RWW Editor's Note: This is the latest installment of The Top 100, a popular monthly feature from our AltSearchEngines blog. The list includes the best People search engines, Job, Health, Media, Local, Social, Semantic, Image, and many more 'verticals'. ASE editor Charles Knight explains below how he compiles the monthly list. He also selected a 'Search Engine of the Month'. So check out the list and write-up below to get a sense of the hottest new products in search. [end of Ed note]
The Top 10 FAQ about the Top 100 List:
1. Why 100? Note: The entire list is available at the end of this post.
The silly reason is because it is next in line after the 1 Search Engine of the Year (SEY), which is selected from amongst the 10 total Search Engines of the Month (see Dec 2007), but less than the 1,000 that we launched with last June.
The serious reason is that it takes a good 100 in order to show you the diversity of search engines out there - just look at the descriptions of the attached file(s). The best People search engines, Job, Health, Media, Local, Social, Semantic, Image, etc., etc. The alternative search engines are nothing if not diverse. But still, at 10 minutes each, it would take you more than 16 hours to check them all out! (I only know of one person who regularly does that - do you?)
2. How are the Top 100 selected?
For the AltSearchEngines list, this is how: I start with the Top 100 from February and add every search engine that was displayed on AltSearchEngines during the month. In February, there were 49 new search engines shown, so I start with 149. Can you imagine knocking down 149 good choices to 100? It’s not easy! But to answer the question, I delete search engines until I am down to 100 again, and that’s how the best search engines get integrated into the March list.
3. What about the Search Engine of the Month (SEM)?
Same principle - I look back on February’s news stories to see which search engine had the most significant development - in my humble opinion. Last month’s SEM was ChaCha.
4. What if I don’t like your choices?
First, leave a comment - as an individual. Second, be prepared. We will soon be launching our newest feature, a Top 100 list where you the reader will get to vote for your favorite engines. Then we’ll compare my choices to yours (as a group).
5. How do I find old versions of the List?
Most are under the Top 100 tab at the top of this page (June 2007 - February 2008), and the very old ones are in the ReadWriteWeb archives (Jan-May 2007), but of course older lists tend to be very outdated.
6. What if I want you to look at another alternative search engine this month?
Email it to me at at: Charles@ReadWriteWeb.com, or leave a comment if you want others to see it.
7. What if I have a question about the Top 100 not mentioned here?
Join the AltSearchEngines Forum and, once inside, click on the “Ask Charles” tab.
8. Who is not on the Top 100 list? (or, Why don’t I see my favorite search engine?)
Good question! My guesstimate is that 1,300 search engines are not shown. We have no list of those for you, so we plan to start a Master database where together we can create a directory of all alternative search engines.
9. I don’t want to talk to you. How can I talk to other readers?
Great! Join the AltSearchEngines Forum and interact with the other ASE readers.
10. Who is the Search Engine of the Month for March?
It’s
In February, EveryZing launched two very exciting uses for their technology. Not just new tweaks or basic features, but major new applications / products: ezSearch and ezSEO. Rather than just write the information all over again, please go to the posts that that covered it all here for ezSEO and here for ezSearch.
Get the entire Top 100 list here as .xls The Top 100 Alternative Search Engines, March 2008
and here as .pdf The Top 100 Alternative Search Engines, March 2008
Comments
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Ooof.... and the credibility of this blog just dropped about 90 points for me ... :(
first off, there aren't even 10 "real" search engines (monthly) let alone 100!!! This is contrived BS... please spare us this crap... isn't this what Mashable is for (and the reason i ignore that blog)?? It's sad that the search sector is over-saturated with useless garbage but just because there are 100 of something doesn't mean we need them listed out... this list is garbage, as is the concept of a "search engine of the month" ...
second off, ChaCha?? please... chacha takes it's results DIRECTLY from yahoo. (ads and all... they are not alternative in any way... having ChaCha, not only on the 100 but as an actual SE of the Month just reeks of lack of research and piss poor realization of usefulness?
Was this too harsh? If so i'm sorry... but just because you're getting popular doesn't mean you have to litter the blog with this waste of time just to have content.... do things differently than those that came before you, right? I'm sure that was your goal at some point, to be different, to promote quality... ugh... you readers deserve an apology for this nonsense. ;)
Posted by: Matt | March 4, 2008 6:41 PMSorry we've disappointed you Matt, but I think you're being overly harsh. If you scan through the Top 100 list you'll find a lot of worthy search technologies. Semantic search, visualization, social search, etc - these are all moving the search industry forward.
