I am focusing on Web 2.0 technologies (called rich internet applications) in relationship to searching. So, many great community-based search engines are not listed here. If that's what you are looking for then take a look at the links section at the bottom of this page.

No money was received from any of the companies listed here in exchange for a review. All the logos, trademarks, ect. are intended as fair use under United States copyright law for the means of identification and critical commentary.

Introduction: Who doesn't love a rebel? KartOO launched in 2001 as modest search engine relying on word of mouth to spread. It is officially a Metasearch Engine, meaning that it uses other search engines for results (source). So keep in mind that it is just teaching the old dogs some new tricks.

What's cool: The interface is great! This clever website maps pages out in a web-like structure so users can see how things are connected. Plus, additional keywords are scattered across the page so the tech-savvy user can narrow his/her search with ease.

What's not: After trying something a little more specific, like Yahoo, it took my eyes a couple of seconds to find the famous homepage. Also, the interface may overwhelm the common user.

The conclusion: KartOO makes searching an art. However, it may be a little too strong. Also, some additional organization on their chaos theory might be nice.

Where to get it: http://www.kartoo.com/

Introduction: This is another visual search engine similar to KartOO. Quintura combines that traditional list view with the new web-view that KartOO gave the world.

What's cool: The website works by taking web results and showing them in a linear view to the right of the screen. On the left, there are additional keywords in a web view that can be clicked on to narrow the search. In addition, search results can be sent to others by e-mail or embedded into a website.

What's not: The interface is kinda cut and dry. Also, the search results are gathered from Yahoo (which isn't bad, it's just not unique).

The conclusion: The linear view provides a certain level of order that the chaos of KartOO can not offer. So, when doing research, this might be one of your first stops.

Where to get it: http://www.quintura.com/

Introduction: Founded in 2001, TouchGraph takes web-style internet searches to the extreme. Yet, it does it so gracefully. In fact, it is used by Friendster, a popular social networking site, and the British National History Museum (source).

What's cool: Out of the three search engines tried so far, this is probably my favorite. It does Amazon, Google, and Facebook. Webs can be expanded and compacted based upon the website instead of the search term. Also, certain sites can be popped off the map like a bubble! While it may not be the greatest research tool, its true value lies in the science behind it. TouchGraph truly shows how the internet is organized. A beautiful piece of art any geek could love.

What's not: This may not be the right choice for day to day searches. Still, this is just one cool website!

Where to get it: http://touchgraph.com/TGGoogleBrowser.html.

Introduction: Grokker was created by Groxis, which was founded in 2001. In a sense, it puts a suit on TouchGraph, and for more scholarly pursuits this might be the place to go. Grokker pulls data from Yahoo, Wikipedia, and Amazon.

What's cool: For organizing information Grokker has 2 views: the outline view and the web view. The outline view is where the real power is, as it offers a lot of suggestions. So, no matter what you are looking for, Grokker can narrow down your search to the letter.

What's not: The web is not nearly as complex as some of the other services reviewed, leaving a little to be desired.

A little note: The site says that Linux is not supported. However, I used it from a Linux computer and it seemed to be working fine.

Where to get it: The homepage can be found at http://www.grokker.com/.

Introduction: I remember the good old days of Ask Jeeves. Alas, technology has moved on. But, the guys at this old but faithful website have been busy and the other search giants might be due for a wake-up call.

What's cool: OK, there are no webs or fancy outlines, but, it is organized. To the left you have links to both narrow and expand your search. To the right, you have images, encyclopedia entries, and blogs. Plus, it has a page preview feature!

What's not: Well, it's nothing too extreme or innovative. Also, I have always favored Google results as being more relevant. One last thing, where is the old butler we used to know and love?

Conclusion: These guys have been busy. Hopefully, the old butler will start being a little more adventurous though. Just take one radically good idea, bring back Jeeves, and we will be in business.

