Information systems manager Alistair Carruthers has created a privately owned Web search engine, Jonga to offer an alternative search tool for local Web users and to compete against other local search facilities.
The search engine took two years to develop. The word Jonga is an isiXhosa word, which means to "look".
The search engine is ideal for Web users dissatisfied with the quality of information available in SA, says Carruthers.
"It will also provide South African Web users with access to several entirely new concepts in search features. A key feature of the engine is the featured content panel, which displays content applicable to specific searches," says Carruthers.
Jonga will feature about 22 million Web pages from 85 000 sites.
The targeted results will enable users to run specific searches, for example "tonight on MNet", or "Sunday night on MNet at 8pm," Carruthers explains.
"Jonga enables users to find relevant information without the need to sift through endless unrelated results and without the need to navigate several additional sites."
Other features include a search history bar, organised and targeted results, a dictionary lookup, calculator, currency converter and a browser toolbar, which supports both Internet Explorer and Firefox.
"Jonga is a hybrid development using the best of open source and commercial tools," says Carruthers.
"With all the hype surrounding open source versus commercial development tools, in terms of cost and functionality, it has been an interesting and exciting exercise to develop a successful product which combines the best of both worlds. Jonga`s launch is really only the first step in a series of exciting things to come.
"I have enjoyed being at the forefront of a project that showcases the best of SA`s home-grown offerings, and places local products and services firmly in the South African spotlight."
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