Having said that, I'm personally not a great fan of ChaCha or the concept of 'human guides' in general. It just doesn't scale. Mahalo is similar, but I think of that as more like Wikipedia than search.
Posted by: Richard MacManusI like the list, keep the good work!
Posted by: kaz | March 4, 2008 10:03 PMManagedQ.com by Ask.com was nicely done by them.
Not a very new idea, but they executed it the best so far.
Posted by: John Doe | March 4, 2008 10:11 PMHmmm, what should I defend first?
The legitimacy of The Top 100 concept, the individual choices, or ChaCha?
In the past 12 months the number of people who have praised the utility of my list (see the other comments) has far, far out numbered its detractors. So I'll plead the 'wisdom of the crowds' here.
The individual choices are mine alone, but as Richard states, they are a wonderful variety of different approaches to Search. By no means is their index or lack of a unique one an issue. Visualization of results, for example, may be their sole contribution.
Also, everyone will soon get the chance to vote, so we will soon find out if I'm way off base.
Lastly, poor ChaCha. If I am ChaCha's sole supporter, that's fine with me. Name one other search engine that will answer your query in these four ways:
1) Traditional search box
2) Chat live with a human guide
3) Leave a voice mail and get a human's response
4) Text a query, and get a human's response
Google's expert answers failed at that, but ChaCha gets no credit for succeeding? Foul! And can it scale? It has so far, so why don't we agree to remain neutral until you ask ChaCha a question and get no answer because they didn't scale?
Posted by: Charles Knight | March 5, 2008 6:46 AMI stand corrected... (and ownd).
I still don't see ChaCha as an Alt because of the Yahoo thing and the way they pay (or sued to) their guides encourages them to make you wait longer... flawed model... and the whole deal with Indiana subsidies... (none of my business, i guess, it;s not my state..)
I just let top 100 after top 100 pile up with nothing and then get all pissy when one of my fave blogs drops one on me.... hehehe... so sorry for the harshness, it was out of love and desperation...
I hope you can accept my apologies and just know that i was kind trying to play devils advocate because I know how "trendy" top 100 lists get and the ranting and raving is enough to drive us a little cooky every now and then... hehehe.... I've counted to 10, breathed.. etc etc.. .i was naughty and i'm sorry. :( but i still don't buy the chacha action. ;)
Posted by: Matt | March 6, 2008 3:00 PMthere are a lot of long tail business models, including within search. for example, within the health care space (a specific vertical / niche), here's an interview with a health researcher talking about people with health problems searching for content:
http://health.scribemedia.org/2008/03/07/trends-in-online-health/
Posted by: garry | March 8, 2008 5:01 PMCHAPTER 3
Needs of computer in libraries
1 Needs of computer in libraries
1.1 Information explosion
1.2 Routine work
1.3 Economic feasibility
1.4 Increase in Users
1.5 Speed
2 History of Computer in Libraries
2.1 Computer Application in Libraries
2.2 Administration and Maintenance
2.3 Acquisition
2.4 Serial Control
2.4.1 Serial Control covers following work
2.5 Physical Verification
2.6 Circulation control
2.7 Document file
2.8 Reader file
2.9 processing
2.10 Cataloguing
3 COMPUTER BASED INFORMATION SERVICES
3.1 Current Awareness Services (CAS)
3.2 Selective Dissemination of Information Service (SDI)
3.3 Indexing Services
4 COMPUTER NETWORK
4.1 INTERNET
4.2Origin of Internet
4.3 How Internet functions
4.4 E-mail
Chapter3
Needs of computer in libraries
1 Needs of computer in libraries
Needs of computer in libraries was felt with a view to perform various activities speedily, viz., acquisition, control of periodicals and journals, cataloguing, circulation control, preparation of statistics, etc. Need of the computer in libraries was felt due to the following reasons:
1.1 Information explosion
Information explosion resulted in the storage problem for the librarians, and information scientists. To solve this problem, need of computer in libraries was felt.
1.2 Routine work
The libraries started using computers for the routine works like, filing sorting, typing, and for getting rid of strenuous work of reproduction works etc.
1.3 Economic feasibility
The process of printing and distribution of information became costly, and consequently, it raised the volume of expenditure involved in the various activities of libraries. To bring the information distribution cost of the libraries, computers were introduced in the libraries.
1.4 Increase in Users
Explosion of information has increased the number of library users also, after the Second World War, the research and developments increased in numbers. To cope up with the growing demand of information, computers were installed to provide services like CAS and SDI.
1.5 Speed
Computer were introduced in libraries for speedy accomplishment of various activities of libraries.
