I noticed three things when I tried out the 2001 search engine:
1) That logo isn't the one they were using in 2001. My brand loyalty to Google is not to be reckoned with. Google OS confirmed that it was not the right logo (they were using the one from 1999 with the exclamation point). On Search Engine Land, you'll see a screen cap of the real Google in action in 2001--with the more familiar logo in place.
2) The search results really aren't structured like the results were in 2001. They emphasized the directory piece of Google. (Take a look at that screenshot on Search Engine Land again and you'll se what I mean.) In 2001, we were moving further toward viewing the web as search driven, rather than as a menu or pathfinder focused environment. But we weren't entirely there yet.
3) The search results, however, were the ones from 2001. i know this because there are certain searches that I have done so many times that I actually recognize the constellation of search results from specific time periods, like 2001. There. If you ever needed total confirmation that I am a complete and utter nerd, you now have it. It's also funny to Google yourself and see how little was there at that point. It made me tired just looking at it. Thank god none of us have to redo our work from the last seven years.
How much have things really changed on the Web since 2001? Try searching YouTube in the 2001 index and you'll get a quick idea.
great to see..