AltaVista

Allows simple or advanced searching of the Web. Particularly useful for finding foreign sites or information in foreign languages. AltaVista search results come from Yahoo's database of links. To search a clutter-free version of AltaVista, go to Raging Search, a search engine that uses AltaVista's database, but with a much cleaner interface.

Ask 

(formerly Ask Jeeves)

Unique service in that it allows you to type in questions and then attempts to link you to the exact page that answers your question. Will also provide you with links from other search engines.

Exalead

A smaller search engine that offers thumbnail screenshots in your search results.  Exalead is one of few search engines that supports proximity searching.  Use the word NEAR in all capital letters to find words within 16 words of each other.  Search results can be sorted into categories, and some results will come from the Open Directory Project.

Gigablast

A relatively newer search engine that boasts "continuous updating and refreshing of database in real time." Offers Boolean searching, (and, or, not), the ability to search for .PDF, MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel files.

Google

Uses link popularity as the primary way to rank search results. Especially useful for finding good sites on very general topics and for finding consumer information.

MSN Search

A large, unique web database that offers the ability to search news, images and the Encarta encyclopedia. Build complex searches using the "Search Builder." The search button drop-down menu lets you look for stock quotes, word definitions, movie times and music.

WiseNut

Launched in September 2001, WiseNut is a large search engine that ranks results by their relevance and popularity. It offers a variety of optional features.

Yahoo!

One of the most well-known Internet search tools, Yahoo! now has its own large index of websites to go along with its excellent directory. Yahoo! can search for images, video clips, news, and businesses and services in selected parts of the country. The Advanced search lets you limit by domain, language, geographic origin of the website, and recently updated websites.

Article Search Engines

FindArticles.com

Search for over 10 million full-text magazine articles dating back to 1995. Also offers the option to browse by publication title, search by exact phrase and keyword. Related searches will find other similar articles. Not all articles in FindArticles.com are free.

MagPortal.com

Allows you to find articles, plus you can order results by date or publisher. Articles can also be found by browsing a directory structure.

MetaSearch Engines

Beaucoup!

Beaucoup! has links to over 2,500 search engines and finding aids on the Internet. It allows searching of up to 10 search engines at once.

Dogpile

Searches over 20 search engines and subject archives at once. Allows Boolean, phrase, domain searching and more. Search results will be very similar to those found in Webcrawler.com.

Search.com

Allows searching of several search engines at once. Also allows limiting by type of information to retrieve and number of search engines to use.

SurfWax

Searches a number of directories and search engines at once. The SiteSnaps feature provides useful summaries of pages that appear in search results.

WebCrawler

Another meta-search engine that searches several search engines at once. It is owned by InfoSpace, Inc. which also operates Dogpile, so search results will be very similar. Not useful for obscure topics, but may be helpful for those who don't want to be overwhelmed with search results.

Vivisimo

A unique metasearch engine that automatically "clusters" your search results into hierarchically sorted groups. Useful if you are searching for a topic that is unfamiliar to you, because the search engine shows you what other keywords will produce results. You can also search specialized sources like government websites, news, sports and business news.

Specialized Search Engines

Picsearch

Allows searchers to find color, black and white and animated images on the Web. Neatly displays the type of picture (.jpg or .gif), file size, the URL of the image and the URL of the page it came from. Limit your search by the size of the picture in pixels.

Google Groups

Search for articles posted in Usenet newsgroups. Search all Usenet newsgroups or only select groups.

Internet Directories

Internet Public Library

An authoritative, searchable collection of websites. Also offers an "Ask a Question" service. Your reference question will be answered by a volunteer professional librarian.

Infomine

A "virtual library of Internet sources relevant to faculty, students and research staff at the university level." Includes not just websites but links to databases, electronic journals, bulletin boards, mailing lists, online library catalogs and more.

Librarian's Internet Index

A searchable directory of websites created, maintained and updated by librarians. Uses Library of Congress (LC) Subject Headings. Offers Advanced searching options, links to new sites added.

The Open Directory Project

One of the most respected human-created directories of Internet sources.