Thursday, February 5, 2015

Project #15 Search Engines

The internet is an endless array of search engines. There are different types of them to help with basically anything you need or want to know. From finding a job to what hotel you will stay in for your family vacation, don't worry, there is a search engine for you!
http://successcomgroup.com/search-engine-optimization/


Bing: Similar to the Google search engine, Bing is an all-purpose search engine. You start by typing in a question or word/phrase. When you hit the search button it gives you a list of websites where the information you are seeking can be found. You have the option to view webpages, images, maps, news and more. On Bing's homepage you have links to access, MSN, Outlook.com, and Office Online. I like that Bing has a photo in the background on the homepage. This makes it more appealing to look at. Also, if you slide your mouse over the picture, little boxes pop up with information about the picture.

Wolfram Alpha: I had never heard of this search engine before but I am thoroughly impressed by it. Not only does it give you a basic answer/definition for what you are searching for, it also shows you formulas and calculations. You can input data and images and it has the ability to create a rotatable 3D animation. This could be extremely useful for math and engineering fields.

ChaCha: ChaCha is a search engine that uses what is called "social searching". This site pays people (guides) to answer your questions. You can create an account and ask questions through their app, website, or text message. The answers that you receive are free and are given to you in real time. When you ask/send a question on ChaCha, there are 60,000+ smart guides waiting to answer it. This search engine seems like a fun, sociable way to get information. This would be helpful for when you don't have internet access but are able to send a text message when in need of information.

Craigslist: This search engine is a perfect way to buy/sell items, find a job and/or discuss different topics with others in your area. This site is basically a free online add column for anyone to post to. It is set up in a way that is user friendly. On the main page, it breaks it down into many different categories. You can click on a specific category or subcategory to browse that section. To find what city/county you would like to search in just choose one from the list that is provided on the main page. I personally use this site from time to time. I have used it to find items for sell such as furniture and appliances. I have also used it to find real estate in Mobile County.

Indeed: Finding a job is made easier with Indeed. This search engine does the hard work for you by searching newspapers, job boards, etc., for any jobs that are available in your area. The main page has two search bars, one to enter a keyword specific to the job you want and the other one to enter the area (city, state) that you want to search in. Once you enter the information for what and where, it gives you a list of links to jobs in the area specified. This would be a great option for someone in need of a job, especially if they will be moving and need to find something in a different location.

MapQuest: MapQuest is a search engine used to get you from place to place and to look at activities and attractions in whatever location you would like to look up. Not only will it show you a map view, it will also give you step by step directions to and from the location you are traveling. You can even look up gas prices in your current area or the city you are traveling to. In my opinion, this search engine isn't needed as much any more due to everyone having navigation either on their phone or in their vehicle. It is still a cool way to look at where certain places are located.

WebMD: If you have an ailment or you just simply want to know something about health, this search engine can more than likely provide you with what you are looking for. You can search for symptoms of various illnesses, get information on medications and vitamins/supplements, and browse news articles on health related topics. This site also allows you to chat with others in a forum specifically for what you are researching. WebMD could be good for anyone who wanted to get more information on signs, symptoms, and treatments.

Kayak: Kayak is a travel website that searches hundreds of other travel sites for you to get the best rate for hotels, flights, and rental cars. It allows you to make reservations and purchase tickets on one site. I think that this website is great because it simplifies the searching process but it can still get overwhelming. It opens a new window for each website that you want it to check for comparable rates. That may not bother some people but it drives me crazy to have so many tabs open. Overall I believe this search engine could be extremely beneficial to someone who travels often and needs the best possible rate.



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