2 History of Computer in Libraries
Use of the computers in libraries started in the twentieth century. Computer was introduced in many libraries of America and Britain in 1960. But it was limited to universities and libraries only. In the year of 1961, A. P. Luhan developed programmes for the production of key word index for the papers published in the journal, Chemical Abstract.
Communication network came into being in the year, 1970 Earlier, the use of computer was limited, but the introduction of communication network gave a new direction to the use of computer in libraries. Setting up of OCLC (Online Computer Library Centre) is an example of this. Co-operation in the field of library resources witnessed a growth during this decade. Availability of the micro computer system attracted the attention of libraries to own like a ‘Wisdom Terminal’ for maintaining database, mechanical control, and storage facilities in the distant places. It revolutionized the control of computers in libraries. At present majority of libraries use computer, and most of the libraries have developed their own software.
2.1 Computer Application in Libraries
Application of computers in libraries can be divided in two parts:
• Use of computer in library Administration (House-Keeping)
• Computer Based information services.
2.2Use of computer in libraries administration (House-Keeping)
All the function performed in the absence of user, come under this purview. It facilitates fast and efficient library services. The following works come under its purviews:
• Administration and Maintenance.
• Acquisition.
• Serial control.
• Physical Verification.
• Circulation Control.
• Technical Processing.
2.2.1 Administration and Maintenance
All the administrative works of libraries could be performed effectively and speedily with help of computer, consequently, efficiency of the services provided by libraries also increase. Statistics of all the administrative works should be prepared with the help of computer. The following administrative works in libraries are accomplished with the help of computer.
• Preparation of minutes of meetings.
• Preparation of copies of libraries rules.
• Details of leave entitlement of library workers.
• Preparation of a file of the library administrative orders.
With the help of computers, thus, most of the administrative functions can be performed efficiently in minimum time.
2.2.2 Acquisition
Acquisition refers to the stocking of libraries. Book selection, Book order, and Acquisition could be combined in it. Acquisition could be an easy process with the help of computer.
System of acquisition involves receipt of demand items, ensuring that these are not repeated, placing order with the book-seller, updating the account books, registration, and keeping the statistics updated.
• Acquisition process includes maintaining standard.
• Search of bibliographic details to maintain standard.
• Placement of repeat orders.
• Search of Book-seller’s file to facilitate online placement of orders.
• Choosing books with help of foreign database.
Following points should be borne in mind for the purpose of acquisition by any automated library.
• Collection of suggestions by the users and employees.
• Preparation of list books for ratification by the library committee.
• Placement of order for the selected books.
• Statistics of books and accounts
• Keeping watch on supply of books by the supplier, discount allowed, and action for delay in the supply, etc.
Following files are necessary for proper performance of the acquisition task:
Holding file: This file contains catalogues of document.
• Order file : This file contains order number, bibliographic description,
Main Index, budgets, and other relevant information.
• Supplier file : This file contains the bibliographic description of the books
Which are in demand by users.
• Fund file : This file contains the details of funds available for each subject,
or department.
• Currency file : This file contains full description of books, and their
registration number, etc.
By maintaining the above mentioned files, the task of acquisition by the libraries could be performed fast and efficiently.
2.2.3 Serial Control
The task of selection of periodicals and journals, Acquisition, their bibliographic description, availability of volumes of document and its knowledge, etc. is tedious job.
Periodicals refer to the publications which are published periodically and which are deemed to prolong in future. Such publication include
• Journals
• Newspapers
• Annual Reports
• Progress Series.
• Proceedings of Learned Body.
2.2.3.1 Serial Control covers following work
• Order for new journals.
• Details of new journals to be demanded, due dates for renewal of subscription.
• To ensure proper registration of the journals received.
• Reminder to the supplier in respect of the journals not received in due time.
• Preparation of list of the lost volumes.
• List of the journals to be discontinued
• Keeping account of the payments made.
• Preparation of volume slips for the journals.
• Placement of order for the lost journals
• Keep the list of journals updated.
To accomplish the above tasks with the help of computer the following files are required to be maintained.
• Master file: Bibliographic description of the periodicals is entered in this file.
• Order file: This file contains details of orders placed for periodicals.
• Fund file: Utilization details of fund available are entered in this file.
• Master Holding file : Accounting of the old volumes of periodicals is entered
in the file.
• Supplier file: This contains details of agents and publisher etc.
• Receipt file: This file contains details of the current volumes of periodicals.
• Exchange file : Details of the journals acquired in exchange are entered in the
File.
• Indexing file: This file contains approach elements for easy search of the journals, etc.
