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Search Engines Redux
Okay, I'm back. I've moved
and the Internet connection is up and mostly functioning.
Whew! So what do I have for you this month? Some new search
engines to check out.
Let's start with NORTHERNLIGHT.COM,
a nifty search engine that includes the usual web search,
but then offers you what it finds in two ways. One, the standard
list. Two, organized into what they call Custom Folders. The
Custom Folders are automatically generated with each search,
grouping the sites/pages into folders so you can more easily
zero in on what you want. Cool.
In addition they are beta
testing (that's the last round of testing before a software
company says the product is ready to be used by the general
public) an Alerts feature. With Alerts you first have to register
(it's free, and they say they won't sell your info). Next,
you enter a name for your Alert, set up your search criteria,
then save it. According to their information you will get
an email containing a list of what they found. After that
you get updates as NORTHERNLIGHT.COM finds new sites that
meet your criteria. Now, I've only just signed up for this
but it sounds like they do the surfing for you. To me that
translates into saved time and money.
One caveat, no two. First,
there are some documents you have to pay for if you want to
download them. Second, this is a beta version. Expect a few
glitches, though I haven't found any yet.
Another search engine I recently
heard about is SEARCHEDU.COM. First, the home page
has the expected search field for you to enter your info.
But wait, look at the bottom of the page. There are links
to: A Web of Online Dictionaries, Librarians' Index to the
Internet, CIA World Factbook, Census, Library of Congress,
Library of Congress Online Catalog. Plus, you get links to:
Calculators and Converters, Index of Calculators, Constants
and Equations, Currency Converter, Measurement Converter,
Current Time. Yes, for just $19.99, you get all this plus
three Ginzu knives...oops, I'm getting carried away. It's
free after all.
So back to the search capabilities.
SEARCHEDU.COM specializes in educational institution sites.
Search results include research papers, bibliographies, syllabi
for college courses, handouts from said courses, library holdings,
etc. etc. etc. The list of sites/pages will likely be extensive
and will require some slogging through, but this is a gold
mine of information.
Next month: E-mail Loops,
or How to Spend Even More Time On-Line. Happy surfing!
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