The web beyond google: Innovative search tools

The web beyond google: Innovative search tools and their implications for reference services

Spencer, B., Dodd, L.B., Friedman, W.C., Xu, Q. 

UA School of Library and Information Studies, Gorgas Library, University of Alabama, Box 870266, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0266, United States

Abstract

This article explores Internet search tools that harness emerging technologies and user-centric features such as Web 2.0 sites, mobile applications, metasearching, real-time information, peer-to-peer searches, visual interfaces, and computational abilities. Reference librarians everywhere have incorporated Google into their searching repertoires, but what about other search engines that feature "bleeding edge" technologies and human-friendly designs? Our article is a concise guide to nine innovative search engines-Silobreaker, Zuula, Bing, ChaCha, CompletePlanet, DuckDuckGo, Spezify, Wolfram \Alpha, and Wowd-which give us a glimpse into the future of searching technology. We conclude our article by discussing implications for reference services. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Language of original document

English

Author keywords

Google; Search engines; Social search; Web 2.0

References (27) View in table layout

		Export   Print   E-mail   Create bibliography
		Select:  Page
1		Berger, P. Web 2.0 strategies for searching  (2007) Information Searcher, 17 (2), pp. 1+3-4.
2		Ferguson, A. Get vertical with search: Improve your patrons' web searches with vertical search engines  (2007) Texas Library Journal, 83 (3), pp. 116-118.
3		Hock, R. Search engines: From Web 0.0 to Web 20 and beyond  (2007) Online (Wilton, Connecticut), 31 (1), pp. 26-30. View at publisher
4		Maxymuk, J. Searching beyond Google  (2008) Bottom Line, 21 (3), pp. 97-100. doi: 10.1108/08880450810912862 View at publisher
5		Maxymuk, J. Six new approaches  (2009) Bottom Line, 22 (3), pp. 89-92. Cited 2 times. doi: 10.1108/08880450910999668 View at publisher
6		Werts, C.E. Comparing search engines for quick and dirty answers  (2010) Online (Wilton, Connecticut), 34 (1), pp. 32-35.
7		Zimmer, M. The externalities of search 2.0: The emerging privacy threats when the drive for the perfect search engine meets web 2.0  (2008) First Monday (Online), p. 27. 3 March
8		Bates, M.E. Silobreaker  (2008) Online (Wilton, Connecticut), 32 (5), p. 64.
9		Hane, P. (2008) Silobreaker Brings a Graphical View to News Research Message posted to http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/nbReader.asp?ArticleId=40852
10		(2010) Anphicle, Anphicle.com/DuckDuckGo Search Engine Guide & Review, accessed October 4, 2010 http://anphicle.com/2010/04/06/duck-duck-go-search-engine-guide-review/
11		Lardinois, F. (2009) DuckDuckGo: Silly Name, Interesting Search Engine Message posted to http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/duck_duck_go_silly_name_interesting_search_engine.php
12		Mims, C. Privacy-protecting search engine challenges Google  (2010) Technology Review accessed October 4, 2010 http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/mimssbits/25224/
13		Hoy, M.B. Wolfphram{pipe}Alpha: A brief introduction  (2010) Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 29 (1), pp. 67-74. doi: 10.1080/02763860903485225 View at publisher
14		Jacso, P. Péter's Digital Reference Shelf. Cited 6 times. (accessed October 4, 2010 http://www.gale.cengage.com/reference/peter/201002/index.htm
15		Bromberg, P. (2007) 10 Plus 1 Questions with Boris Simkovich, Zuula.com Message posted to http://librarygarden.blogspot.com/2007/03/10-plus-1-questions-withboris.html
16		Kendrick, T. The winning mindset: Effective competitive intelligence research on the internet  (2007) Business Information Review, 24 (4), pp. 228-235. doi: 10.1177/0266382107084890 View at publisher
17		McKiernan, G. The hidden web  (2001) Science and Technology Libraries, 20 (4), p. 65. doi: 10.1300/J122v20n04_08 View at publisher
18		Mizzy, D., Mahoney, E. Stocking the virtual ready reference collection  (2003) The Reference Librarian, 38 (79), pp. 67-99. Cited 5 times. View at publisher
19		Bradley, P. Human-powered search engines: An overview and roundup  (2008) Ariadne (Online) accessed October 4, 2010 http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue54/search-engines/
20		Iskold, A. (2006) ChaCha: A Human-powered Search Engine accessed October 4, 2010 http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/chacha_human-powered_search.php
21		McClure, M. ChaCha answers the call for mobile information  (2010) Information Today, 27 (5), p. 13.
22		McCracken, H. Wowd: A faster, more powerful way to explore facebook  (2010) PC World accessed October 4, 2010 http://www.pcworld.com/article/202910/wowd_a_faster_more_powerful_way_to_explore_facebook.html
23		Weisbein, J. (2010) Wowd: A New Approach to Search accessed October 4, 2010 http://www.besttechie.net/2010/05/28/wowd-search-engine
24		Hamilton, P. (2010) Spezify-A UDL Search Engine Message posted to http://paulhami.edublogs.org/2010/04/27/spezify-a-udl-search-engine/
25		O'Dell, J. (2009) Spezify: Visual Search Done Right Message posted to http://www.readwriteweb.com/start/2009/08/spezify-visual-search-done-rig.php
26		Beal, A. (2009) Bing.com/is it Worth Switching from Google? accessed October 4, 2010 http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/2009/05/microsoft-bing-search-engine.html
27		Remond, W. (2009) Microsoft's New Search at Bing.com Helps People Make Better Decisions accessed October 4, 2010 http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/may09/05-28NewSearchPR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases