Search Engines
Search engines are web sites that use powerful indexes to locate web sites
that contain information that you request. You simply enter some type of search
criteria and give the command to search. If web sites are located that contain
information on the topic you requested, a list of those sites will be returned. This
is much the same using search criteria to search and locate information in a
database.
A list of some popular search engines that you might want to try is shown
below, along with their web addresses. Use any of these, or your own special
search techniques to locate information that will be helpful to you.
Altavista
URL: www.altavista.com
Yahoo
URL: www.yahoo.com
Yahooligan For Kids
URL: www.yahooligans.com
Dogpile
URL: www.dogpile.com
Infoseek
URL: www.infoseek.com
Lycos
URL: www.lycos.com
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Search Engines
Google
URL: www.google.com
Webcrawler
URL: www.webcrawler.com
Ask Jeeves
URL: http://www.ask.com
Using a search engine is really quite easy. If you follow the steps below, you
should be able to get to and use a search engine without too much difficulty.
1. From your desktop, double-click on the icon for your Internet browser, which is
Netscape Communicator (or Explorer).
2. When the browser loads, you will then have to logon to the Web Security
software by entering your Login Name and your Password.
3. When the computer’s home page loads, click on the location bar to highlight it,
and then type in the address (URL) of any of the search engines that you wish
to use. Press the Enter/Return key on your keyboard and your search engine
page should be loaded.
Enter the address (URL) here
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4. When the search engine page loads you should see an area that will allow you to
enter your keyword or search criteria. Click in this area and type in your search
criteria. You should also see a button that says Search, Find, Find It, or
perhaps even Fetch. When that button is pressed, the search engine takes over
and returns a list of websites containing information on the topic you asked for.
The search engine page from www.altavista.com is shown below.
Click here to start the search
Enter your keyword or search criteria here
5. When the search is complete, a list of pages will be shown. Click on the title of
any of the pages to go to that site.
Click this title to go to that web page.
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*** Other Search Engines
Internet Terms
Address – (e-mail, Internet address, and web address) – The code (series of
letters, numbers and/or symbols) by which the Internet identifies you or the
location where information is stored.
Application – program or software; what tells the computer to do what you want it
to do. Examples include Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, HTML,
Quick Time).
Bookmark - a direct link to an often visited site, saved in your browser for easy
access. Bookmarks help you keep track of Web sites you frequently visit.
Boolean - A system used frequently in search engines and directors for searching
and retrieving information using and combining terms such as AND, OR, NOT, and
IF … THEN to sort data.
Browser - A program used to view, download, upload, surf or otherwise access
documents (for example, Web pages) on the Internet. Netscape Navigator and
Microsoft Internet Explorer are well-known “Web browsers” that enable you to
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view and interact with Web sites. Browsers read pages that are "marked up" or
coded pages (usually in HTML but not always).
Bug - A programming error that causes a software application or computer system
to perform erratically, produce incorrect results, or crash all together.
Chat - A form of interactive online communication that enables users to have realtime conversations with other people who are also online. Chatting on the Internet
can take place via Web sites, in areas known as chat rooms, via Instant Messaging,
or on IRC channels.
Dial-up connection - The most popular form of Internet connection for a home
user, this is a connection from your desktop computer to the host/server computer
over standard telephone lines.
Download - To transfer a file(s) from another computer to your computer. There
are a few methods of doing this on the Internet.
E-Mail address - E-mail is quite simply, electronically transmitted mail on your
computer. The username is the userID, account, or nickname of a specific person
or machine designated to receive e-mail.
School e-mail examples:
(jdoe.ls@lee.k12.nc.us , jdoe.tway@lee.k12.nc.us, jthompson@lee.k12.nc.us )
Home page – The main introductory page of a Web Site. Personal web pages are
frequently called home pages as well.
HTML – HyperText Markup Language – the primary language used to develop web
pages.
HTTP – HyperText Transfer Protocol. Allows communication between a server and
a client computer. Web addresses usually begin with http://
Hyperlink – Also called a hotlink, hyperlink, or link. Highlighted words in a text
that can be clicked on to go to another page or site.
ISP – Internet Service Provider – Agent for most peoples access to the Internet.
Can either a Dial-up or Direct connection.
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IP Address – Internet Protocol Address – the name for the unique identifying
number every computer on the Internet has.
Internet – Basically a bunch of computers linked together through a network so
computer users in different locations can have access to the same information.
Worldwide network of computers.
URL – Uniform Resource Locator or web address – usually starts with http://www.
Followed by a “dot” and then a domain name and a path.
Using Search Engines and Directories
What are they?
Search engines: to allowing you to retrieve links to documents or sites related to
the terms or keywords you enter.
Multi-Search Engines: search multiple search engines at the same time for the
terms or keywords you enter.
Directories: list subject categories and subcategories related to the topic you are
interested.
Which should I use?
For general browsing the directories are probably your best choice. If you are
looking for something specific, search engines allow you to enter key words and
phrases, then return links to the pages they deem most relevant.
Search Tips/Hints
 Enter singular or unique terms (keywords) or phrases (keyword phrases) for
the information you are seeking.
 Avoid using common terms (internet, free, web) - they will result in many
irrelevant results.
 When possible use a proper name to narrow the search.
 Advanced search tips: using Boolean operators.
 Read the search help page offered by the search tool.
Joy Thompson, Instructional Technology Facilitator
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Joy Thompson, Instructional Technology Facilitator
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