Quintura: Visual Cloud Search Engine

http://www.quintura.com/

Quintura takes searching to a new level...up in the clouds. It employs the new cloud technology to provide a more visual search, and also lets you see not just the usual search results, but also any images or videos that are in the selected websites. The images are useful if you need some quick visuals for PowerPoint presentations etc.

It also has an Amazon tab which shows you books available on the subject.

For second language learners, the clouds help them find the exact information they need if they have difficulty determining effective key words, and the visualization helps them to check that what they have found is what they were indeed searching.

Visual Find Engine

"Visualization becomes the center of user experience replacing antiquated listings and Boolean strings.
While viewing the Quintura Cloud, you can visually navigate and easily refine in order to find relevant information faster and more efficiently!"

JOTT: Time Management and Calendar

Time management is an essential skill for students, even after they leave school. Here is a free program that acts as a personal secretary. Finding new 2.0 apps is pretty common, but finding ones I like ( and that fit my 'keep it simple' philosophy) is not as common. This one fills all my criteria.
Jott (http://www.jott.com/) is a utility tool that you might find worthwhile. You can use your cell phone to send emails, create lists, and even add to your Blogs. It will convert your voice to text.If you want to send an email from your cell phone, just call the Jott number and tell it who you want to contact.You need to have recipient names and email addresses or cell numbers (for text messages) already programmed from your computer, but once in, you can use them at any time, anywhere you can use your cell phone.After initial programming, it's easy to use your phone to send a message. I have an iPhone which does everything but cook my dinner (next upgrade?) but I still find this tool useful. I've tried it several times and it sends the info quite clearly. It also adds a link so the person can hear your voice message, in case the text translation is not clear.
It will do the same for leaving posts on a Blog. Say you are no where near a computer and need post a message on your Blog. Call Jott on your cell to the pre-programmed address of your Blog of choice and it will post directly to that Blog, and give the option of listening to your voice as well.Hint: if you post to more than one Blog, make sure you give them unique names.It's also good for reminders (eg: 'dentist appt. at 4 on 6/27/08') and lists (I use it for a shopping list). Do you want to keep track of the latest news or sports scores? Add RSS feed info into your Jott account and it will send that info to your cell phone. It's quick and easy, and fun to do. Try it out!

Casey Family Programs provides and improves—and ultimately prevents the need for—foster care.
For five days, Seattle turned its attention to compassion. The unprecedented events drew people from all across the nation. Seeds of Compassion, featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama, turned world focus for the need to create more compassionate and caring individuals.
William C. Bell, President and CEO, Casey Family Programs spoke of putting "Compassion into Action" to improve the lives of our most vulnerable children and families in foster care.
You can make a difference in the life of a child in foster care. Learn the most important number of all by viewing the video clip below.View in Windows Media PlayerView in QuickTime
So how will you unleash your compassion? Sign up to receive information at Compassion@casey.org. Learn more about Seeds of Compassion
......................................................................................Request for Applications Casey Family Programs has partnered with Georgetown University Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) for revolutionary certificate programs to improve outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Read the press releaseApply to BSC and certificate program

hello

hi everyone
bye says nacho

Ahem...Group 1...

I can see that you have been checking out the Blog, but see no posts of your own yet. See me in my office (Room 312,office 306/310) or send me an email at jsotir@waubonsee.edu.

Boolean Search Tool

This is a visual tool for understanding how a Boolean Search works. Go to: http://www.boolify.org/ Click on the link and simply place the puzzle pieces on the pad, starting with a green piece. See how each addition of an operator changes the search results.

Boolean Search Video

This is a short video on using Boolean Operators. Check it out!

Here you go....

Update: 4/4/08 2:35 pm

I just sent out all the invitations. If you don't have one, then I couldn't read your email address. Please email me and I'll re-send the invitation to the correct address. Don't forget that you need to return the invitation and then set up a user name and password to post to the Blog.

• You need to sign in with that user name and password each time you want to post to the Blog.
• If you make a mistake, go to the orange B at the top left side of the Blog, and click, or click on 'dashboard' at the top right of the Blog, and then click on 'manage posts'. You can then edit any post that YOU have written (not anyone else's post).
• To make a comment on someone else's review, go to the bottom of the post and click on the word 'comment'. You will then see a pop-up screen come on that allows you to write your comment.
• In all cases, you have to hit 'publish' to actually have your posts appear on the Blog.

Read through the homework assignment at the side of the page. You can get to the Hotlist by scrolling farther down the page to 'Hotlists'. Don't forget that you can contact me in person (in my office), by phone (630 801-7900 x 4128) or via email. Use the gmail address if it's outside of the regular class day. I will send you an invitation to join the Blog this afternoon to the email address you have given me. If you don't get it today, send me an email and I will re-send the invitation.

Choose two of the search engines to review, and make comments on the reviews of at least 2 others. At the next session, we'll go over the search engines that you posted on this Blog. And for those ambitious people who took the challenge list...there is such a thing as a free lunch. One of you will win that lunch at Subway. If you decide you want to do the challenge, stop up to see me and I'll give you the list.

I hope you start to use some of the tools I gave you and that you find your searches to be a lot easier using those tools. Good luck!

Judith Sotir

Web Directory and Search Engine: Search Turtle

URL: http://www.searchturtle.com/

Type: Web Directory & Search Engine

Info: The Search Turtle Web Directory is an original website directory offering links to websites that have passed very demanding submission guidelines.

Special Features:

• Web Portal


• Websites with meaningful content


• Rigorous standards for inclusion


• Top quality and spam-free websites


• Human edited


• Updated daily

Review: Turtle uses 16 main categories with several subcategories under each to refine the search process. Since there are high standards for including websites, this is an excellent source of information. There is also an advanced search site that will let you specify the number of results you wish and then lets you search by keywords, phrase, AND connectors and OR connectors.

Uses: I used this site to find shopping information to purchase a new TV, some freeware photos for a project, information on Colleges and Universities and to research auto safety information.

Rating: @@@@

Reviewed by: J. Sotir