Searching the Internet
Advanced Internet Training

Part One

This web page is the courseware for the Advanced Internet class offered free to registered DTIC users. http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/registration/
The class focuses on the function and characteristics of the various Subject Directories and Search Engines emphasizing the importance of search strategy. Time is also spent on the significance of evaluating web pages for content and currency. The schedule of classes is listed at: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/training/schedule.html

Presented by
Internet Training Instructor, training@dtic.mil
Network Services Division
Defense Technical Information Center

Life on the Web

According to the results of a study published in the April 3, 1998 issue of Science entitled Searching the World Wide Web by S. Lawrence and C. L. Giles, the World Wide Web is estimated to contain over 320 million pages of information. As if the Web's immense size weren't enough to strike fear in the heart of all but the most intrepid surfers, consider that the Web continues to grow at an exponential rate: doubling in size every four months, according to some estimates.

Add to this, the fact that the Web lacks the bibliographic control standards we take for granted in the print world: There is no equivalent to the ISBN to uniquely identify a document; no standard system, analogous to those developed by the Library of Congress, of cataloguing or classification; no central catalogue including the Web's holdings. In fact, many, if not most, Web documents lack even the name of the author and the date of publication.

Imagine you are searching for information in the world's largest library, where the books and journals (stripped of their covers and title pages) are shelved in no particular order, and without reference to a central catalogue. A researcher's nightmare? Without question. The World Wide Web defined? Not exactly. Instead of a central catalogue, the Web offers the choice of dozens of different search tools, each with its own database, command language, search capabilities, and method of displaying results.
http://www.neci.nj.nec.com/homepages/lawrence/websize.html

Bow Tie
www.research.ibm.com/resources/news/20000511_bowtie.html

How Wide the Web?
http://websearch.about.com/library/weekly/aa070899a.htm?COB=home &terms;=how+wide±=113_300_T

Given the above scenario, the need to familiarize yourself with a variety of search tools and to develop effective search techniques is clear, if you hope to take advantage of the resources offered by the Web without spending many fruitless hours flailing about, and eventually drowning, in a sea of irrelevant information.

Let's start with Search Engines. Search Engines, like people, each have their own personality.
http://websearch.about.com/internet/websearch/library/weekly/aa052199.htm

So let's take a look at what makes them tick?

How to Use Search Engines

Web Portals

According to the Technical Glossary at geek.com http://www.geek.com the definition of a Web Portal is a large search engine site that has branched off to become a site offering a variety of services. The idea is that a Web user can view the web by using only one web site - a portal. For example, you go to a portal to do searches, get stock quotes, shop, etc. It would be your ultimate site. Each portal site wants to offer one of each of these service so that you the user never leaves their site. You will elect to 'get stuck' at their page.

Well-Known Web Portals:


Subject-Specific Search Engines

Subject-specific search engines do not attempt to index the entire Web. Instead, they focus on searching for Web sites or pages within a defined subject area, geographical area, or type of resource.


Scientific Subject Directories

A Specialized Guide or Directory compiled by a subject specialist to important resources in his or her area of expertise is more likely than a general subject directory to produce relevant information and is usually more comprehensive than a general guide.

Meta-Search Engines

The growth in the number of search engines has led to the creation if "meta" search tools, often referred to as multi-threaded search engines. These search engines allow the user to search multiple databases simultaneously, via a single interface. While they do not offer the same level of control over the search interface and search logic as do individual search engines, most of the multi-threaded engines are very fast.

Miscellaneous Search Sites

The Invisible Web

 

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Searching the Internet (Advanced)--Part Two

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training@dtic.mil
 June 2004