SECTION 3: USING SEARCH ENGINES EFFECTIVELY

GETTING THE BEST RESULTS FROM SEARCH ENGINES

Below are some tips for getting the best results from search engines:

Print this page as a handy guide.

1. Choose one or two favorite search engines, and take time to experiment and learn how they work until you feel comfortable using them.

2. Look for and use the Web or Directory options in order to search the smaller directory of hand-picked, evaluated Web sites.

3. Use the Advanced Features or Advanced Search options.

4. Experiment with combining search terms using Boolean Logic -- AND/OR/NOT.

5. Experiment with wild card options:
   cyber* will find cybernetics, cyberspace, or cyber-"anything"

6. DO enter singular terms -- many search engines will find substrings:
   searching for game will usually retrieve games too

Over the next several screens, we will go over some of these tips in more detail.

But remember: Despite the fact that search engines offer many search features and options, do NOT expect perfect results. The Web itself is highly unorganized, so even the most sophisticated features in the better search engines do not always yield terrific results.

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