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Internet Searching
Using Search Tools
Internet Sites by Subject
Reference Sites
Internet Searching
The Internet is a worldwide system of INTERconnected computer NETworks,
which links users around the world. The Internet provides access through a
variety of of services and tools, which include:
- World Wide Web
- Electronic mail - sending typed messages
from one computer to another.
- News - electronic discussion
groups and chat facilities.
The World Wide Web
The World Wide Web (WWW, W3 or 'the Web') refers to the huge number of
computer files (webpages) on the Internet that
are shared using the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (http). Hypertext links
allow the user to jump from one page to another or between different parts
of the same webpage. Links can also be made to sounds, pictures and movies.
It is this ability to link things together that gave rise to the name 'the
Web.'
An URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
An URL (often pronoounced 'erl')
is the address of a webpage or a website (a group of pages). It indicates
the computer on the Internet where the webpage is stored. URLs have defined
parts, like a street address. The standard form is: protocol://server.name.domain.country
- Protocol:
http (for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)
- Server:
usually 'www'
- Name:
usually the name of an institution, group or company
- Domain: three letter code for the
type of institution, group or company.
The most common codes are:
.com
(commercial
.gov (government)
.org (non-profit organisation)
.edu (educational institution)
- Country: two letter code for countries
outside the USA.
Australia's
code is 'au.'
Browser
A browser is a piece of software that allows access to the web. It sends
requests to web servers (computers storing webpages)
and then displays the information on the computer screen. The most common
browsers are Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer.
Search engines help to find the webpages and
sites on a particular topic. A search engine works in a similar way to a
library catalogue. It aims to list the contents of the World Wide Web, and
in some cases categorises websites into broad subject groupings. Each
search engine is in itself a website and has its own URL.
We have listed some of the most commonly used search
engines and their addresses, but these are just a few of the many
available.
Internet Searching
The Internet offers access to much useful information, but finding what is
relevant to your needs can sometimes be difficult. There are different ways
to search the Internet. Decide which of the following will be most useful
to you.
1. If you are looking for a particular
website, try a search engine such as Alta
Vista or Google. For Australian
sites try a local search engine such as Web Wombat.
2. If you are looking for
information on a specific subject, such as the writer, Stephen King, you
could use a meta search engine like Vivisimo. This will explore the Internet using
different search engines and list the results for each one. If you get too
many results this way, you could use a subject directory instead.
3. Subject directories, such
as Yahoo, will list sites on particular
topics. As an example, to find information on Java programming, follow the
links from Computers and Internet>Programming languages>Java.
Back to Top
Using Internet Search Tools
(Types of Internet Search Tools)
Search engines
Search engines use computer programs to search the Internet and gather
information, which is compiled in the search engine's database. Some search
engines index the full text of each page, but most just index keywords,
title and the first few lines of text.
Examples of search engines are Alta
Vista, Excite, Infoseek, Hot Bot, Web Wombat, Northern Light and Google.
For searches on Australian topics, choose an Australian search engine.
Examples of Australian search engines are Goeureka
and Web Wombat.
There is also a local search engine for information about Melbourne, melbournestar.
Most search engines have an advanced search facility, which will allow you
to look for more specific types of material, refine your search, limit by
date, language etc.
Remember that all search engines are different, so check out their help
screens to find out the best way to use them. Try out a variety of search
engines to find the one you like the best.
Meta Search Engines
Meta search engines use a number of different individual search engines to
conduct a search using the combined resources of these search engines to
produce a list of search results. This can be a good way to start your
search as it removes the need to conduct the same search on a number of
individual search engines.
Some searches may produce a number of irrelevant material
as it is not possible to use the advanced search feature of individual
search engines.
Examples of multi search engines are Ixquick, Metacrawler and Vivisimo.
Subject Directories
Subject Directories are web databases which are organised into categories that
are broad to begin with and become more specific as the user advances
through them by following the hyperlinks.
Subject directories do not index nearly as many webpages
as search engines, but are good places to start if you are looking for a
few relevant sites on a topic. Many subject guides also include a search
facility.
Examples of subject guides or directories can be found at Yahoo!, and for Australian content, the Kangaroo Jumpsite.
Portals
Web portal is a term used to describe popular sites such as My Netscape, Alta Vista, Ninemsn and Yahoo, which many people use as a starting
point for their web surfing. Some of these sites began as search engines or
directories but now offer a much broader range of services such as email,
shopping, customised news and financial information.
Locally, Vicnet
is a portal, and a good starting place to find out information about Victoria.
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