Cutting Through the Clutter Searching the Web

There is a wealth of information waiting for you on the internet, if you know the right tools to use and the right way to use them. A common problem is finding too much information….lots of “stuff”, just not the specific “stuff” you need.

Understanding the Need for Search Tools No card catalog for the web 11 billion pages on the web Search engines do not index the entire web Google indexes approximately 8,000,000,000 pages We need multiple tools in order to be successful searching the web

Comparing Directories to Search Engines Google is a search engine Yahoo is a search directory

Web Directories Defined Contain a set of hierarchal menus Categorized by webmasters or directory staff. Sometimes staff are subject experts; sometimes not. Best for browsing purposes but can be searched. Require significant human effort to develop and maintain. Examples of popular directory The value of directories: 1. limited peer review 2. serendipitous discovery while browsing through categories.

Search Engines Defined Automated programs, called robots, spiders, search the web 24/7and index web sites. Some index words in the title, URL, introductory paragraphs, or full- text of all documents on a web site. Some use a combination of these words and phrases, all of which are entered into the search engine's database. The "spiders" search in different ways - and different parts of the Internet. The same search with different engines will yield different results. Most popular search engine is The value of search engines: 1. BIG! 2. full-text searching.

Using a Meta Searcher Meta searcher searches the big engines and directories Dogpile is a metasearch site — it searches multiple engines, filters for duplicates, and then presents the results to the user. Dogpile uses multiple popular search engines, as well as sponsored links.

Using a Meta Searcher Clusty Clusty is a clustering search engine using innovative software to access and cluster the world's information for better search and discovery. Does not search Google

Understanding the Benefits of Using Google Size of the database searched is approximately 5 billion pages Clean interface “No advertisements” Does not take payment for placement Placement is based on the # of web sites that link to the web site.

Understanding When Not to use Google Multimedia Invisible web Audio files

What is the Invisible Web The invisible web can not be searched by search engines Pages in the invisible web are behind a data base

Using Beaucoup to Search the Invisible Web Beaucoup helps you find information not usually searchable in the standard way Beaucoup is not a search engine it is a connection to other search sites

Finding Specialized Info with Fagan Finder Use Fagan Finder for specialized searchesFagan Finder Fagan Finder’s goal is to help people find what they are looking for.

Making the Most of Google Searches

Putting the search criteria in the Right Place Do not put text in address box Average person looks at 3 pages of the listings.

Using the Basic Google Interface Search Box Search Options (hyperlinks)

Using Google Preferences Set the preferences (right side of search box)

Google’s “I’m Feeling Lucky” button Excludes all but the top search site Use when you are very sure of the search results

Five Tip for Refining Your Searches 1. Be specific 2. Use quotes “0” to search phrases 3. Use “0” + “0” sign to include 4. Use “0” – “0” sign to exclude 5. Combine symbols often

Refining a Search with Quotes Compare searches with the without quotes “African Elephants”

Refining a Google Search with Specific Words the more you refine your search the better the results Enter “How many buffalo are in the United States?” Enter again using “buffalo herd” “united states” current number

Using Synonyms in Searches Try bison and buffalo in search

Using Symbols (-) Using the – sign to improve search results

Using Symbols Using OR to enhance searches “capital punishment” OR “death penalty” + “minnesota”

Using Symbols Using Google’s wildcard feature Google has automatic stemming it will add endings to words the * is a wild card as in Three * Mice Now try three * mice blind

Using the search tab in Google Web Images, Groups (user groups) Directories (similar to Yahoo) New 4,500 current news sites

Using Google’s Advanced Search Page Planets lesson plans moons earth

Extreme Google Searching

Using Google’s Calculator Function * multiply 100 miles in kilometers 185 pounds in kilograms

Using the Auto Synonym Finder in Google ~ before the word Try ~infant (synonym in bold)

Using Google’s Phonebook Function reverse lookup type in number type in name and city/state type b phone: (business phone yellow pages)

Using Google’s Travel and Mapping Function type address United 11 msp airport