Advanced Internet Searching

1
Advanced Internet Searching

• Finding What You Want

2
Aim

• To build on your existing searching skills to
  make your Internet searching
• Less frustrating
• More efficient and effective
• More enjoyable

3
Objectives

• To explore the main types of search tools
  available on the Internet
• To understand some key features of using these
  effectively
• To learn more about search strategies and
  advanced searching

4
Search Engines

• Sites found by 'robots' 'bots' 'spiders'
• Ranked according to a set of rules
• Full or partial index of websites
• Simple and advanced searches
• Like using the index to a book
• Good for specific searches - keywords
• Good for strings of words and phrases a line of
  poetry for example
• http//www.altavista.com
• http//www.google.com
• http//www.anzwers.com.au/
• http//www.sl.nsw.gov.au/links/search.cfm

5
Word Usage - Keywords

• Select words carefully - identify the key words
  and concepts of your topic
• Variant spelling, for example
• colour and color
• Too many results - use more keywords
• Too few - use fewer words use other words
  associated with your topic
• Synonyms, for example
• sidewalk/pavement
• mailbox/letterbox
• holiday/vacation etc

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'AND'

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OR
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- 'NOT'

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Advanced Search Pages

• Most tools have Advanced Search Features
• Help you to construct a more specific search
• Make Boolean and other concepts easier
• Read the Advanced Help Pages
• Google Advanced Search
• AltaVista Advanced Web Search

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More on Advanced Search

• Some search engines (e.g. Google) allow
  searching within results
• Use the main keyword for your first search
• Refine your search using the search within
  results function

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Search Plan

• Develop a search plan that can be used in
  multiple search engines
• Develop a range of keywords to use
• Oranges in Australia
• Citrus / fruit farming Broadens the term
• Navel / Valencia oranges Narrows the term
• Decide on your priorities for searching
• e.g. current information?
• e.g. Australian information?

12
Metasearch tools

• Search multiple search engines
• Good for unusual topics
• Take advantage of various ranking systems
• Not all engines are searched
• Evolving tools - read results with caution

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More on Metasearch Tools

• Some Metasearch engines cluster the search
  results e.g. http//www.vivisimo.com
• Assists with defining your topic and developing
  lateral search terms
• You can also search for specific media formats,
  eg, MP3 or image
• http//www.dogpile.com
• http//www.ixquick.com/

14
Deep/Invisible Web

• Content stored in databases - not 'static
• May not be retrieved by, or be visible to, search
  engine robots
• Accessible on the web nevertheless
• May be listed in subject directories
• Some sites 'collect' invisible web databases
• We will look at
• http//www.invisible-web.net
• http//www.redbook.com.au
• http//www.whitepages.com.au

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Where to from here?

• Have a look at www.sl.nsw.gov.au/links
• The recommended Internet sites for the course
• See what your Library has to offer, e.g. books,
  magazines, multimedia
• Check out other Internet courses in your area
• Have a go - practise your skills

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Summary

• The major types of searching tools
• Subject directories and search engines
• Advanced Search Pages
• Phrase searching and Boolean operators
• Other resources - meta tools and invisible/deep
  web