In the neverending quest for more efficiency, faster, we sometimes look down on tools that passed the test of time. I think the search box is such a tool.
META tags, sitemaps, categories, tags… It all boils down to an easy way to access the data. But who knows better what you are looking for, other than yourself? Why not use the search box, present in almost all websites? The answer is simple: lazyness. Better type than write, click than type, listen than read… Technology has its advantages, but we must be careful not to dumb ourselves down with it.
Personally, I have the reflex to always use the search box on some sites, but often overlook them on others, such as blogs and other personal pages. Still, when I remember the box and hit search, I am sometimes surprised by the amount of information gathered this way. In fact, I find myself using my own search box more and more, to quickly locate an entry. You should try it yourself, the results can be insightful insomuch that they may hint a pattern. Mathematics is everywhere…