1.01- Understand Internet search tools and methods.

How big is the World Wide Web? No one really knows, but we do know that we rely upon search tools to help us find information on the Web. 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools

Two Categories of Search Tools Search Engines Individual search engine Meta-search engine Subject Directories 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools

Individual Search Engines Individual search engines use computer programs called “spiders” to match key search words with the web pages that contain them. Returns a large volume of results Information is not filtered for validity, authenticity, or adult content Results are returned in the form of links to sites that match terms used in the search 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools

Take a look at search engines www.Search.yahoo.com www.Ask.com www.Google.com 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools

1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. Meta-search Engines Meta-search engines send requests for information to several search engines simultaneously and compile the results. Duplicates are eliminated, thus yielding fewer results Google Custom Search Engine allows the user to select which search engines will be used 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools

Take a look at meta-search engines http://www.googlecustomsearch.com/ http://www.mamma.com http://www.surfwax.com/ 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools

1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. Subject Directories Developed and maintained by humans to search broad subject categories and their descriptions. More reliable than search engines Provides broad categories of information that allows users to drill down and narrow search results 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools

Subject Directories (Continued) Often used in research by government agencies, medical industries, and educational institutions May be referred to as research database or searchable database Results may include non-HTML formats, such as PowerPoints, PDF documents, script, and photographs 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools

Take a look at subject directories http://www.google.com/dirhp www.libraryresearch.com http://www.eric.ed.gov/ http://dir.yahoo.com/ http://infomine.ucr.edu http://www.lii.org/ http://www.about.com/ Follow the web links 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools

What are Internet search methods? Search methods are used by search tools to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Internet searches. Search methods: Keyword Field Boolean Miscellaneous 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 Internet Search Methods

1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. Keyword Search Keying a main idea, phrase, or concept (called a search string) in the search box with or without quotation marks. Unique terms or phrases Synonyms or word variations “to be or not to be” will return results only of entire phrase Use quotation marks to identify a phrase 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 Internet Search Methods

1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. Field Field – The search is conducted for a specific title, domain, URL, or host. Useful for drilling down and focusing on specific content. Allows the user to adjust the breadth and depth of a search. 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 Internet Search Methods

1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. Boolean Logic A method used to refine a search with the use of operators with keywords: AND, OR + and – symbols Place symbol immediately before keyword Star Wars +I =Star Wars episode I 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 Internet Search Methods

Search Methods – Boolean (continued) Vacation Paris OR London OR broadens a search by including results that match either of the words Vacation Paris AND France AND narrows a search by combining terms Note: Boolean operators are often implied in a search and therefore not required by the user; however, sometimes they are very helpful in narrowing the search results. 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 Internet Search Methods

Miscellaneous Search Methods Different Language Support searches for words in different languages Spell Checker gives suggestions if the word keyed for the search is spelled incorrectly Phonebook uses phone numbers to search for locations and addresses Math/equivalents solves basic math problems and converts equivalents 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 Internet Search Methods

1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. Your time is valuable Search engines have become an important part of the online experience of Internet users. Learn to use advanced search features. Get better results in less time. 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 Internet Search Methods

1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. The End 1.01 Understand Internet search tools and methods. 1.01 - Internet Search Tools