Step One - Analyze Your Topic

Begin by identifying logical keywords  -- key concepts -- for your search. Start Low Tech: Get out a piece of paper........

Ask yourself:

• Who? 
• What?
• When?
• Where?
• How?
• Why?

Other good questions to stimulate thought:

• What specific word, phrases and/or names will occur in the documents I want?
• Are there any unique names or terms of art?
• Are there equivalent or interchangeable terms?
• How might the author think?

If you are searching a Directory or a Gateway, ask "What’s my broadest subject?" as that is your starting point for a search through their topical indices

 

Step Two - Select Your Keywords

Follow these rules to choose the best keywords.

1.   Eliminate prepositions, conjunctions, adjectives, adverbs and articles.

2.   Focus on nouns.

3.   Combine keywords into natural phrases.

4.   Use wildcards to pick up variations.

5.   Use synonyms via the Boolean OR operator.

6.   Choose 6 to 8 words total.

7.   Distinguish concepts with parentheses.

8.   Order concepts with main idea first.

9.   Join concepts with the Boolean AND operator.

10.  Watch out for case-sensitive search engines!

 

Step Three - Choose the Right Search Service

Ask:

1.    Do you really need a search engine?

2.    Do you need Boolean search capabilities?

3.    Would a specialized search service serve you best?

Once these questions have been answered, you can select the appropriate search services for your needs. If you are not sure where to begin, consider starting with a metasearch engine, like Dogpile.

And always - ALWAYS - search multiple search services. No one service covers all the Internet.

 

Step Four - Try Non-Web Resources

Remember, the Internet extends beyond the World Wide Web and there are other resources you should explore. Some of these now have Web interfaces (like Usenet on Google Groups) and can be reached with your browser. Others require a little more effort.

FTP

FTP should be great, but it isn't due to limitations on your ability to search for info.  Some Web sites are now accumulating FTP links in easier-to-use Web format. For example:

• FileWatcher - an index of public FTP servers

You can use FTP with no special software; just type the address in your browser's address window, using the "ftp:" prefix in the place of "http:", however, I suggest you try a dedicated piece of software, like WS FTP (shareware).  You can try it out for free by downloading a 30-day trial version at Download.com.

Mailing Lists

The simplest way to search the wide world of mailing lists is through the service known as Topica. The biggest limitation of the tool is that you only get a brief description of the list and contact info, which means you have to e-mail the list server for more info.  There is no "free peek" and no way to search the contents of the lists historical postings.

Newgroups (AKA Usenet)

You can use the newsgroups to track stories and follow "threads" of discussion on topics of interest.  it is a bit chatty, by and large, but can occasionally turn up something interesting.  The newsgroups can be read with a dedicated reader, or on the Web.  I like the Web-based versions at Google Groups.

R.I.P Gopher, Archie, Veronica, & Jughead...