Search tool providing optional use of human search guides

A method, comprising:

• allowing a user to enter a query;
• and
• initiating an automated search using the query, where an option to select a human assisted search for the query is offered after the automated search on said query has been performed.

A method of searching, comprising:

• submitting a query to a human guide to conduct a search for a user requesting assistance with the search;
• and
• enabling the user to initiate the search without assistance of the human guide when the user does not request assistance with the search.

A method of providing optional use of a human guide for a search, comprising:

• determining whether a query is requested to be submitted to the human guide;
• and
• generating a first result based on a real-time search conducted by the human guide or a second result based on stored information in accordance with said determining.

A method of submitting a query, comprising:

• providing selectable options for submitting a query;
• and
• directing the query to a human guide for a search upon selection of a first of the selectable options and executing the search without requiring the human guide upon selection of a second of the selectable options.

An interface, comprising:

• a query field for entering a query to be searched;
• and
• a selection control indicating whether the query is to be searched by one of a human or automatically.

A system, comprising:

• a user machine allowing a user to enter a query and select one of an automated and human assisted search;
• and
• a system initiating a search responsive to the selection.

A method, comprising:

• allowing a user to enter a query and select between a human assisted search, an automated search and both the human assisted search and the automated search;
• and
• initiating a search responsive to the selection.

A search apparatus for providing optional use of human search guides, comprising:

• a storage device maintaining a record of default or previously used resources in association with a keyword and at least one resource selected by a system administrator, said maintaining including resources used and selected by human search guides;
• a user device providing a first option for submitting a request to one or more of the human search guides and a second option for initiating a search without said submitting;
• a server processing the search request using the recorded default or previously used resources based on a keyword of the search request and without said submitting, where the user device enables resubmission of the search request using the first option when the second option is initially selected.

A search method, comprising:

• receiving a query;
• and
• providing a first option of submitting the query to request a human guide assistance for a search and a second option of conducting the search without requesting said human guide assistance.

A method, comprising:

• receiving a query for a search;
• and
• returning results from information maintained by at least one search engine upon determining that a user has selected an automated search from selectable search options including a human guide assistance for the search.

A method, comprising:

• allowing a user to enter a query in an interface linked to a first destination;
• and
• redirecting the query to a second destination when designated by the user.