The Quest For Information

Web-Based Learning: The Quest for Information
Are you Hunting or Browsing?

Defining the Terms

Search Engine: A web page that contains an interactive form which allows you to work with a database of information. The database responds to your request by listing sites which match your search criteria. The database of a search engine is created by spiders (also known as crawlers or robots). A spider is a software program which scouts the internet looking for new web sites. Spiders typically index the URL, title and header sections of a web page.

Use a search engine when hunting for specifics or the proverbial needle in the haystack.
Alta Vista is an example of a search engine with 140 million indexed pages. It is refreshed every 28 days.

Search Directory: A web page that contains lists of web sites covering several categories. Search directories are managed and organized by people. They are great for finding websites relating to specific topics. Directories typically arrange resources by subject.

Use a search directory when browsing for information. Browsing involves looking for a general area of interest and then narrowing the focus based upon what catches your eye.
Yahoo is an example of a search directory. At the present time it contains 750,000 listings.

Other Examples of Search Engines:

Excite - both an engine and directory has 50 million indexed pages and 140,000 listings
HotBot - reindexes 54 million web pages every two weeks
InfoSeek - blend of an engine, directory and news service includes 60 million web pages
Lycos - both an engine and directory with 30 million indexed pages

Other Examples of Directories:

Magellan - includes a 50 million page database and 60,000 websites chosen and reviewed by experts
About.com - Includes a directory of over 500 subjects

Kid Friendly Search Engines/Directories

MetaSearch Engines are search tools that let you use several search engines to track down information.

The Dog PILE -
MAMMA - The mother of all search engines!

Some Helpful Tips...

1. Read the instructions

2. Make your keywords specific

For example, input "drag racing" or "stock car racing" as opposed to "auto racing"

3. Use AND, OR, NOT, +, -, " " , *

These are connectors or operatives that make the keyword request more specific.

mustang AND convertible AND 1965 connects the three words in the search
mustang NOT horses AND convertible connects mustang and convertible but excludes any pages that include horses
"Randy Hanson works in an office." would list web pages that include the exact phrase within the quotations.
+ = AND - = NOT
* Use the asterisk as a wild card
- Used at the end of a word, the asterisk (*) is like a wild card and can replace up to 5 characters. It allows you to broaden your search by including plurals, adjectives and adverbs.
- For example: typing french english translat* will retrieve documents with the words french, english and translate, translation, translator and so on.

4. Don't bother with "natural language" queries.

What is a natural language query anyway?
- Searching using sentences or questions.
Why shouldn't we use natural language?
- Keyword searching is faster.

5. Use more than one search engine/directory.

References

Williams, Brian and Sawyer, Stacey and Hutchinson, Sarah. Using Information Technology: A Practical Introduction to Computers and Communications. NewYork: McGraw Hill Publishing, 1998. p. 135.