Maintenance of these file exercising control over the periodicals and journals becomes easy. Under this process, the title of the periodical, publisher’s name, and its complete bibliographic is fed to the input device of the computer. By doing this details of the periodicals demanded, received, not received and lost books etc. are known. Reminders are sent for the periodicals not received. This process simplifies the procedure to exercise control over the periodicals.
2.2.4 Physical Verification
In the present times, physical verification is not considered important because, according to the modern view of the libraries, the books are meant for use. Based on this theory, the readers go to libraries and obtain the required literature for their use. It could result in misuse by the readers, and possibility of loss of books also becomes more. Library is a growing organization, therefore, physical verification becomes difficult for large libraries, and however, this task is still carried out by the libraries to know the actual position of its stock. For physical verification with the help of computer, all the books, from beginning to end, are serially entered through the input device, thereafter, list of the available books in stock is prepared. Other books kept in the technical Division, sent for binding, books on circulation, and books issued to the readers are also entered in the list as per their serial numbers. This information is, then, entered in the computer. These two files are, then, compared by tallying the serial numbers. A list of untallied books is prepared. This way physical verification with the help of computer is carried out accurately and in short time.
2.2.5 Circulation control
Circulation is an important aspect of libraries. It includes sinding reminder for the return of books on due date, etc. Circulation task could be performed speedily and effectively with the help of computer. The circulation department has to perform the following tasks.
• Compiling information on circulation of books.
• Renewal of circulation period after due date.
• Calculation of the amount on circulation as per the rules, and issue of
receipt got the fine levied and charged.
10 Preparation of statistics on the circulation of books.
The task of circulation with the help of computer requires the creation of the following files:
11 Description of material for circulation file:
This file contains complete description of the material utilized for circulation.
2.2.6Document file
This file contains information on the document, viz., Author of document heading of document, Edition, Volume of document, Class number of document, Publication year document, Name of publisher, Place, and its identification number etc.
2.2.7 Reader file
This file details in respect of reader, viz., Identification, Name of Reader Address of Reader, and his registration Number, etc. With the help of these three files, the task of circulation becomes fast and easy. For this purpose each reader is issued with a Bar Code Card, which contains complete information about the reader. At the time of the issue of document, this Card is entered in the computer through the input device to ascertain the details of the documents already issued to the reader. If the reader has the maximum number of document as per his authorization, the new document is not issued. Simultaneously, This information is transferred to the main circulation file, which already has the details of circulation. The moment a document is receive back, the period of its retention is ascertained accordingly the fine is levied. The task of circulation, thus, is accomplished efficiently with the help of computer, which avoids the possibility of any error also.
2.2.8 Technical processing
It includes classification, cataloguing, etc. This can be explained as under
2.2.9 Cataloguing
Catalogue is a medium for the retrieval of information. It helps to search the information in the storage of computer. Charles Ami Katar has given the following aims for cataloguing:
1 To help a reader make available a document, whose author is known.
2 To know how many books by an author are available in stock.
3 To help find out the books of your choice.
Computer was first used for cataloguing by the library of congress using MARC(Machine Readable Cataloguing) system. Likewise the Ohio College Library Centre (OCLC) also started online cataloguing. The use of computer for cataloguing made it simple.
Cataloguing with computer can be performed efficiently by creating the following files:
• Master file: This file is created by making necessary changes in the Acquisition file.
• Index file: Information in this file is entered based on the items viz,, Author, Heading, and Subject etc.
• Authority file: This file contains information related to the publisher, Institution, Language etc.
Use of computer for cataloguing, saves time and lab our, otherwise the time taken for manual cataloguing keeps the readers bereft of the reading material. Fast cataloguing is possible with the help of computer.
Posted by: rajesh kumar pandey | March 14, 2008 12:25 AM3. Computer Based information Services
Making prompt availability of valuable information to the readers is the function of information services in the modern age of information explosion. Need of information is multi-oriented. It is needed in the fields of decoration and research. Students need it for clearing their examinations, and the teachers need it for imparting knowledge to the students. Information services are provided by the libraries as per the requirement. Computer Based information services are made use of by the users of libraries.
Following services fall under the purview of computer Based information services:
Current Awareness Services (CAS)
Selective Dissemination of Information Service(SDI)
Indexing.
Computer Network.
