Google, Yahoo! and More… Internet and Searching Basics

What is the Internet? Definition A global collection of computer networks linked by telephone, cable, satellites and wireless connections. Uses Communicating with friends and family Shopping Paying bills Finding news and information Unavailable (for free) on the Internet Most full-text magazine and newspaper articles Copyrighted information

Web What? World Wide Web – a service that enables websites and pages to be available over the internet. Web page – a single document or page on the world wide web. Website – a group of related web pages with a common address.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) Definition The address that connects you with a website. Parts of the URL protocol called Hypertext Transfer Protocol www = World Wide Web deerfieldlibrary= domain name.org= domain type Domain Types.com= commercial.org = generally nonprofit organizations.edu = higher education.gov = U.S. government agency.fr= France (websites originating in other countries often have an ending that corresponds to the country.)

Links (Hyperlinks) Definition Shortcuts to another web page. Types of Links Hyperlink/link Button Dropdown menu

Browser Definition A software program that allows you to access the Internet. Software Programs Internet Explorer or IE (Microsoft) Safari (Mac) Firefox/Mozilla Chrome (Google) Opera Just to name a few!

Parts of a Browser Menu Bar – a way to give the browser commands. Title Bar – displays the name of the current web page and browser. Minimize Button – makes the window smaller and sends it below the status bar while keeping window open. Restore Button – returns the window to its previous size. Status Bar – displays the current state of the web page. Scroll Bar – moves the web page up and down. Close Button – closes the program.

Parts of a Browser Address/URL Bar – displays the address of the open web page. Stop Button– stops the web page from loading or opening. Back & Forward Buttons – Back Button points left and brings you to the last page visited. Forward Button points right and brings you to the previous screen. Refresh Button – reloads a web page. Home Button – The main page of the website.

Search Engine Definition A website that indexes billions of pages and sites on the world wide web. Examples largest a Directory – organizes by subject known for images and translations Microsoft product a metasearch engine Just to name a few!

How to Search Search Box Easy but returns LOTS of results!

Modifying Results Boolean Operators Definition: A way of combining words to make your search more specific. AND OR NOT

AND + will narrow by specifying that ALL words must be present in the search results. France +travel

OR OR will broaden by specifying that EITHER word must be present in the search results. France OR travel

NOT - will narrow by specifying that ONE word must be excluded in the search results. France -travel

Modifying Results Quotation marks “ ” Creates a phrase search with the exact words in the exact order. Advanced Search Google, Altavista and Dogpile and other true search engines allow you to use parameters to help adjust your search.

Evaluating Websites 1.Accuracy Who wrote the page? Can you contact them? What is the purpose or why was it created? 2.Authority What credentials are listed for the author(s)? What institution publishes this? Check the domain. 3.Objectivity How detailed is the information? Why was this site created? Does the information show a minimum of bias?

Evaluating Websites 4.Currency When was it created? When was it last updated? Are the links current and live? 5.Coverage What is the intrinsic value of the information? Is the material in-depth? Is the information provided cited? Is the information free?

Further Resources Encyclopedias of Terminology PC Magazine UC Berkeley Library Tutorials and Further Information New User Tutorial Stanford University Libraries Subject Directories Internet Public Library 2 About.com

Topic Suggestions Spring session is… Goodbye Snail Mail – Hello, ! March 113:00-4:00 pm Suggestions for Summer? Mouse skills Basic Computer Intro Social Networks

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