Search Engines
General search engines
Internet
Search Tool- Quick Reference Guide
Quick Reference guide on Internet Search Tools
All the Web/FAST
One of the newer search engines. It offers links to specialized
searches such as for MP3s, FTP items, pictures, etc.
Altavista
It's big, fast, and quite popular. It also support full Boolean
logic and lets you search within results to sort documents. Like
many other search engines, it is also branching out into catalogue-like
channel areas, called "zones" for popular search subjects
like health, news, and travel.
AskJeeves
This is a unique question-answering system that allows users to
ask questions in plain English, then delivers an answer via a
set of links to relevant sites. See also Ask Jeeves For Kids:
http://www.ajkids.com/
Excite
Uses concepts rather than keywords for searching. This means it
will try to figure out what you mean, instead of just searching
on exactly what you say. Offers access to daily news summaries
as well as newsgroups.
FirstGov
Gives you a centralized place to find information from U.S. federal,
state, and local Government Agency websites. You don't have to
know what department or agency you need; FirstGov will tell you
what government agency can help you, and then link you to it.
Google
Currently indexes over 2 billion URLs and is one of the most popular
search engines. Avoids cluttering the screen with in-your-face
advertising. Its technology considers pages that are linked to
from other sites to be more important than pages that only have
a few links from other sites. An added strength is Google's inclusion
of more file formats than other search engines index—formats
such as PDF, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Hotbot
The search interface helps you to narrow down a search quite easily.
Has received high rankings for speed and accuracy in business
and professional queries in recent search engine reviews.
Lycos
A powerful search engine with the ability to limit searches by
media, which makes it useful when searching for graphics, sound
or movie files. Also has a number of topical web guides, along
with a good link to RoadMap, which generates maps based on addresses.
NorthernLight
Rated in some reviews as the "most likely to find a hit when
others can't." Enables users to search the entire WWW, along
with its Special Collection of two million articles from over
3,400 publications -- including business and trade publications,
magazines, newspapers, news wires, and academic journals. Results
are prioritized by best match and sorted into Custom Search Folders
to help users narrow their search. Users are charged for Special
Collection articles on a pay-per-document basis. (Subscription
rates are also available.) All Web documents, and premium document
summaries are free.
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Search Engines for Kids
Ask Jeeves for Kids
First searches a database of selected sites arranged as questions;
then conducts a parallel search of encyclopedias, Yahooligans
and Education World. Allows natural language queries.
Ithaki 4 KiDs
A powerful and innovative metasearch engine and searches Dmoz
Kids, Yahooligans, FactMonster, ArtKidsRule, AolKids, AppuKids,
Discovery Schools simultaneously, removes the duplicates, ranks
the results and shows them in one page. It also let you find MP3s
and images.
Kid's Search Tools
A useful specialized search engine guide for children, particularly
ages 7 through 12. Contains 17 search engines in 4 subject categories.
KidsClick!
A database of over 6400 sites for kids compiled by librarians.
Awesome Library
Indexes over 18,000 carefully reviewed resources for children.
Berit's Best Sites
A directory of safe, recommended Web sites for children up to
age 12. Each selected site has been carefully reviewed and given
a rating out of 5.
CyberSleuth Kids
Combines a subject directory and search engine geared for kids.
Discovery Kids
Indexes many articles from the Discovery website in a kid-friendly
environment.
Enchanted Learning
A subject directory for young children.
Ivy's' Search
Engines for Kids
One of the larger specialized search engine guides for children,
containing about 80 engines. It is organized by type of search
engine (e.g., general search engines, web guides, specialized
search engines, family-friendly search engines, search engine
guides). Within these categories, the engines are listed alphabetically.
LycosZone for Kids
Links to reference materials for children including a kids almanac,
encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, animal locater, and kid's online
library plus lots of categories of regular school topics.
Searchopolis
A powerful search engine designed for education and specifically
for secondary school students and their teachers. The search engine
also includes special areas of links that are updated weekly.
TekMom
A specialized search engine guide for students, from elementary
school through high school. It contains 26 well-chosen search
engines organized into 9 subject categories.
ThinkQuest Library
Indexes over 5000 student-created Web sites.
Westmark
School Specialty Search Engines
A search engine and site guide designed for elementary and high-school
age children. Over 300 sites and search engines are included,
divided into 56 subject categories geared to children’s
interests, hobbies, and school subjects.
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