Searching the Internet
Search Engines
Search engines allow you to search the internet using keywords or phrases.
Test the search engines listed below by using the same search terms in each search engine to see which has the best results and not just the most results. Sometimes different search engines are more useful for certain types of searches or certain subjects.
Google is the most popular search engine but there are some disadvantages to using it.
Here are some other useful search engines and reasons when and why they are useful:
| This meta search engine searches several other major search engines simultaneously. | |
| Anzwers | An Australian search engine that has been around for quite a few years. |
| WebWombat | Australian search engine that was established in 1994. It concentrates on content from Australia and New Zealand only. |
| Instead of delivering search results in one long list, this search engine groups similar results together into clusters and you can choose which subgroup suits your needs | |
| This search engine displays the results in the style of a visual mind map where you can click on aspects of most interest. | |
| This search engine is most suited to students in Year 7 or 8 and finds sites suited to students in these years. | |
| Ask | Type in a question and up will come websites which may answer it and also similar topics will appear to help you. |
| Brainboost | Brainboost is an answer engine which means that it actually finds answers to your questions posed in plain English rather than directing you to pages that simply mention the words in the questions. |
| Ditto | Ditto is a leading visual search engine. Ditto enables people to navigate the Web through pictures. |
| BUBL | BUBL Information Service offers a search by subject feature and also uses the Dewey Decimal Classification system as the primary organisation structure for its catalogue of Internet resources. |
| Cantufind | The Cantufind Directory is one of the oldest directories on the web. In operation since the beginning of 2000 it has one of the largest database's available. |
To make your internet searches more effective and efficient, try these handy hints:
HANDY HINT 1: add more words to make your search more specific and get rid of many sites that are not very useful eg if you want to find out the population of Sydney in 1945, type in:
Sydney NSW population 1945 NOT Sydney population
eg if you want to find out what are the symptoms of diabetes, type in:
diabetes symptoms NOT diabetes
HANDY HINT 2: use " " when you use a phrase or name of something with several words
eg "world heritage sites" NOT world heritage sites
which will get more sites that are not relevant and will look for the words world and heritage and sites but not necessarily together.
If you want more information on effective searching, visit Internet Tutorials.