Top 50 Search Engines
Basically, a search engine is a software program that searches for sites based on the words that you designate as search terms. Search engines look through their own databases of information in order to find what it is that you are looking for.

How Do Search Engines Work?
Search engines are not simple. They include incredibly detailed processes and methodologies, and are updated all the time. This is a bare bones look at how search engines work to retrieve your search results. All search engines go by this basic process when conducting search processes, but because there are differences in search engines, there are bound to be different results depending on which engine you use.
The searcher types a query into a search engine.
Search engine software quickly sorts through literally millions of pages in its database to find matches to this query.
The search engine's results are ranked in order of relevancy.

1. Google - Google is a search engine that makes heavy use of link popularity as a primary way to rank web sites. Users across the web have in essence voted for good sites by linking to them.
2. Ask Jeeves - Innovative online search service that processes plain-language queries with surprising accuracy.
3. Lycos - Lycos has been around since the early days of the net and is still one of the most popular search engines. The service employs human editors for some of its listings, complemented by crawler-based results. The name Lycos comes from the Latin for "wolf spider."
4. Alta Vista - An awesome site from Digital, it maintains a HUGE index with powerful and FAST search functions. Coverage is excellent so it is good for broad searching and for offbeat subjects but you can be overwhelmed by too many hits. The Advanced Search is useful for finding images, MP3/audio and video files, and there's the useful Babelfish Translator .
5. LookSmart - LookSmart is the closest rival Yahoo has, in terms of being a human-compiled directory of the web. The high quality of the directory is thanks to a team of nearly 200 full-time professional editors.
6. Yahoo! -Yahoo is the web's most popular search service and has a well-deserved reputation for helping people find information easily. The secret to Yahoo's success is human beings. It is the largest human-compiled guide to the web, employing 80 or more editors in an effort to categorize the web. Yahoo has at least 1 million sites listed.
7. MSN (Microsoft) Microsoft's MSN service features both directory listings and search engine results. Powered by Inktomi, this is now one of the most powerful search engines.
8. BBC - Search The Web The BBC's "family friendly" search engine, based on Google search technology. Results are clear, uncluttered, relevant, and commercial free. "Our results are the ones that best match your search words - not the ones advertisers want you to see." Excellent!
9. GigaBlast Gigablast is a new search-engine that looks set to challenge Google. It's been set up by a New Mexican Software Engineer, and already producing great search results.
10. GO Network Go is the reincarnation of Infoseek, a newly designed site claiming to have enhanced capabilities, with a 50% larger search index and search results pages that are 30% faster. It offers portal features such as personalization and free e-mail.
11. HotBot This search engine has a great many loyal fans. It very often comes up with the goods where other engines fail.
12. Open Directory NetScape's Open Directory Project aims to build the most comprehensive human-reviewed directory of the web, by relying on a vast army of volunteer editors.
13. Teoma Search Teoma, which means "expert" in Gaelic, determines the authority or quality of a site's content, by using Subject-Specific Popularity. Subject-Specific Popularity ranks a site based on the number of same-subject pages that reference it, not just general popularity.
14. FAST Search One of the new generation of search services, armed with next-generation technology. FAST aims to be bigger, speedier and more accurate than the existing major search engines.
15. Multi Search Multi Search is a powerful tool which will search all the top search engines with one click.
16. Webcrawler One of the first and biggest search engines, and it still produces highly relevant results.
17. REX This is a VERY nice site - a little sense of humour, very professionally done.
    
18. HandiLinks This is a great directory. HandiLinks listings are all organized into a hierarchical index and it's fast and easy-to-use. It has extensive categorization, and uses a frame design that aids rather than getting in the way of searches.
    
19. Snap.com Snap.com is a human-compiled directory of web sites, supplemented by search results. It aims to challenge Yahoo as the champion of categorizing the web.
    
