If according to your report librarians are the best search engines (true, btw) why not talk about the many services and tools libraries make available (for free) 24x7x365?
We've been posting about them for years on ResourceShelf, a site that PL often cites. http://www.resourceshelf.com
For example, most libraries offer for free (365, free, 24x7, remote access, no need to go to the library) databases that are not only poweful but also focused and often offer content not available in any general web index. All you need is a library card for that library. Here's an example of what one library offers. http://www.sfpl.org/sfplonline/dbcategories.htm
More about these services here: http://www.betanews.com/article/Finding_Answers_Beyond_Web_Search/1118246650
Also, most libraries offer "virtual reference services" that allow you to go online (in one of many forms) and interact with one of these great engines. Many local libraries offer 24x7x365 access. Others, like the Library of Congress allow you to converse with a subject expert via email or in some cases chat. http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/
Another example: This one from Australia. http://www.asknow.gov.au/
cheers, gary price, mlis Librarian Director of Online Info Resources, Ask.com Editor, ResourceShelf.com |
oops, a bit quick on the submit button. When it comes to actual non-human/librarian search engines I urge all of you to look beyone G. That means look to see what Ask, Yahoo, and MSN are up to. One of the best things about my job at Ask is that I can talk freely about the good and bad from everyone. However, I would be remiss if I didn't say that just getting people to look at what Ask.com is up to is a challenge. For example, are dynamic maps, are new blog and feed engine, are new image engine, etc. Plus lots and lots of Smart Answers like: + inline images http://www.ask.com/web?q=images+san+francisco&qsrc=0&o=0 (Something Ask has been doing for three years) + answers for academy award winners (again 3 years old) http://www.ask.com/web?q=oscar+best+actor+1972&qsrc=1&o=0 + real time financial info http://www.ask.com/web?q=outstanding+shares+f&qsrc=1&o=0 + music info http://www.ask.com/web?q=rolling+stones&qsrc=1&o=0 + or the SA for the now complete World Cup http://www.ask.com/web?q=world+cup&qsrc=1&o=0
I could go on but not here.
Yahoo has done a great job with Audio Search http://audio.search.yahoo.com/
as has SearchforVideo and TVEyes
http://www.searchforvideo.com http://www.tveyes.com
and from the sound of it, Skyline Globe is going to be way cool. http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2212&trv=1
Apps? Look to Zoho Writer (sign-up, no waiting) and Zoho Sheet. http://www.zohowriter.com http://www.zohosheet.com and more: http://www.zoho.com and Kiko http://www.kiko.com
The point, a variety of tools and resources is what makes web search and web research so exciting. Plus, all of the subject focused databases out there.
cheers, gary
p.s. Don't forget the World eBook Fair is well underway. Over 300,000 full text books (in PDF form) available. All free. http://www.worldebookfair.com The fair celebrates the 35th anniv. (no, ebooks are not new) of Project Gutenberg. |