The Web is an unending library where all the information you could ever want is available, except there's no organization system and therefore no way to find anything. Unlike regular libraries, there is no Dewey Decimal System or Library of Congress cataloging standards to ensure that you can find the URLs you're looking for in the system. Fortunately, there are tools, called search engines, available on the Web to help you find the information most relevant to your needs.
A variety of search engines are available to use while you're searching the Web. Most of the search engine interfaces are comprised of similar components, which vary slightly in name and functionality. Choosing the best search engine to use depends on the kind of information you are seeking. Therefore, to make your searches successful without wasting a lot of time, it is important to become familiar with a number of search techniques, as well as a few of the available search engines. In this module you will be able to practice using the search engines: AltaVista and Yahoo.
During these procedures you will need to access Websites outside of this server. Therefore, for easier navigation,, we advise you to bookmark this page.
In this procedure you will see a step by step process of doing a search of Web pages on AltaVista. You will also see the effects of narrowing a search by adding more search terms.
After learning to use AltaVista to search the Web, in this next procedure you will use AltaVista to search for newsgroup postings.
Another popular search engine is Yahoo, in this procedures you will see the hierarchical nature of Yahoo as well as using it to conduct a search.
Below are some useful links to Web sites containing further information about searching the Web.
Blue
Webn'
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn
Pacific Bell's Education First Initiative has put together this
amazing database of K-14 educational Websites categorized by lessons,
activities, references, resources, and tools.
College
of Ed Web Links
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/links/index.html
A collection of educational resource sites organized by the SDSU
College of Ed.
Debbie
Abilock's "Choose the Best Engine for Your Purpose"
http://www.nueva.pvt.k12.ca.us/~debbie/library/research/adviceengine.html
A handy advice page for which is the best search engine to choose for
different searches.
Finding
Things on the Internet
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/edfirst/Searching/find.htm
A Pacific Bell's Education First Initiative introduction to searching
the Internet.
Learning
More about Search Engines and Subject Directories:
FAQs
http://www.etc.bc.ca/tdebhome/searching_faqs.html
A database of Frequently Asked Questions and responses to searching
the Internet.
Surf,
Stumble, Search, and Lurch
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/EDTEC572/search.html
A quick overview on searching the Internet. Includes activities and
resources.
The World Wide Web can be extremely overwhelming with its vast amount of information. Finding the information you are looking for can be frustrating and time consuming if you aren't familiar with search engines. AltaVista and Yahoo are two of the most popular search engines on the Web and provide very easy platforms to begin your search queries.