20. Scour.Net A useful multimedia search engine. Use it to find audio, video, images and animation Scour.Net takes you directly to the multimedia you are searching for, quickly and easily.
    
21. AAA Matilda The most popular search engine outside of North America. Matilda is a very individual search engine from Australia, and growing rapidly in popularity.
    
22. UK Plus UK Plus features reviews of UK-relevant sites, prepared by a team of journalists. Reviews are grouped into various channels, covering everything from Arts and Business to Travel and Work. They are also searchable.
    
23. Direct Hit This Popularity Engine tracks the sites that people actually select from the search results list. By analyzing the activity of millions of previous Internet searchers, Direct Hit determines the most popular and relevant sites for your search request.
    
24. Dogpile Sends a search to a customizable list of search engines, directories and specialty search sites.
    
25. Britannica Internet Guide This site strives to list only the highest quality sites on the Net. It's now integrated into the Britannicca.com website, so you get a high-quality search engine and encyclopaedia at the same time.
    
26. Go2Net This is a metacrawler, in other words it searches several other search engines in order to obtain its results. Rapidly gaining in popularity as a web portal.
    
27. Alba36.com A human reviewed searchable directory to over 2700 specialty and regional search engines, vortals, portals, topical guides, specialized directories and the best web sites.
    
28. WhosBest.com A search engine that gives ratings for each site.
    
29. ANZWERS ANZWERS (Australian and New Zealand Web Enquiry and Research System) offers visitors the ability to quickly conduct region and domain specific searches.
    
30. Mamma Sends search requests to seven major search engines.
    
31. NewsTrawler Allows you to send a query to one or more news sites from one location. Hundreds of sites are listed, by country and by category.
    
32. EuroSeek EuroSeek is distinguished from other such engines by a multi-lingual interface.
    
33. Your WebScout A popular index of the Net's best Web sites, discussion groups and archives.
    
34. Northern Light A professional researchers' favourite, because it organises material so well by topic. Based in Canada.
    
35. SelectSurf An excellent website directory, that doesn't overwhelm with too many sites.
    
36. BrightGate MetaSearch Searches over 20 search engines using a parallel metasearch.
    
37. NewsBot HotBot's news-only search service.
    
38. UKMax UKMax allows users to search only pages within the .uk domain or perform a worldwide search. It also offers some directory listings, regional news content, weather reports, and portal features such as portfolio tracking.
    
39. SearchUK Lists UK-related domains.
    
40. Global Online Directory (GOD) UK based search engine.
    
41. GoTo GoTo is the only major search engine which sells listings. Companies can pay money to be placed higher in the search results, which GoTo feels improves relevancy.
    
42. Internet Sleuth Allows you to search the standard search engine choices or a huge number of specialty sites, all from the same place.
    
43. Search Spaniel This dog sniffs out several of major search engines at the same time, or you can choose to do the same with an extensive list of specialty search services, such as for entertainment or employment information.
    
44. SavvySearch Metacrawler type engine.
    
45. BOTBOT.com BOTBOT parallel search engine and Web Directory - Get multiple results using advanced parallel search technology. Search the Web, News, MP3, Images, Audio, Video and more. Comes up with some good results.
    
46. UK Index Lists sites based in the UK or that are UK-relevant.
    
47. Metafind Similar to Dogpile, except that searches only go to search engines.
    
48. HuskySearch The author of MetaCrawler continues research into information retrieval with this University of Washington-based metacrawler.
    
