Comments on: This July: Try Google-Free Fridays!

By: David Berkowitz

David Berkowitz — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 04:44:13 +0000

Thanks for the feedback, Danny. I think we’re both ultimately of the same mind in terms of all sorts of people needing to expand their horizons (it’s why we spend so much time writing about all this stuff, right?), even if we have some different approaches. This will come up in the next column due out Tues 7/3, so perhaps you’ll get some other feedback then.

By: gary price

gary price — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 01:43:42 +0000

Danny: As you know, we've been writing about a wide variety of search tools for years. Both when I was with you and Chris at SEW and for the past 6 years on ResourceShelf. (http://www.resourceshelf.com). While I currently work at Ask as Director of Online Info Resources, ResourceShelf and my speaking presentations, continue to focus on all sorts of search tools in a wide variety of areas. There isn't just one book or database in the library and online searchers should be aware and use a variety of resources. It's all about using the right tool at the right time. Do I use all of these tools daily. Nope. But it's good to know they are their when needed. I'll add that the ResourceShelf team is always appreciative of the coverage you give us on SEL. In the past few days, we've (ResourceShelf is now more than a one person operation) posted about: + Exalead, a general purpose web engine. Cool stuff. http://www.exalead.com + Two 3D digital globes http://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/06/27/3d-digital-globes-nasas-world-wind-adds-tour-de-france-2007-layer/ + Two real-estate verticals offering pricing info via SMS http://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/06/26/the-mobile-researcher-get-real-estate-info-pricing-ownership-and-other-info-via-housefrontcom/ + The new Scitopia.org science database project http://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/06/22/review-a-recent-presentation-and-do-some-searching-with-scitopiaorg/ + The new Global Science Gateway from the U.S. Dept of Energy and The British Library. http://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/06/24/global-science-gateway-now-open/ + In the past, we've written about the many free "special collections" NewspaperArchives.org offers. http://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/04/25/multiply-adds-access-to-amazoncom-wish-lists/ + and the new "Chronicling America" Newspaper Project from the Library of Congress. Now with more than 310,000 digitized pages. http://www.resourceshelf.com/2007/06/16/chronicling-america-site-now-offers-310000-newspaper-pages/ Two more quick notes: 1) Don't forget about the importance and usefulness of what I call non-commercial web directories where quality trumps quality. Examples: http://www.lii.org http://intute.ac.uk http://www.ipl.org http://infomine.ac.uk and subject specific services like http://globaledge.msu.edu 2) Remember, most public libraries offer FREE full text access to a number of databases from home, office, anywhere. All you need is a library card for a specific library. Not much effort for lots of content. More info here. http://www.betanews.com/article/Finding_Answers_Beyond_Web_Search/1118246650

By: RajG

RajG — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:05:56 +0000

Hey Danny, just a minor note that your MSN Live and Yahoo! links are transposed in the post. As a Yahoo, I want to protect folks from getting an MSN search experience when they were expecting a Yahoo! Search experience ;-)

By: Danny Sullivan

Danny Sullivan — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:26:07 +0000

David, the blog caters to both search marketers and to searchers. Both groups probably need to consider alternative search engines more. And sadly, even too many search marketers fail to check out the world beyond Google.

By: David Berkowitz

David Berkowitz — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 18:47:36 +0000

This blog caters to search engine marketers, right? Whether one is client-side, at a search engine marketing agency, or even from another search engine, it’s in everyone’s best interest to check out other search engines from time to time. If you only use one engine, no matter what that engine is, you’re not doing your job. Why we need a schedule for this is beyond me.

By: Joe Duck

Joe Duck — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:28:42 +0000

Good idea if people leave feedback about their experiences. But Danny after this are you still getting invited to the Google Dance?

By: bontb

bontb — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:49:11 +0000

Is google evil ? Sure it is :) It;s like WG.Bush, only promotes business with money to PR #1 even tho their SEO sux.

By: DavidDalka

DavidDalka — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 18:49:00 +0000

would using AOL really be Google free?

By: joe

joe — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:47:28 +0000

I have been using Y! Search and never had to fall back on Google — I was a bit unhappy with the speed to start with but that does seem to have improved quite a bit off-late!

Competition is good and Y! despite the mgmt screwups has a very solid search service, IMHO!

By: chris boggs

chris boggs — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:18:38 +0000

nice link bait. :)