Internet Search Tools Explained
DIRECTORIES AND SUBJECT LISTS are directly linked to Web and other Internet sites, sometimes providing and engine to search each subject category. Their advantage lies in the selectivity of sites deemed most useful and permanent.META INDEXES are utilities that initiate searching in several engines at once and can integrate the results. Since engines seldom produce identical results, this approach is advantageous for a comprehensive search.
SEARCH ENGINES allow subject searching of many Internet sites. Engines search a database of Web and other Internet entities for headings, text, and tags that have been created through the use of robots (aka spiders, crawlers) continually cruising the Web.
The sites below offer tips on how to better utilize specific tools with recommendations about which tools to use and links to them.
Internet Search Tools
Adobe PDF Search - As its name implies, this engine searches only PDF document files, often overlooked by other engines.
AllThe Web - This engine is fast and large.
Alta Vista - This highly-rated engine offers advanced searching capabilities such as Boolean logic, search string nesting and truncation.
Excite is a directory similar to Yahoo (below). The Advanced Search provides a form for better defining a request.
Google is the favorite of expert searchers. The advanced search page includes separate search procedures for images and for pages that are similar to one for which you have a Web address.
Teoma - Another favorite of expert searchers.
Vivisimo a meta search engine that places results into folders in a way similar to the formerly free Web engine, Northern LIght.
WiseNut - The preview option loads a page from the results into the results page itself.
Yahoo The grand daddy of directories and one of the most complete. It allows searching within a category or of Yahoo generally.
Internet Tips
Bare Bones 101: A Basic Tutorial on Searching the Web was created by Ellen Chamberlain, Head Librarian at the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus. It contains twenty short easily-understood lessons, eight of which are on specific popular search tools.FINDSPOT provides tips on using various tools, some of which are listed below. Searches may be initiated from this site.
Finding Information on the Internet - A comprehensive tutorial from the UC Berkely Library. Includes information about the Internet itself.
Search Engine Tutorials - "Links to tutorials" (including their own) from Search Engine Watch.