Track the virus
Where to find it: Google Flu Trends
– www.google.org/flutrends
Who runs the site: Most people know about Google, the search
engine and Gmail and some people even have the new G-phone, but
founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin also run Google.org. The site
is used to promote philanthropy and sometimes to promote for-profit
endeavors that have positive outcomes such as renewable energy
technologies.
Track the virus
Where to find it: Google Flu Trends – www.google.org/flutrends
Who runs the site: Most people know about Google, the search engine and Gmail and some people even have the new G-phone, but founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin also run Google.org. The site is used to promote philanthropy and sometimes to promote for-profit endeavors that have positive outcomes such as renewable energy technologies.
Who is likely to use the site: People who want to avoid the flu, or those who are just interested in flu trends for the last few years and want to see where it has hit in their communities.
Pros: While there are other pages on the google.org site, the flu trends is one page that has a lot of important information. There is a search engine where people can look for places to get the flu vaccination in their communities. A search takes users to another site that lists places locally where they can get the vaccine.
More interesting is the United States flu activity graph that shows when flu cases have peaked in past years and how they are doing so far this year. Cases are just starting an upswing in November and the lines for past years show cases usually peak in February. One of the coolest things about the site is that they use Web search traffic to estimate flu activity – according to the site, the data can estimate flu activity in a state up to two weeks faster than traditional systems.
From the page, users can also find a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that offers advice on how to avoid the flu, as well as how to care for someone who has it.
Cons: The site is simple enough, and focused enough, that there really isn’t anything to complain about on it.
