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Internet Search Tools

Ready Reference| Search Engines | MetaSearch Engines | Internet Subject Directories | MetaDirectories | Specialized Internet Tools

Ready Reference

Use when a quick answer is needed for a specific fact: exchange rates, word definitions, brief biographical or company information
[Button] Desk Reference
Fast access to directories, government information and general reference sources.
http://ansernet.rcls.org/deskref/

[Button] Internet Public Library
Access to online dictionaries, almanacs and encyclopedias.
http://www.ipl.org/ref/RR/

Search Engines

Use to find specific information on a specialized topic or when refining features can assist in defining search query; search engines index millions of sites and utilize sophisticated robotic computer programs to match sites with search terms.
[Button] Alta Vista
AltaVista is the most comprehensive search engine on the Internet, with many features to refine a search.
http://www.altavista.com/

[Button] Google
Google is a new search engine developed at Stanford University which uses mathematical analysis and specialized text-matching techniques to provide you with relevant results.
http://www.google.com

[Button] HotBot
http://www.hotbot.com/


MetaSearch Engines

"Meta" search engines will search many engines at once, removing duplication and providing a useful overview of what's "out there". Meta-engines lack the sophisticated search refinement features of the single engines.
[Button] Dogpile
http://www.dogpile.com/



[Button] ProFusion
http://www.profusion.com

[Button] WebCrawler
http://www.webcrawler.com

Internet Subject Directories

Use to get a general feel for the best sites available on the Internet in a subject area; directories are not comprehensive but provide an organized way of finding information
[Button] Argus
A clearinghouse for subject-oriented Internet guides.
http://www.clearinghouse.net/



[Button] INFOMINE
From the University of California, one of the best guides for scholarly resources on the Internet, organized by broad subject area.
http://lib-www.ucr.edu/

[Button] Librarian's Index to the Internet
Compiled by librarians, this is a good starting point for selected web sites organized by subject classification. More useful than Infomine for general research.
http://lii.org

[Button] Internet Resources by Subject
Selected by librarians at New Mexico State University.
http://lib.nmsu.edu/resources.html

[Button] Yahoo
The largest subject-organized site for searching the Internet.
http://www.yahoo.com/

Meta-Directories and Current Awareness Tools

Use to stay aware of new resources in particular subject areas. Meta-directories are gateways to large collections of subject oriented material.
[Button] AlphaSearch
A directory of gateway sites searchable by browsing by resource type, discipline or by keyword. One gateway leads to hundreds of sites within a subject area.
http://www.calvin.edu/library/searreso/internet/as/

[Button] Direct Search
A directory of links to databases and full electronic texts not usually accessible through general search tools.
http://gwis2.circ.gwu.edu/~gprice/direct.htm

[Button] Internet Scout Report
Compiled by the Computer Science Department of the University of Wisconsin, the Internet Scout Report provides reviews of the best new Internet resources.
http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/index.html

Specialized Internet Tools

[Button] Beaucoup
Collection of general and specialized Internet search engines.
http://www.beaucoup.com/

[Button] direct search
Find online databases, library catalogs and additional resources not regularly indexed by search engines.
http://ps.superb.net/FAQ/

[Button] Alta Vista Image, Audio and Video Search
Locate images, movies, sounds and streams.
http://isurf.interpix.com/

[Button] LISZT
Search electronic mail discussion groups in all subject areas.
http://www.liszt.com/

[Button] News Index
Search engine for over 300 current news sites on the Internet.
http://www.newsindex.com/




[Organ Mountains]
Send comments and questions to: library@lib.nmsu.edu