49. Mirago UK directory and search engine.
    
50. HealthLinks Massive directory listing over 4,600 health related websites in 150 categories.

40 Unusual Websites you should Bookmark - (Part 2)This is the Continuation of the 40 unusual Websites part1.It lists undiscovered webservices that are original, rather unique, unusual, useful, free, and must-be bookmarked type. You won’t find any collaboration, storage or ToDo service here. Enjoy!!!
Top 10:
1. beFunky - Awesome web app that turns images to cartoonized paintings and videos to cartoons.
2. DisplayWars - Incredibly simple tool that helps lots of people. Want to buy a new screen? DisaplyWars lets you compare screen sizes by mapping one display size on top of the other.
3. DocSyncer - Synchronize office documents in your ‘My Documents’ folder with Google Docs account.
4. JotYou - By using this service you can send messages to others so they get them only when they are in the area you specify.
5. Keybr - Online keyboard to practice your touch typing skills.See also Typing Master
6. Mint - The simplest way to manage your finances.
7. Numbr - Free disposable phone numbers.
8. PDFHammer - Merge, edit and rearrange PDF documents online. Solid PDF Tools
9. PhoneSpell - Ever wondered if you phone number spells something memorable ? PhoneSpell will find it out.
10. SecondRotation / BuyMyTronics - Want to cash in on your old iPod ? Or mobile phone ? Both of these services will buy your old (broken) gadget, regardless of its condition.
Other
11. BeamIt - Send pictures, music, videos, docs or any other file to your cellphone.
12. BooksInMyPhone - Download and read copyright-free books on a mobile phone. Comes with its own book reader.
13. CallTheFuture - Schedule text messages and get them delivered (as a voicemail) on any desired date in the future.
14. CameraSummary - Extracts so called EXIF data from the images. Shows what model of digicam was used, image creation date and time, resolution settings, location and so on.
15. CanYouRunIt - One-click web app that inspects your PC’s hardware and software settings to determine whether or not it meets gaming requirements for a game of your choice.
16. CellSwapper - Transfer your current mobile contract to someone else. Or get a free plan with only a short term contract.
17. CivilAnswers - Free legal assistance.
18. ControlC - This small cross-platform (Win, Mac, Linux) monitors your clipboard and saves everything online.
19. Definr - Incredibly fast online dictionary. It takes abt 14 ms to lookup a word.
20. Drop.io - By far the coolest service for private file collaboration and transfers. Add files by email, send voice messages from phone, etc.
21. File-Destructor 2 - Generates files (Doc, PDF, … ) that look genuine but won’t launch properly. Basically, it’s a tool that helps you put all the blame on your “faulty computer”.
22. File-encryptor - Secure encryption tool to freely encrypt/decrypt sensitive files online. Quite handy for sending over sensitive files.
23. FlashPhone - Free flash-based SIP-softphone. Simply add your SIP account and you’re good to go. No need to install anything.
24. Google Mobilizer - Makes your fav. websites mobile friendly. Must-have for your mobile bookmarks.
25. GetMyFBIfile - Here you can generate letter templates that you can use to request for a free copy of your FBI file.
26. LetterMeLater - Offers one feature that your email doesn’t have, ‘the ability to schedule when an email should be sent’. Coolest part about, you can use it directly from your email program (GMail, Outlook, etc.).
27. Mailbucket - Finally, a tool to help you forward emails to your feedreader.
28. Mobical - Over-the-air mobilebackup and restore service. Backup phone contacts, calendar, bookmarks and settings.
29. MoDazzle - Access Facebook, LinkedIn and dozens of other web services (weather, stock quotes, etc.) via email or mobile text messaging. Update Facebook ’status’, get un-read messages from Facebook inbox, get someone’s profile info from LinkedIn, and lots more.
30. Nanoscan - Super fast yet compehensive online virus scanner.
31. OhDon’tForget - It does only one thing, but does it really well: Schedule text message reminders to any phone.
32. ProQuo - Reduce junk mail by removing your personal data from telemarketing lists.
33. PPCalc - Comprehensive Paypal fees calculator.
34. Rondee - Fast, easy and free way to arrange phone conference calls with as many people as you want.
35. SpokenText - Convert PDF, Word, plain text, PowerPoint files, ,RSS news feeds, emails and web pages to speech.
36. Sullr - Obtain information about telephone lines in reverse mode. Get address, location, owner’s name etc.
37. WakerUpper - Schedule wake-up phone calls. Lots of useful features.
38. WebMarkers - Adds additional option to your ‘Print’ menu that lets you print documents (or webpages) directly to the web.
39. WhatShouldIReadNext - Book recommendation service. Simply enter the author and title of your latest book and it will give you a list of recommended readings.
40. WorldTaxiMeter - Calculate the cost of a taxi ride in a number of top cities worldwide (London, New York, Rome …). Accessible both from the web and mobile phone.

