Searching the Internet

[ Overviews | Search Engines: Which One? | Lotsa Search Engines |
Recommended | Tips | Activities/Tutorials | Becoming an Expert ]

Wordy, nerdy overviews

• Things to Know Before You Begin Searching the WWW from UC Berkeley, California.
• Search Engine Watch: guide to all things regarding search engines.
• Web Search Strategies from Finding It Online.

Search Engines: deciding which one to use

• Choose the Best Search for Your Information Need by Debbie Abilock. This page will help you decide based on the type of information you are seeking.
• Best Search Engines Quick Guide from InfoPeople.
• Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators: Search Engines, Metasearch Engines, and the Invisible Web

Lotsa Search Engines

• Finding Data on the Internet is a manageable guide from RobertNiles.com.
  
• Search Engines Worldwide from SearchEngineWatch
• Guide to Using Search Engines from the BBC h2g2 wiki.

Recommended

• Blue Web'n educational sites sorted by grade level, Dewey Decimal, and application type from the AT&T Knowledge Network Explorer.
• Librarians' Index to the Internet is a well-maintained, stable site created and maintained by librarians.
• About.com seems to have something on everything.

Tips

Every search engine has information about using their engine effectively. Take a look at the tips they provide for best results. In addition, here are some general guidelines from various sources on the net:

• Help and Tutorials from DMOZ Open Directory Project.
• Four Nets for Better Searching from Professor Bernie Dodge, San Diego State University.
• Web Searching from the Internet Public Library

Activities/Tutorials

• Learn the Net an interactive search engine tutorial (See also How Search Engines Work)
• Search Engine Tutorial from Pandia
• A list of tutorials, Internet Tutorials Bookmarks, from the Maine State Library

Becoming an Expert

Besides the obvious, practice, there are ways to become a search expert, or at least proficient. Each major search engine has its own help section and often includes an advanced search tool to help you fine tune your search.

There are special groups and forums which are used as a means for people with similar interests to communicate over computers. There are also similar groups called "listservs" which use electronic mail (e-mail) to discuss their special interests. There are directories for locating usergroups, and Listservs. Once you find one you like, you can lurk and see where others are getting their web-based information, or ask your own personal questions. In addition, many professional organizations now have a webpage. Usually they will list what they consider "good links" on their subject.

As in all things, if you are in a hurry, you can never find what you need. As your expertise in searching grows, you will begin to develop your own set of useful bookmarks which will make your job easier. Take your time and Good Luck

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