Search Engines

1. Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha is described as a computational knowledge engine.  This search engine uses "built-in data, algorithms, and methods" in order to find what is being searched for.  Instead of providing the user with a list of sources or webpages, it gives the answer being searched for flat out.  For example, I searched 2x/(x^2+x) and in return I got the input, result, plots on a graph, domain, range, and a few other sections of notes about the polynomial.  I had a lot of fun typing equations into Wolfram Alpha! This search engine is handy for specific questions rather than general research.

2.  Duck Duck Go

I took a tour of the site and I think it is a lot like Google.  One can use a stopwatch feature, define words, search for webpages, and much more.  The selling point for Duck Duck Go is that it does not track their users.  This gives users a better sense of security when surfing the internet.  The site can also be customized to the user's location and language preferences.  One thing I really enjoyed about Duck Duck Go is the !Bang feature.  The user can type and exclamation point then any website followed by keywords and it will directly search the site he typed in.  Try it out!

3. ChaCha

ChaCha describes themselves as a "free mobile Q&A service in the U.S. enabling advertisers and marketers to reach and engage their consumers in real time."  It is a search in which the users ask direct questions rather than using keyword searches.  Also, users are able to text ChaCha directly.  Before my friends and I had smart phones, we would text ChaCha in order to get quick answers without using a computer.  "Ask ChaCha" was a popular phrase around my group of friends. 

4.  Bing

Bing is owned by Microsoft and is advertised as a "decision enigine" that "puts the world's information at your fingertips".  Bing uses the users location, social media profiles, and other tools to further customize searches.  It is also very similar to Google in that it does calculations, defines words, translates words, and does conversions. 

5. WebMD

WebMD is a medical search engine.  It will allow users to input symptoms and retrieve a list of possible illnesses.  This search engine is also useful if you are looking for a doctor or specialist as well as provides health news.  I, being the hypochondriac I am, try to steer clear of using WebMD; however, it is extremely useful for those who need a quick glance of what their illness may be.  WebMD says they "provide credible information, supportive communities, and in depth reference material about health subjects that matter."

6. Ask 

Ask says, "[o]ur mission is to get our millions of users across the globe the answers they need."  The website has a section called The Know.  In The Know there are trivial questions, fun facts, Big Questions, and did you knows.  It is interesting to see all the different areas of the Ask website, though it is a bit annoying to use.  There are a lot of adds on Ask and the websites found are not always the best sources.  One upside, though, is when the user searches it provides them with a list of related sites, related FAQs, and a blurb about what the user had just searched for.

7.  Zillow

Zillow is a search engine used by those in the housing market.  They say that their mission is "to empower consumers with information and tools to make smart decisions about houses, real estate, and mortgages."  On this search engine, the user can look for houses to buy and rent, as well as get connected with realtors.  It also provides information about mortgages and home design.  Zillow is an excellent place to start if one is not sure what exactly is going on in the housing world.  The name Zillow comes from the "zillions of data points" it provides and the fact that one's home is where they lay their head down on a pillow (ZILLions + pillOW = Zillow).

8.  Yahoo

Yahoo is extremely similar to Google.  The user can set up an email account through this website as well as search webpages, share pictures, and checking sports scores and stock market quotes.  One thing I enjoy about Yahoo is that it is so similar to Google because it makes it easier to use if the user can already use Google well.  The website, however, seems very cluttered to me, that is why it is not my first choice in search engines.