Rapidshare is a goldmine if you know how to search it properly. There are basically two ways to do that. First, you can use Google search parameters to search Rapidshare. Several websites offer a basic search interface that does nothing more than to add the parameters to your searches and display the Google search results. Then there is a different kind of website that has its own database and performs searches using it.
The second kind of site tends to be more up to date because they use several sources for finding new Rapidshare files including user submitted ones. I do not like the first kind of sites to search Rapidshare that much because I can enter those parameters by myself into a search engine like Google and get the desired results.
To be able to compare the Rapidshare search engines I have performed searches for the terms "video", "avi" and "windows". Finding files is one thing but finding working files and keeping the database up to date with deleted files is another. This has also been born in mind.
I did check three results for each search term, namely the first, fifth and tenth entry to see if the links were not broken.
A basic search engine and site that does nothing more than to offer a search form and a results page.
Video: More than 5000 results. Gave no exact number unfortunately. All three results that I tested were valid and could be downloaded.
Avi: This search revealed more than 5000 results as well. All three results worked fine.
Windows: The search revealed 2096 results, the test downloads were working.
Rapidlibrary is not only offering the search to find files on Rapidshare but also a tagging system. All files are tagged and the last 200 searches are shown on the main website. Each search result displays tags as well which means that you can explore additional files this way as well.
Video: 5576 results were found for the search term Video and all three test downloads were working.
Avi: 70735 results were found for Avi. All tests were successful.
Windows: 2520 results were found. The 5th file was not found during the test.
Offers Web and Database search for files hosted on Rapidshare. Offers additional functions that increase the value of this service. Has a Rapidshare link checker for instance and offers keyword email updates.
Video: 1471 links were found in their database for the term video. Passed all three test downloads.
Avi: Not found in their database.
Windows: 2100 links found for the term Windows. All three downloads were working fine.
A basic search engine that seems somewhat slow at this time. You can limit the file size of the files that are displayed in the search results. Users can report broken links.
Video: 500+ results found. All three tests were working.
Avi: 500+ results found. All three tests successful.
Windows: 500+ results found. All three tests successful.
Is not displaying the amount of search results. Search is tag driven and the file size is shown for each file. Is listing dead files as well, wonder what that is good for. Great Speed.
Video: Does not list the amount of results. Test were fine.
Avi: Does not list the amount of results. Test were fine.
Windows: Does not list the amount of results. Test were fine.