1. Using Search Tools on the Internet
They’re Not All
The Same!

2. 3 Types The 3 main types of search tools used to find information are:
Subject Directories
Search Engines
Multiple Search Engines
The
Web

3. Subject Directories
Are produced by humans who have reviewed a web site and allocated a subject to that particular web site.
The web site’s detail, including it’s address are then organized under these subjects categories.
Examples:
Yahoo
Excite
Magellan
The Aussie Index

4. Yahoo Functions more as a directory
Human selection – not all inclusive
Functions more as a directory
Sparse abstracts (descriptions of web sites)
Updating is slow
Boolean operators (AND, OR)
Yahooligans (for kids)
Web tutorials (self guided learning)

5. Excite
Limited database
Intelligent searches i.e. related/synonymous terms: e.g. elderly people, senior citizens (Concept search)
Content type selection: current news, Excite Germany
Boolean operators: limited - AND, NOT, OR

6. Magellan Indicator if suitable for kids, (net nanny) Human selection
Site easy to navigate
Abstracts are actually reviews of entire site
Aims to provide thought provoking, current, in depth information
Indicator if suitable for kids, (net nanny)
Greenlight sites: no content for mature audiences
Boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT, NEAR, WITH, ADJACENT

7. Are a little more complicated and are made up of
Search Engines
Are a little more complicated and are made up of
3 parts;
A computer program which visits a web site, reads the information and picks out key words
A very large list of subjects in alphabetical order, (index) which is created from the key words
The search part of the program which looks at your search term and and then checks your word with the list and reports back to you.

8. Search Engines Examples: Alta Vista http://www.altavista.com Google
Hotbot
Infoseek
Nine MSN

9. Alta Vista
Automatic indexing of every word on every page – high recall/ low relevance.
No selection criteria for sites
Abstract is first 25 words on the first page
Ask Alta Vista a question
Limited use of Boolean operators to refine search – use of +, -, *, AND, OR, NOT, NEAR
Basic, advanced searches, refine, FAQ’s

10. Google
Is the BIGGEST search engine database in the world - (Updated 5 Sept, 2002)
AND is always the default between terms
Limited Boolean search terms – OR
Google lets you search full text of most PDF files (Personal Document Files) on the web
Lots of "stop words" which you have to precede with a + to search or search in quotes.
Offers Advanced Search
Special features include, Google Image Search, Google News, Google Special Searches, Google University Search

11. NINEMSN SEARCH Results come from Looksmart Australia and Inktomi
An Australian Search Engine
Results come from Looksmart Australia and Inktomi
Is linked to ninemsn, which is Australia's number-one website
Can download their free filter (net nanny)

12. Multiple Search Engines
Are able to search using a keyword you type in, across a number of already existing search engines and subject directories, therefore a much wider search is carried out.
They only use the top hits from each search engine. This means they aren’t as good for in-depth searches.
Examples:
Metacrawler
Dogpile
Savvy Search

13. Metacrawler Can choose to search by “any’, “all” or “phrase”
Queries nine different engines.
Can limit by geographic region and type of site - (edu, gov, etc).
Has Basic and Advanced search options
Special search features include: Song and audio file, Images, Multimedia, Message Boards, News, Shopping, Search by Country

14. Dogpile Has Basic and Advanced search options
Queries more than 20 databases.
Has Basic and Advanced search options
Special search features include: Directory Song and audio file, Images, Multimedia, File Search, Message Boards.

15. Choose the Search Tool that best meets your information needs!
The Last Word
Choose the Search Tool that best meets your information needs!
Power Point by Nicole Slinger