However, it did not become known as the Great Wall until the Qin dynasty. The construction required an army of labor that included soldiers, prisoners and average people to complete the more than 4163 miles of the wall. With a history of more than 2000 years, this is one destination that cannot be missed out on.
Fact 1:
It took “The China Great Wall Academy” 45-days to survey all of the 101 sections of the Wall in different provinces. That’s one time-consuming job.
Fact 2:
The Chinese call the Wall “Wan-Li Qang Qeng” when translated 10,000-Li Long Wall, which 10000 Li equals about 5000 km. It was built solid with a thickness of 30 feet at its widest area and a mere 15 feet at its narrowest sections.
8. COVERT OPS
Live out your wildest dream of becoming an ultra-secret covert agent and assigned a mission to take down the enemy hideout and complete the mission. No, you don’t have to join the military to experience the action of a realistic covert operation and receive covert ops training before the mission begins.
Incredible-Adventures.com offers such a vacation for the most extreme vacation adventurers among us. I found this website while researching for this article and was amazed at what some people are willing to do, just to add a little adventure in their lives. Sure, combat pistol training and high-speed evasive driving excises might sound exciting and becoming secret agent 021 (3 times more lethal than 007) has always captured the attention of many young men and boys the world over.
Fact:
Dropping down behind enemy lines operating under deep cover and carrying out missions only a few high-level government officials have approved is normally referred to as Covert Ops (Covert Operations).
9. DIVING WITH SHARKS
After watching the movie Jaws, it seemed like the perfect extreme vacation that would scare the heck out of you and overload the senses with unthinkable excitement. Great white sharks circling the cage like a prehistoric stealth bomber planning its attack. The only thing that is between you and them is a stainless steel cage. Every time the sharks crash into the cage with the power of a truck, the strength of the engineering is being tested. Diving with sharks is on this list, because the attraction can eat the spectators.
Fact:
10.TAKE AN AFRICAN SAFARI
The world-record for the largest Great White Shark was caught in 1948 and measured at 21 feet long almost 5 feet longer than the average size Great White Shark.
One of the coolest vacations that a person could ever take is booking an African safari. Just think how amazing it would be to actually observe nature’s magnificent beasts roaming free in the wild. Lions resting under the shade, while hippos waddle about in the mud holes and elephants standing guard out in the distance. Look! There is a pair of giraffes grazing on those trees and checkout those rhinos as they charge. Pilanesberg National Park is South Africa’s fourth largest national park comprising 212 square miles of nature at her best.
Fact:
Pilanesberg National Park is the home of Africa’s Top Five animal attractions including lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo, not to mention the zebra, hippo, giraffe and crocodile that an adventurer may be faced with on an African Safari.
One of the coolest vacations that a person could ever take is booking an African safari. Just think how amazing it would be to actually observe nature’s magnificent beasts roaming free in the wild. Lions resting under the shade, while hippos waddle about in the mud holes and elephants standing guard out in the distance. Look! There is a pair of giraffes grazing on those trees and checkout those rhinos as they charge. Pilanesberg National Park is South Africa’s fourth largest national park comprising 212 square miles of nature at her best.