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V. KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
- The Internet is a global network of computer
networks. The World Wide Web is the largest,
most popular activity on the Internet and is characterized by
multi-media capabilities and hyperlinks.
- Every Web page has a unique address called a URL,
which has 3 parts: the protocol, server
name, and resource ID. Pay special attention
to the domain name found within the server name
because this usually identifies the type of organization that
created or sponsored the Website.
- To use the Web you need a computer connected to the Internet
and special software called a Web browser.
- The Internet and libraries each have their own strengths and
limitations. Skilled researchers know that they compliment each
other and will draw on each when appropriate.
- There are 3 basic tools for searching the Internet:
Web databases, subject directories, and search
engines.
- The best way to find high quality information on the Internet
is to use one or more Web databases. Thousands of these specialized
databases exist. When they are available only to paid subscribers,
they are known as proprietary Web databases.
- Doing research using only Web search tools such as Yahoo!
or Google is unwise because: 1) Web search tools can
only access a small part of the total information found on the
Internet, 2) the Websites found this way are often lacking in
quality, and 3) the best information on the Web is found by using
Web databases.
- After you conduct exhaustive research using Web databases, you
may want to look for information and opinion found on free Websites.
This is often referred to as "general Web surfing."
Be cautious, however, because your search can uncover highly credible
sites as well as sites containing very questionable or false information.
- Web subject directories provide lists of Websites
(and other Internet documents) arranged by subject category. They’re
often a good place to start when you’re looking for information
on relatively general subjects, or if you want an overview of
what is available on the Web on a given subject.
- Selective directories, such as the Librarians'
Index to the Internet, are a type of subject directory
that only list sites recognized to be high in academic quality.
- Web search engines (such as AskJeeves,
Google, AltaVista, and many others) allow you to search through
millions of Websites by your own keyword(s). It is appropriate
to use them when you have a focused research question in mind
rather than a broad subject.
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