Searching the Internet

1
Searching the Internet

• Matt Makowka
• Engineering Liaison Reference Librarian
• April 7, 2005

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History of the Internet

• 1960s ARPA (Advance Research Project Agency)
• 4 host computers
• 1970s Commercial Databases
• 100 host computers
• 1980s Text Message Bulletin Boards
• 300,000 host computers
• 1990s Graphics-Based Browsers Dial-Up
  Internet Service
• 10 million host computers

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History of the Internet

• 2000 and Beyond High-Speed Internet Access
  est. 20 billion Web pages
• 200 million host computers

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Terminology

• Index to place in a list in a specified order
  in order to make the information searchable
• URL (Web Address) Universal Resource Locator
• TLD Top-Level Domain
• .com commercial use (unrestricted)
• .net network associated entities (unrestricted)
• .org organizations (unrestricted)
• .gov government use
• .mil U.S. military
• .edu educational institutions

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Terminology

• Recently Added TLDs (2000)
• .aero for aviation-related businesses
• .biz for businesses
• .coop for cooperatives
• .info for informative Web sites
• .museum museums
• .name names
• .pro - professionals

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Search Tips

• Choose the right tool.
• Search Engine for specific searches, most
  sweeping search of the Internet.
• Subject (Search) Directory broad, general
  searches. Arranges Web in categories and
  hierarchies.
• Subject-Specific Search Engine specific types
  of info (phone numbers, technical reports,
  scientific)
• Learn 2 or 3 search engines well.
• Know your search math.
• Use the Advanced Search and Help pages.
• Educate yourself!
• Practice! Play! Explore!