K. Hannegrefs

SLM 521

Spring 2005

 

SEARCH ENGINES

 

The following is a guide to the best search engines in the following categories: Kid Safe, Government, General, Shopping and Medical.

 

 

Kid Safe Search Engines

 

Yahooligans! -- http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/

This search engine is the kid’s version of Yahoo!  It provides kids a safe way to search many different subjects.  There is also a great reference section.  A parents and teachers guide is included.

 

Ask Jeeves Kids -- http://www.ajkids.com/

Why does….? How does?  Where is?  Questions!  A good site to send kids to find out the answers to almost all their questions.  It can even work for high school “kids.”  There is also links to games, news resources, and study tips!

 

 

Government Search Engines

 

First Gov -- http://www.firstgov.gov/

This search engine provides access to Federal, State, Local, and Tribal government pages.  One could find whatever you need or want on this site.  You could find information, services, and resources.  Great for Government teachers!

 

Google Government Search -- http://www.google.com/unclesam 

Quick and easy search engine; provides links to all aspects of government from local governments to executive branch departments.

 

 

 

 

General Search Engines

 

Google -- http://www.google.com/ 

This search engine is essentially all inclusive.  An individual can search for a variety of information, news, audio, and images.  It is easy to quick and easy to use.  With its many services; Google is one of the best search engines available.  You can access local and world information. 

 

Altavista –http://www.altavista.com/

This site provides a complete directory for searchers to narrow the search.  An individual has access to a variety of information from the web, audio/MP3, images, video, and the general directory.  One feature that stood out was the news tab.  The oldest news headline was 20 hours old; the newest was four minutes with a majority of the articles coming from the New York Times.  A searcher could also specify whether to search worldwide or just in the United States.

 

 

Shopping Search Engines

 

MSN Shopping -- http://shopping.msn.com/ 

This search engine is offered through MSN.  It provides the shopper with a Buyer’s Guide with tips and tools and editor suggestions.  A favorite is the number of choices a shopper has available … so many departments.  It goes beyond the price comparisons.  It will feature a particular site on a given day (the site changes).  There are even special offers from the stores featured on MSN Shopping.

 

MySimon -- http://www.mysimon.com/

You remember the commercials for MySimon, right?  This comparison shopping search engine does the trick.  A shopper can access every possible department, specific merchants, and ask for shopping advice.  MySimon also has a top 25 list for numerous products.  It is very easy to use.

 

 

Medical Search Engines

 

Medline Plus – http://medlineplus.gov/

This search engine is a service from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.  This provides up-to-date medical information.  Searchers are able to access information in over 650 health topics, drug information, and medical encyclopedia.  One can even access to lists of hospitals and physicians.  This is a good place to find current medical issues.  There is even tutorial to explain conditions and procedures.

 

WebMD -- http://www.webmd.com/

This is a search engine that is very commonly used to discover what ails you.  This search engine provides its viewer with access to newly-diagnosed, message boards, a symptoms searcher, and current medical news.  It is a quick and easy way to find what you may be suffering from.