1. BugMeNot - instantly get disposable login details for any popular website that forces you to register.
2. DailyLit - read your favorite books by email (on your PC, mobile, etc.).
3. FranceRadio - neat MP3 Search Engine that lets you Find, Play and Download favorite MP3s for FREE.
4. Google SMS - provides mobile users with a quick access (via SMS) to a wide range of practical information and tools (i.e. business listings (pizzerias, shops, etc.), weather, movie listings, driving directions, currency converter and lots more.
5. Podlinez - listen to your favorite podcasts from any phone. Just enter the RSS feed URL for the desired podcast and get a free-toll number to access it from a phone.
6. RetailMeNot - locate fresh discount coupons for thousands of web merchants and services right from your browser toolbar.
7. SoLow - on a daily basis SoLow auctions 4 different items (iPhones, HD Screens, etc.). Anyone with a mobile/PC can participate in the auctions by placing their bids via text-messaging. The user with the lowest unique bid wins the auction.
8. TeleFlip - auto-forward your emails to your cellphone as text messages.
9. UrbanDictionary - hilarious (and practical) 100% user-maintained dictionary where users provide and vote on definitions for urban words (slangs).
10. Yak4Ever - make free international calls from US, UK and Ireland to 50+ countries.
=== Mobile - related ===
11. Bitbom - schedule free text message reminders to your phone. Schedule online or using mobile. (Similar PingMe.)
12. Flurry - follow up on your emails (send, receive) and receive latest articles from favorite blogs/websites on your mobile.
13. Foonz - place group calls and send messages to multiple people for free (from your mobile or any other phone).
14. GameJump - lots of free games for mobile phones.
15. GrandCentral - single phone number for all your phones and a web-based centralized voicemail system. (Similar: YouMail, GotVoice)
16. IQzone - post your classified ad to a number of online and print classified networks directly from your mobile.
17. Jott - simple and convenient service for leaving yourself notes and ToDo reminders using your mobile.
18. Mosio - text any question from your mobile phone and shortly receive up-to 4 answers.
19. mShopper - instantly check up on the bargain deals for any product (or even order) right from your mobile phone.
20. NoPhoneTrees - simple phone directory that lists direct human access numbers to support employees in hundreds of companies.
21. Nutsie - takes a copy of your iTunes library file and creates an online copy of your library. Access this library from PC or mobile phone.
22. Google SendToPhone - forward anything you find on the web (maps, address, text, etc.) to any mobile phone for free (US only).
23. Qipit - take quick document pictures and turn them into properly formatted PDFs. Save online, email, or fax documents right from mobile.
24. Soonr - handy application that lets you access your PC remotely using your mobile or any other PC (work, school, etc.).
25. TelePixie - quickly schedule and receive daily (or one time) wake up phone calls, reminders, weather forecast calls, jokes, and more.
26. TellMe - free local directory service for business listings (Car Repair Shops, Pizzerias, Restaurants, etc.), maps, and directions.
27. PhoneZoo - convert your MP3s to custom-length ringtones and forward them to your phone. Plus 1000s of free ringtones from other users.
=== Other ===
28. BossBitching - fun and active community where people can bit*h about their bosses anonymously.
29. eSnailer - send free postal mail letters (to anywhere in the US) right from the desktop. From Canada? Check out EasyPost.
30. Yapta - get a refund (or credit) from the airlines on a purchased ticket in case its price drops.
31. ListenToaMovie - lets you ‘listen to a movie’, i.e. stream the audio part of various movies and some TV-shows.
32. OpenDNS - provides a safer, faster, smarter and more reliable way to navigate the Internet.
33. PodioBooks - search, subscribe and browse through a variety of totally free audio books(100% legal).
34. PriceProtectr - tracks the price of items you bought online and notifies in case of price-drops, so you can request a refund.
35. RateMyDrawings - excellent place to draw, share your drawing creations, learn to draw, and watch other people drawing.
36. SwitchPlanet - cool and active marketplace where you can switch (or trade) used DVDs, CDs, Video Games and Books.
37. Scribd- search, browse, rate, share various types of documents (jokes, facts, stories etc.). It’s like Youtube for text documents.
38. ViaTalk - make up-to 10 minutes long free phone calls to anywhere in the US and Canada. You don’t even need to sign-up.
39. VideoSift - popular Digg-like voting community for user-submitted videos.
40. Wordie - make lists of words (words you love, words you hate, or whatever) and share them with others.

