Better searching without Google

Better searching without Google. Can it be done? Is it possible? Can pigs fly? Who is that masked man? Well, I'm not sure about the answers to the last two questions, but it's certainly possible to search without using Google. This article looks at the justifications for not using Google, the main alternatives, search engines for specific subject areas, custom search engines and RSS feeds.

This is actually the outline for a course that I run, so just ignore the outline of the day bit and enjoy trying out the different resources.

Comments

[Hazel]

Phil
Thanks for making this public - so useful. We all need reminding that there really is a world outside the walls of Googleland.

[Anthony]

As much as I agree that it seems Google may be "taking over the world" (yes, that was an attempt at humour), I am not sure that the average web searcher benefits significantly from other search engines. I have no vested interest in saying this, but I saw references to advanced (Boolean) search methods that few people, even in the industry, use.

I am curious to know who the intended audience of the course is.

[Phil Bradley]

Thanks Hazel.

Anthony - the course is designed for anyone who realises that in order to be a better searcher it's necessary to use more than one resource. A lot of information professionals these days are coming to the conclusion that there's more to searching than Google. I'm not sure which industry you mean, but within the information industry is it very widely used.

Given that the course was full to the limit I think it's got an audience. :)