1 using search tools on the internet they’re not all the same!
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Using Search Toolson the Internet
They’re Not All The Same!
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3 Types
The 3 main types of search tools used to find information are:
Subject Directories Search Engines Multiple Search Engines
Search Engines
Multiple Search Engines
Subject Directories
The
Web
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Subject DirectoriesAre 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.
Yahoo http://www.yahoo.com.au
Excite http://www.excite.com/SubjectMagellan http://www.mckinley.com
The Aussie Index
http://www.aussie.com.au
Examples:
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Yahoo 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)
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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
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Magellan 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
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Search Engines Are a little more complicated and are made up of
3 parts;
1. A computer program which visits a web site, reads the information and picks out key words
2. A very large list of subjects in alphabetical order, (index) which is created from the key words
3. 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.
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Search Engines
Examples:
Alta Vista http://www.altavista.com
Google http://www.google.com
Hotbot http://www.hotbot.com
Infoseek http://www.infoseek.com
Nine MSN http://search.ninemsn.com.au/
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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
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Is the BIGGEST search engine database in the world -http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Google.html (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
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NINEMSN SEARCH 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)
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Multiple Search EnginesAre 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 10-15 hits from each search engine. This means they aren’t as good for in-depth searches.
Examples:
Metacrawler http://www.metacrawler.com/index.html
Dogpile http://dogpile.com
Savvy Search http://www.savvysearch.com/
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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
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Dogpile
Queries more than 20 databases.
Has Basic and Advanced search options
Special search features include: DirectorySong and audio file, Images, Multimedia, File Search, Message Boards.
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The Last Word
Choose the Search Tool that best
meets your information needs!
Power Point by Nicole Slinger