Using the Internet

Researching the net - search engines

Search Engines

  • Aardvark South African Website

  • Ananzi - South African Website

  • S A Yellow South African Website

  • M S N

  • Zebra

  • Altavista - UK

  • Excite

  • Google

  • Hotbot

  • Lycos

  • Yahoo

  • Web Ferret

  • the list goes on...

 

One of the easiest methods of searching the internet is by using a search engine which will find the information that you require. What is a search engine? A search engine is a database of web pages which allows users to search the internet for specific resources, by doing what is called a keyword search. Perhaps your research project is to compile a history of Nelson Mandela's life. ‘nelson mandela' becomes your key word/s search.

The number of ‘hits' or file targets will then be reflected, as the search engine already knows where all the pages containing ‘nelson mandela' are located. You then have access to information on your topic from a range of sources on the world wide web.

HINT: Always remember that is important to clearly define your keywords. You have to be specific in your search as the internet can access volumes of information and a general search may return 100s of 1000s of hits. For example: a search for ‘nelson mandela' on www.google.com will return 277 000 hits, whereas by including ‘ nelson mandela early life' using the same search engine, will return 50 400 hits. Though still a large number, it is much more useful, and do remember that it is impossible to look at all the hits, so choose those that provide a description of their pages which you would require to complete your project. Below is a list of search engines, South African and international. Whilst some are highly recommended and others not, it is important that you ‘feel' your way around these search engines and work with your favourites. For local information it is best to use local search engines which can be identified by the za at the end of the address, such as www.ananzi.co.za.

 

Related Pages:

Next page: How to save information from the net

Previous page: What is the internet?

 

References

How to conduct & present historical research

People as historical sources - interveiwing members of the community

Oral history - an educational tool for educators and learners