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Internet Resources

Search engines and web directories are tools for finding online information. Remember, every Internet searching tool has strengths and weaknesses, and deciding between them can be challenging. Your librarians are here to help; just ask us! Or, for online assistance, try an Internet tutorial.

Search engines are programmed to find keywords on web pages and rank what they find using computer algorithms. When you use a search engine, you might find millions of web sites.

Examples of general search engines:

• Google is the world’s largest search engine
• Yahoo! lets you search or browse
• Ask includes features to guide your search

Examples of specialized search engines:

• PicSearch for images
• Scirus for web sites about Science
• DogPile searches multiple search engines: Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask

Web directories are guides to the web, compiled by human editors who organize selected sites by category. When you use a web directory, you might find fewer, more reliable web sites.

Examples of web directories:

• Open Directory Project is the world’s largest human-edited web directory
• Librarians' Internet Index is compiled by librarians
• INFOMINE is a directory of scholarly information

Internet tutorials can help teach you the skills you’ll need to be a successful web searcher.

Examples of Internet tutorials:

• Net Tutor from OH State University
• Evaluating Web Sites from NM State University
• TILT information literacy tutorial from Portland CC