The disaster isn't shared equally, though. Some countries are in a much better position than others to rebound from the current malaise by attracting entrepreneurs, investors and workers.
Who are they? Our fourth annual Best Countries for Business ranking looks at business conditions in 127 economies.

Topping the list for 2009: Denmark, for a second straight year, takes the No. 1 spot. The U.S. is up two spots to No. 2, Canada is up four spots to No. 3, Singapore is up four to No. 4 and New Zealand is up seven to No. 5.
Big movers included New Zealand (No. 5, up seven spots), followed by Jordan (No. 33, up 28), Australia (No. 8, up five), United Arab Emirates (No. 46, up 28) and Malaysia (No. 25, up 13).

This is not a tally of economies with high gross domestic product growth, or low unemployment. The goal is to quantify for entrepreneurs and investors the often-qualified information about dynamic economies and what they would consider desirable conditions for business.

Personal freedoms play a big part - it's hard to start a company or find talented employees under totalitarian regimes and military juntas. So we include measures of the right to participate in free and fair elections, freedom of expression and organization.
Taking care of investors, with laws assuring recourse for minority shareholders in cases of corporate misdeeds, is also important. As a barometer for corruption, Transparency International examines the number and frequency of incidents where corporate assets are misused for personal gain.

Amid the financial turmoil this year, we added stock market performance to reflect the extent of disrepair in countries' banking systems, as well as investor confidence in a recovery. Intellectual property rights, the promotion of free trade and low inflation, combined with low taxes on income and investment, give a snapshot of the conditions for business in each.
All was not lost in a tough year for believers in low taxes, free trade and limited bureaucracy. Despite swelling budget deficits, at least 50 countries recently cut or passed plans to cut taxes on individuals and businesses, including eight of the top 10, with individuals and investors in the U.S. and Norway left in the lurch.

The United Arab Emirates, in particular, has made strides in protecting intellectual property rights through initiatives like educational seminars for thousands of students, with support from corporations like Procter & Gamble, Estée Lauder and General Motors. New Zealand improved its free-trade ranking by pursuing talks with India, Korea and Hong Kong, while securing the first (for a developed nation) free-trade deal with China late last year. Infrastructure improvements to the Jordanian stock market are improving enforcement of investment laws and compliance by broker members.

Sliding the most this year was Ireland (No. 14, down 12), which even saw plans for a Guinness mega-brewery shelved by parent Diageo as exports slowed. Uruguay (No. 66, down 22), Armenia (No. 94, down 31), Paraguay (No. 99, down 29) and Latvia (No. 45, down 13) rounded out this year's losers.

Expertise, research and published reports--from the Heritage Foundation, World Economic Forum, World Bank, Transparency International, Freedom House, Deloitte Tax, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Central Intelligence Agency - all contributed vital analyzes of various socioeconomic indicators on the countries included.