Project #15: Search Engines

Wolfram Alpha -
     Wolfram Alpha is a search engine for those that need help in the math department. It can search subjects as broad a subject as you wish or you can narrow it down to a specific formula or problem. When you get it down that far it will show you a break down of the problem as well as graphs and alternate forms.
     This search engine is best used for self tutoring in any math as well as checking homework (not cheating).
     Evaluation- Wolfram Alpha works pretty seamlessly and has personally helped me pass Calculus. I think that the fact that is shows you the answer but doesn't show you the steps helps to discourage cheating as well.

iSEEK -
     iSEEK is a search engine that brings you academic web results and allows you to filter them based on grade level, subject, people, places, etc. It also has a rating system that allows you to find quality articles without reading them all yourself.
     This search engine can best be used for any search that needs factual information. It is ideal for papers.
     Evaluation- iSEEK is easy to use and provides specific factual information. I can see it being a useful discovery.

Bing -
   Bing is a typical meta-search engine. You can search any keyword and have Bing go through the vast internet looking for sites, images, videos, and ads that have the same keywords or subjects.
     Just like Google, Bing is a fast port to information on any subject if you are willing to look through the first couple sites to find what you want.
     Evaluation- Bing is a solid search engine. However, I can see how it stays behind Google in popularity. Bing is more awkward to use on a traditional computer, although on the mobile version I find Bing to be much more helpful.

Blinkx -
    Blinkx is a search engine purely for video content. You can simply put what you are searching for into the search bar and sort through a string of video from sites like YouTube and DailyView.
     This can be a portal for finding video content on anything that you could hope to research or wish to watch for entertainment.
Evaluation- The navigation of this site is great in a minimalist way. It is just a string of video one after the other, no nonsense. The great thing about this site is that unlike Google or Bing it doesn't give you a link to a video but rather the video is played right there within Blinkx. In addition it brings you videos from all the big sites and smaller ones. So, unlike YouTube you are not limited to what is uploaded to their site.
   
Radio Locator-
   Radio Locator is a site where you can find any information you wish to know about any radio station. You can search by the radio stations letter name, or by its station number, or even the area that it services.
    This site could be used to find a radio station as you travel that will play the type of music you like, or allow you to find a site to listen to your favorite station from back home.
     Evaluation- For what it is it is a very effective search engine. The only problem I can see is that it only applies to a specific crowd or circumstance.
  
Retrievr-
     Retrievr allows you to search for images from Flickr that match images you either sketch or upload to their sight.
     This can be used to find a more specific image than can be described by words in a traditional search engine. If you have an image that you need similar copies of or even just an idea for one you can find one from Flickr.
     Evaluation- The fact that you can look up images using images can come in very handy. This way you don't have to look through things that don't apply to you. The problem is that it only gets them from Flickr.

Archives.gov  -
    Archives.gov allows you to search for a digital copy of documents found in vast and respected libraries such as the national archives and the presidents library.
    This can be used as a way to find very reliable and strong references for papers and research.
     Evaluation- This is a great site for finding great reference documents. You can also choose what library to look trough. The problem is that some of the sites it links you to are not completely free.

Refseek -
     Refseek gives your reliable .gov and .org websites as search results kind of like Google Scholar. This can be another good way to find good research references.
     Evaluation- This is a great site for research and is comparable to Google Scholar.