Where to get it: http://www.ask.com/

Introduction: Where would internet search be without Google? Their legendary pageRank (Wikipedia) algorithm, created by Larry Page and Seregy Brin, has changed the web with its search quality. Their advanced improvements to the old search methods of yesterday have been leading the way in searching the web almost unmatched and unchallenged. In fact, according to Nielsen NetRatings, the giant enjoyed 49.2% of the searches on the web in July 2006. So, I took some of Google's new search technologies out for a spin.

What's cool: There is a lot going on in Mountain View California, where Google has its headquarters (Wikipedia). Here is what they are cooking up:

Keyword Suggestion Feature: When a user types in a search term, Google comes up with some suggestions and displays how many results there are for each. When entering Web 2.0, I was suggested Web 2.0 expo, technologies, and definitions. All of which would have helped my narrow down my search. It's kinda scary when a comptuer reads your mind...

Timeline View: Students and teachers rejoice! Those pesky research projects are no match for Google's herculean organizational strength. With this view search results can be narrowed down by date ranges. It even has a graph to show users the number of results for each year!

Info View: This view can show the dates, measurements, locations, and images for a website. It seems like a lot of fun, but for the geek appeal, images really does the trick and the others fall short (darn useful research tools).

Map View: This tool puts out the search results on a map. This add-on works like a charm, but, it is really nothing new.

Keyboard Shortcuts: Remember DOS? With these easy to use keyboard commands you can fly through your search results retro-style! Plus, if you forget what J and K do, then you can always look to the side of the screen to find the concise command list.

Left-hand / Right-hand Search Navigation: On the side of the screen you have a few keyword suggestions and quick links to Google's more narrow search utilities.

A lot of custom search: It's not new, but Google offers Blog Search, Book Search, Finance (with interactive charts), Maps, News Search, Patent Search, Product Search, Scholar Search, Video Search, US Gov. Search, Groups Search, and more.

What's not:

Keyword Suggestion Feature: This nifty, but unoriginal, tool could get annoying for those quick look-ups. Still, how can one complain about getting good advice?

Timeline View: It did not work for Web 2.0 and an alternative search term had to be used. I see the potential, but maybe not the reality. Also, the application seems to still have a bugs (luckily its still in testing).

The Info View: Well, it's good for research, but not so great for poking around. Most websites had no dates, measurements, or locations that could be displayed. Even the images view was a little disappointing. Still, the idea is good.

The Map View: Well, no points for originality. After all, Mapquest has had this feature forever. Plus, it has been around in Google Maps for a while too.

Keyboard Shortcuts: It's a little hard to beat the mouse. But, heck it works and it's fun. Geekify my captain!

Left-hand / Right-hand Search Navigation: It seems a lot like Ask.com and the navigation box is accidentally concealed by sponsored ads when on the right hand side of the screen. Of course, keep in mind that all of this is experimental.

The conclusion: Maybe perfect is a little too strong, but Google is king of the hill. In addition to their killer search results, they have been a key driving force in Web 2.0 with Google Docs (think Microsoft Office except online), iGoogle (an online desktop), and much more. So, it is not surprising they are adding some new features to their classic search results page. However, in some ways I was kinda was hoping for more. None of the features tested are very ground-breaking, at least compared to the rest of their endless arsenal of innovations. But, while the improvements are minor, the old Giant is keeping up. After all, they have turned almost everything they have done into a success. So, for now let's just watch and see the Midas Touch in action. Plus, who can beat all of those specialized searches!

Where to get it: For now, only 1 feature can be used at a time. You can configure your browser here. The homepage is http://www.google.com/ with the specialized searches here.

A note: One might be wondering why Google got on here and received so much praise for its somewhat unoriginal innovations. After all, Yahoo and Clusty got the shaft (see below). The answer is simple, simplicity. Google just works, and it works well. That's why it has kept its head above water for so long. Think of it this way: most of the services offered so far are not really for day-to-day searches. That's were Google's, although unoriginal, non-intrusive add-ons come in.

However, its simplicity is almost deceptive. For those who do not know, Google's way of ranking pages is arguably (and commonly agreed upon as) the most effective and efficient system available.