In February 2000, a joint study published by Inktomi and the NEC Research Institute estimated that there were 1 billion pages on the Web available for indexing. (Source: Search Engine Watch) While this represents a wealth of information, it also requires powerful sorting tools to make it useful.
Search engines, meta search engines, and directories were created with this in mind. However, you must understand how these tools work to find the information you want.
Types of Tools Search engines let you use keywords to find information on the Internet. They are fed by software programs that systematically inventory the Web and index the information in databases. When a request is received, a search engine accesses the Web pages it has indexed for the specific word or phrase typed. AltaVista* is an example of a search engine.
Meta search engines employ multiple search engines simultaneously and display consolidated results. Dogpile* is an example of a meta search engine.
Directories are structured collections of sites organized by reviewers and information specialists, many of whom have library training. As new sites are added, they are assigned an appropriate category or categories based on subject. Yahoo!* is an example of a directory.
Information in directories is found by proceeding from main categories through increasingly specific subcategories. For example you might start with "education" and move through "K-12" to "science" to "oceanography." Most directories also allow you to initiate a search by key phrase. For example, typing "differential equations" would lead you directly to the sub-category and specific related links.
Choosing the Right Tool Search engines and meta search engines are most effective when you seek very specific information and know the appropriate key words. Directories lend themselves to instances when you need to explore a subject. You can also use the process of progressing through a directory structure as a logical way to narrow your topic.
Note that even the most comprehensive search tool indexes only about half of the available Web pages. Therefore, if you do not find what you want initially, first try modifying your search then consider using another search engine or directory. Since each search tool has its own purpose and methods, it is often worthwhile to read the site's "About" or "Help" section, to find out which tool meets your needs.
External Links
Search Engines
All the Web, All the Time* Rated by Search Engine Watch as one of the top search engines in terms of percentage of the Web indexed. No advertising on search pages.
Go.com*
Returns both topic categories and links to relevant sites.
Google* Results are ordered so that the most relevant links appear first (as determined by the number of other Web pages that link to it). No advertising on search pages.
Student-Friendly Search Engines
Ask Jeeves for Kids* Children type in a question for Jeeves to answer. Presented in an easy-to-use format that appeals to younger students. A built-in spell-checker helps bypass snags—like looking for Pludo instead of Pluto.
Scholastic Web Guide* An annotated index of thousands of selected educational sites deemed to be appropriate for K-8 students by teachers.
Searchopolis* A filtered search engine, easy-to-use and fast. Organized by subject categories, the site also offers access to reference materials such as a dictionary, a thesaurus, and an encyclopedia. Allows you to search Microsoft Encarta* directly.
Student-Friendly Directories
Bigchalk.com* Organized according to subject area with more than 75,000 links, all carefully screened and evaluated. Allows you to search so that results are appropriate for a certain age group (kids, teens, college and beyond).
KidsClick!* Developed by librarians, this site has limited content but no advertising and a unique feature: Results can be organized by grade level.
Yahooligans!* A scaled-down version of Yahoo!, with restricted options and streamlined categories appropriate for kids.
Search Tips and Search Engine Reviews
FINDSPOT* "FINDSPOT is a collection of the best search tools on the Internet combined with the help and tips you need to use them successfully." (Source: FINDSPOT)
Search Engine Watch* An extensive site that includes search engine submission tips; Web searching tips; search engine listings; reviews, ratings, and tests; search engine resources; and search engine news.
