>101 Web Searching & Research Tools- Use Ctrl-F to search for a word or phrase- AAL
A comprehensive list of over 101 web searching and research tools categorized by type, including computation, educational resources, and multimedia. The spreadsheet features columns for the type of site, name, address link, and a brief description of each tool. Notable entries include Wolfram|Alpha for statistical information and Sweet Search, a curated search engine for students. Users can easily filter and search for specific tools using the provided dropdowns and Ctrl-F functionality.
Content article
Over 101 web searching and research tools are detailed here, categorized by their specific functions and features.
Sites
The collection begins with Blekko, which lists 250 sites, and encourages users to filter searches by type using a dropdown menu. Noteworthy tools include Wolfram|Alpha, a computational engine recognized for its ability to provide statistical and computed information, accessible at www.wolframalpha.com. Gnod, found at www.gnod.com, is celebrated for its eclectic searching tools that cover art, literature, music, and more, often presenting results in graphic formats or word maps.
For educational purposes, Sweet Search (www.sweetsearch.com) is a curated search engine specifically designed for students, filtering results to only include 35,000 approved websites. InstaGrok (www.instagrok.com) offers an interactive visual interface that allows users to explore topics with adjustable language difficulty, making it ideal for younger audiences.
Media tools include 10 x 10 (tenbyten.org), which provides a snapshot of the most relevant words and images every hour, and About.com Web Search (websearch.about.com), which offers guidance on how to search effectively. AcademicInfo (www.academicinfo.net) aims to cover all aspects of education, while Addictomatic (http://addictomatic.com) creates customized topic pages from various sources, including Bing and Twitter.
For those interested in site traffic analysis, Alexa (www.alexa.com) provides insights into site rankings and user engagement, while AllTheWeb (www.alltheweb.com) serves as an alternative search engine with robust date filtering options. Other notable mentions include Answers.com (www.answers.com), which aggregates information from numerous encyclopedic sources, and AnyWho (www.anywho.com), which helps find phone numbers and addresses.
Legend to Site/Tools Types
The tools are categorized into several types. Search tools encompass general search engines, while Aggregator and Meta Search Tools, like Gnod and Ask, compile results from multiple sources. Blogs and Social Media tools, such as Blog Search Engine and Blog Catalog, focus on aggregating blog content. Creative Commons resources are highlighted, including CC Mixter (http://ccmixter.org) for audio and Compfight (www.compfight.com) for images.
Citation tools like BibMe (www.bibme.org) and Connotea (www.connotea.org) assist users in creating MLA formatted citations. For computation and statistical information, resources like Climate Data Online Search from NOAA (www.ncdc.noaa.gov) are invaluable. Educational tools, including Curriki (www.curriki.org), empower educators to share and develop curricula.
Additional Tools and Resources
Mobile device applications are represented by Chomp (http://chomp.com), which helps users discover apps based on functionality rather than names. The CIA World Factbook (www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook) provides comprehensive data on various global entities, and DevilFinder (www.devilfinder.com) offers an innovative way to retrieve extensive search results from popular engines.
The spreadsheet also includes tools for writing, such as Cook's Thesaurus (www.foodsubs.com), which serves as a culinary encyclopedia. The collection emphasizes the diversity of resources available for different needs, from academic research to casual browsing, ensuring that users can find the right tool for their specific inquiries.