FindForward: Google with thumbnails.
The Web search engine FindForward lets you create a custom webfeed (RSS or Atom format) based on keyword search terms. FindForward basically regurgitates Google results via Google's own API tool, so in a way this is like getting RSS feeds for Google results.So what? Well, here's how this kind of service can be useful...
For a one-time keyword search, a FindForward feed offers no benefit. However, it offers considerable potential over time if you want to keep up on new or updated Web content on specific topics. This is useful for ongoing research projects, for ego surfing, and for journalists who follow a beat or particular newsmakers.
How to do it: In order to create a custom feed from a FindForward search query, simply enter your keyword(s) and select "Get RSS" or "Get Atom" from the drop-down list. FindFoward then returns a webfeed URL which you can subscribe to in your feed reader.
The FindForward custom feed service, which draws results from Web sites, is an excellent complement to Feedster's custom search webfeeds, which draw results from other webfeeds.
(FindFoward is a search engine that bills itself as "Google with thumbnails." By that, creator Phillipp Lenssen means that FindForward results include small "snapshots" of Web pages delivered via the open-source free technology of Thumbshots.org. Here's what that looks like.)
WHY ISN'T GOOGLE DOING THIS?
Why indeed? Despite increasing popular demand and obvious revenue potential (via embedded advertising), Google continues to exhibit a baffling absence of webfeed services.
The FindForward search engine leverages Google's Web API as well as technology from thumbshots.org. It's a nifty search engine interface, provides RSS and ATOM feeds from search results, and a whole bunch of other search categories in an easy to use menu format.The search grid results are a new way of thinking about search for me - interesting.
Lots of fun ways to search here. Makes me wonder about what the future of search engines will be. When will news, email, instant messaging, web content, everything on my hard drive, and other bundles of info all be instantly searchable, and customizable to my tastes instantly and in real time?
