In prior columns, I've discussed how to search, developing search tools, and what to plug into search engines. However, in order to have a sucessful search, you must have a place to search from. Not particularily a fan of high volume searches, I like to get this done in the shortest amount of time possible, with the most pertinent websites available.

36% of searchers took two hours to search a single term last year, while over 86% of those polled said searches could be easier. So without further delay, I offer my top internet resources for a sucessful search:

The search engine: Obviously the focal point of any search, the search engine is your first line in finding anything on the internet. My top picks are:

• 7Search.com. I've used this search engine for years. One of the first pay per click search engines, this 27 year old company combines the spread of a meta-search engine, balanced with pay for bid results that run side by side. I don't seem to remember a time it has returned over 80 results, despite the simplicity of the term used. Check it out:

They also have a great search tool that integrates with your IE browser; click here for more information.

• All the web. This company just recently took the crown from Google and has over 2.1 billion pages indexed. Other niceties include: Customized look and feel options remember who you are and what settings you prefer every time you return, ability to search by file type, e.g. MP3, Image, Videos, and News. Recently added is the ability to search Macromedia Flash and Shockwave sites, which is a welcome relief to searchers everywhere. Just about every feature you'd expect from your run of the mill 2.1 billion indexing mega site, and a few more:

Your search speed. Nothing is worse than a slow dialup connection and wading through pages trying to find that site you needed to finish that report that's due tomorrow. Even if you have broad band connection, you can always use a faster connection. Try these on for size:

• MarketScore: Using network and compression technologies, this company collects limited information about your searching habits. In return, you get faster connection speeds. AOL members will note an appreciable difference in the way their service loads, as the servers and compression scheme was made with those folks in mind. Give them a shot, it's free:

• Webcelerator: Actual software for your computer, this program takes advantage of your hard drive cache ability, bandwidth detection, and modem settings to speed up your browser experience. It also enables you to browse offline any page that you've been to. Check it out here:

Finally, when all else fails, find someone else to do your dirty work. Hey, not everyone has time to search.

• Ask The Village Idiot: Outlines the "best of the web" in the top categories searched. Offers free internet searches for small projects, with fees for larger, more involved research issues. Yes, it's my website, but check it out anyway: