1. So You Think You Know How To Use The Internet?
A Tutorial for Searching the Internet
Mrs. Patricia Powell

2. Introduction
Most people think they know how to search the Internet. It’s easy, right? Just Google it! Wrong! There’s more to searching than just Google. If one wants to find specific information from reliable websites, one has to know where to search. Also one needs to know how to search efficiently and quickly. This tutorial will help! Let’s get started…

3. Just click a topic to get started!
Main Menu
Just click a topic to get started!
Search Engines
Metasearch Engines
Subject Directories
Gateways
The Invisible Web
Conducting Searches
To check out other tutorials, click HERE.
Source

4. Search Engines What are Search Engines? How do Search Engines work?
What are the limitations of Search Engines?
What are some examples of Search Engines?
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5. Metasearch Engines What is a Metasearch Engine?
When do I use a Metasearch Engine?
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6. Subject Directories What is a Subject Directory?
When do I use a Subject Directory?
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7. Tips For Conducting Searches
How do I perform a search?
The Boolean System
Search Lingo
How do I know if I am getting reliable information?
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8. Search Engines
Think of search engines as file cabinets full of files that have data in them.
Machines assemble all of the information and put that information in files.
Individual search engines compile their own databases.
Metasearch Engines search multiple individual databases.
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9. How do Search Engines work?
Search Engines use what are called “spiders” or “robots” to move through and sort information.
Search Engines make it easier to look for information.
Search Engines may not narrow down results enough if one is searching for specific information.
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10. No two Search Engines are the same.
When one performs a search, he/she will not be searching the entire Internet.
A person will be limited to searching within the confines of a particular Search Engine.
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11. What Are Some Search Engines?
Popular Search Engines include:
Google
Ask
Gigablast
Yahoo!
Graveyard Sites? What are those?
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12. Metasearch Engines
Metasearch Engines provide a good idea of what information is available for a particular search.
Metasearch Engines narrow down the list of examples.
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13. When Should I Use a Metasearch Engine?
Metasearch Engines are handy when one is in a hurry to find information and only wants a quick summary.
Examples include: Dogpile, Mamma, and Vivisimo
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14. What are Subject Directories?
Subject Directories are created and maintained by humans—not machines.
Subject Directory databases are smaller.
Most Subject Directories have partnered with Search Engines.
Information is organized with fewer results, which is good if one wants to narrow one’s search.
Be aware that sometimes there may be results which show dead links or web pages that have changed.
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15. When Should I Use a Subject Directory?
Use a Subject Directory to browse and look for popular topics or general information.
Examples: Beaucoup, Looksmart, Open Directory Project
Portals include: MSN, Netscape, and Yahoo!
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16. Gateways are collections of different databases and sites.
Gateways are put together by librarians, and are organized by subject.
If a Gateway is devoted to only one subject, it is called a Vortal.
Examples: Expedia, MonsterBoard, The Motley Fool
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17. The Invisible Web “Spiders” or “Robots” cannot index all of the Web.
Some sites are password-protected or have firewalls.
Experts say up to 80% of the Web is inaccessible.
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18. How Do I Know If Information is Reliable?
Evaluate the website.
Who is the author of the Website?
When was the last update?
Are links to information that can be verified provided?
Is there an address and or phone number for the author?
Is there a place to comment or ask questions?
Can sponsors be verified?
Is it just an advertising site? OR
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19. How Do I Perform a Search?
Is the search for specific or general information?
Use nouns as key words in searches.
Put the most important word first when searching.
Use at least three key words with a “+” sign between words.
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20. Curious George
George Boole ( ) was a mathematician who created a system of logic to aid search results for information.
Boole called his system the “Calculus of Thought.”
Boole’s idea was to aid searches with keywords.
Examples of keywords are “and,” “or,” as well as “not.”
By adding these keywords to Internet searches, one can search smarter and faster and get better results.
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21. Searching Title search--keyword
Domain search--“.edu” “.com” “.gov” “.mil” “.net” or “.org”
Host search--information from specific server
URL search--specific files on a host site
Link search--who is linking to a webpage
Image search--looking for a particular image
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22. Google provides links to pages that are related to one’s searches.
Google was created in 1998 by graduate students. Google is the largest search engine, which means one can find lots of information.
Google is user-friendly and caches searches that one has performed in the past.
Google provides links to pages that are related to one’s searches.
Google supports Boolean.
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23. Yahoo! was also created by graduate students.
Yahoo! has teamed with Google.
Yahoo! is not as user-friendly as Google.
Yahoo! supports Boolean.
Links are provided to Yahoo! News and regional Yahoo! topics.
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24. Graveyard Search Engines no longer in use:
The Internet evolves, and Search Engines evolve as well.
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25. What if I Need More Information?
Tutorials:
“Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial”
“Searching the World Wide Web”
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26. Sources
All information obtained from: All images obtained from Bing Images
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