Search Engines

    Search Engines are a type of software, that are found on the Internet, for finding information on the WWW. They work on a keyword basis, whereby entering the keyword/s of a topic of interest to you and then clicking on GO, search a massive database of available information involving those keywords entered.
    They are a vital tool in making your time spent on-line as little as possible. Here we shall take a look at a search engine and how it works.

    Exercise

      1. Press the 'Net Search' button at the top of this page.
      If you are not connected to the internet this should automaticaly boot your modem up. If this does not happen choose to boot up your modem manualy as is described in your installation instructions.

      2. When you arrive at the requested page there will be an intial choice of 5 different search engines. Magellan, Excite, Yahoo, Infoseek and Lycos. Select one of these by clicking on the word.

      3. There will be a request for you to fill a box in with your search terms. Think of a topic and place the term in the box then click the button beside (e.g. go for it, search).

      4. You will receive a page with 10 results. These will be links to pages thatrefer to your search term. There is a brief desription of the contents of the web page to help you decide which page to select. Select one of the links.

      5. Repeat this exercise but this time selected a different search engine to do this. Return to the net search page by either clicking the 'net search button' at the top of the page or press the back button until you arrive back at the page.

    There is information made available, by each search engine, to help improve your effective use of search engines. Thse tips can be found by looking around at the search engines web site. (e.g. http://www.lycos.com/search-help.htm)
    training report sheet



    Email address

    Name

    have you completed the task for the Exercise

    Yes
    No

    Name three search engines you have tried.

    What helpful tips have you found to improve your effective use of a search engine? Please name the search Engine the tip refers to.