3.1 Current Awareness Services (CAS)
CAS is an important element of information dissemination, which is provided by the libraries to keep the reader updated on the new developments, inventions, and other information literature. CAS includes the bibliographic information like, Writer/Author, Heading, Volume, Page, etc. The Entry to the service includes the subject matter, and if possible, the substance of contents, etc. This service includes the subject matter, and if possible, the substance of the contents, etc. This service can e explained with the help of the sketch given below:
Data Processing Information
CAS is a general device, which a available for use by anybody. This service is provided in many ways;
a. Title Announcement
b. List of Addition
c. Content list of Announcement and Circulation
d. List of Articles.
e. Indexing and Abstracting Services.
f. Digest Services.
3.2 Selective Dissemination of Information Service (SDI)
Introduction of computer in 1950 prompted the use of SDI by the CAS computer was used for SDI by H. P. Luhan in 1961.
“Selective Dissemination of Information service provided by any organization comprises the collection of the units of latest information from the available sources, and dissemination of the same to the same to the places where the possibility of its use fullness is considered more.”
The method devised by Luhan, has the following characteristics:
g. Matching of reader profile with the new books on new information.
h. Matching of new books on information with the reader profile.
i. Making available useful information to the organization.
j. Amendments and corrections are carried out by re-entry.
Two files have been devised for providing the SDI as under.
• User File
• Document file.
SDI services are provided to the readers by matching these two files amendments, when and where necessary, are also carried out in the files to provide efficient services.
3.3 Indexing Services
Indexing is a simple and very easy process with the help of computer. Computer has to be given commands to perform this task. This file is created by entering the description of writer/ Author, Heading /Title, Publisher etc, Indexing also took physical shape with the help of computer, viz., Typesetting On-Line printer paper, etc. On-Line printer paper for indexing was first used in 1961 by H. P. Luhan.
4 Computer Network
Modern age is the age of computer, science, and Information. At present the libraries have become information centers. No library in the world can today claim to have complete reading material available with them. Earlier, this task was performed through library co-operation. Today, this work is done using computer network. Computer network enjoins many libraries in the library network, making possible to obtain the required information from any such terminal, sitting at one place. Such library networks are active at national as well as international level today.
4.1 INTERNET
The Internet is a network of networks. Millions of computers all over the world are connected through the Internet. Computer users on the Internet can contact one another anywhere in the world. If your computer is connected to the Internet, you can connect to millions of computers. You can gather information and distribute your data. It is very much similar to the telephone connection where you can talk with any person anywhere in the world.
In Internet a huge resource of information is accessible to people across the world. Information in every field starting from education, science, health, medicine, history, and geography to business, news, etc. can be retrieved through Internet. You can also download programs and software packages from anywhere in the world. Due to the tremendous information resources the Internet can provide, it is now indispensable to every organisation.
4.2Origin of Internet
In 1969 Department of Defence (DOD) of USA started a network called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Administration Network) with one computer at California and three at Utah. Later on other universities and R & D institutions were allowed to connect to the Network. APARNET quickly grew to encompass the entire American continent and became a huge success. Every university in the country wanted to become a part of ARPANET. So the network was broken into two smaller parts MILNET for managing military sites and ARPANET (smaller) for managing non-military sites. Around 1980, NSFNET (National Science Foundation Network) was created. With the advancement of modern communication facilities, other computers were also allowed to be linked up with any computer of NSFNET. By 1990 many computers were looking up to NSFNET giving birth to Internet.
4.3 How Internet functions
Internet is not a governmental organisation. The ultimate authority of the Internet is the Internet Society. This is a voluntary membership organisation whose purpose is to promote global information exchange. Internet has more than one million computers attached to it.
4.4 E-mail
E-mail stands for electronic mail. This is one of the most widely used features of Internet. Mails are regularly used today where with the help of postage stamp we can transfer mails anywhere in the world. With electronic mail the service is similar. But here data are transmitted through Internet and therefore within minutes the message reaches the destination may it be anywhere in the world. Therefore the mailing system is excessively fast and is being used widely for mail tr
Try this new unique metasearch - TripleMe http://www.tripleme.com
very useful search tool, should be in 100 list.
TripleMe.COM fetching you results from Yahoo, Google and MSN Live on one screen in three columns side by side, allowing users to quickly find relevant links for the search string they entered.
TripleMe Search Engine supports search requests in all languages, netting a global reach where users anywhere in the world can easily search top results for Google, Yahoo and MSN. In addition, users can also perform local and global searches; something not currently offered with other metasearch engines.
According to TripleMe users statistic data for 3 months, 40% of results found in the Google column, 31% of results found in the Yahoo column and 27% of results found in the MSN Live column.
3 in 1 solution is definitely the way of searching today.
Posted by: Andrew Sorokin | March 25, 2008 7:56 PM