Internet Search Tips

The Internet is great source for information; however, finding that Information sometimes is like looking for a contact in a shag carpet. The following are some tips that can help you search more efficiently.

General Suggestions:

1. Before jumping on the information highway, take about 10 minutes to brainstorm about what you are searching for.
2. To avoid information overload, be specific in your search phrase by using at least 2 to 3 words to narrow your search. Contrary to what most people do, you should try to be specific first then broaden your search pattern.
3. Don't get distracted! I know there is so much information, but to avoid loosing track of your search goal – try bookmarking sites to check out later.

Search Engines:
Remember that at most any one search engine only indexes about 34% of the web and when there are 320 million+ indexable pages (Science magazine, April 1998) – no one engine can provide an all-encompassing search. Two of my favorites are Alta Vista (http://www.altavista.digital.com) and Northern Light (http://www.northernlight.com).

Search Phrasing:
Boolean logic/operators and wildcards all help you narrow your search and prevent information overload.

Boolean logic/operators:
AND/+/& : two or more words specified must be contained in pages found.
OR/| : either words specified must be contained in pages found.
NOT/-/AND NOT : excludes word after operator from pages found.
NEAR#/N# : replace # with numeral indicating number of words between search terms; i.e., desktop N3 publishing would provide pages that have the two terms within 3 words of each other.
WITHIN#/W# : same as above, but pages found will only have second term appearing after first term.
" " – quote marks allow you to specify an exact phrase to search for.

Wildcards:
* or ? are used when you want variations in your search term, i.e., garden* would find garden, gardeners, gardening, etc.

To find an image – image:(search word) *you can also include the type of image you are search for, i.e., image:Seattle.jpg

To find a sound – sound:(search word)