Advanced Web Search

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GOOGLEMANIASearch techniques, sources, tools and tips. Thomas Pitre Associates Sequim, WA© Copyright 2004-8, Thomas Pitre, Sequim, WA – Last revision, Feb., 2008 – In process, March, 2008

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Hands-on searches during class. We cover an item, I answer questions, and you TRY the search for yourselves. If you have trouble, ask a neighbor first.

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What’s New http://labs.google.com/ Check Google Labs to see the new tools. Go to this site, now. [ Typing http:// not necessary.]

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Something VERY NEW http://touchgraph.com/TGGoogleBrowser.html [JAVA required]

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New this month (March, 2008) Google’s search-within-search feature. For example, search BEST BUY and you get:

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What Tools are Recommended? E http://www.webferret.com/ BFERRET. It is a free tool. I search using this Multiple Search Engine tool and save the results.

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Finding People - exercise Enclose the first and last name of the person you're searching for in quotes when you enter it into the search box (like "John Smith"). Try this. Include other relevant words, like the person's profession, employer, location, or screen name, too (like banker or Austin, Texas.) Try this. If the person you're searching for is likely to appear on a particular web site--like a school--search only that site using the site:URL operator (like site:ucla.edu "John Smith"). To look up people by face, search for them on Google Images <http://images.google.com >

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Search Google Like an Expert Google cheat sheet and exercises [This was a link to a local file. Use Google and you will find plenty of cheat sheets. ]

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Search Images and BLOGS Try this in Google images at http://images.google.com site:spcug.net Gets images from a site. Blogs and forums are home for subject experts. Try: keyword search using the Blog Search function at: http://blogsearch.google.com Technorati < http://technorati.com > is a site that aggregates user-generated content. Use to gauge reliability of info. Check sources!!

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Simple Searching State your topic as a question Think about associated "keywords”. Get Background information. Plan your Search: Who would be interested in your topic? Where would they publish or present their thoughts? Search, Then evaluate (below). Use a “NATURAL LANGUAGE” search engine:http://www.lexxe.com/ Get used to phrasing your search.

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More Complex Searches Choosing the best search tool Match your search tool to your search strategy. Example: Focus your search with a “search template” Example at: http://www.altavista.com/web/adv Organize and Refine Results: using a metasearch engine – Ex. Kartoo More, here: http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=2160791

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Proximity Search Tool http://www.staggernation.com/cgi-bin/gaps.cgi

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Finding Media intitle:index.of + mp3 + "grandaddy" -html -htm -php -asp -txt -pls index of + "mp3" + "radiohead" -html -htm -php index of + inurl:mp3 + "beatles" -txt –pls Find books and video: Intitle: index of +wmv You can also use an on line tool like Purevideo at: http://www.purevideo.com/

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-Evaluating Web Resources http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/webeval.htm -Check the domain that was the source of the document.List of domain search tools, here: http://www.journaliststoolbox.com/newswriting/domain.html -HOAXBUSTERS http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/ -I.Q. guide at The Virtual Chase http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/index.html -Quackwatch http://www.quackwatch.org/index.html -Critical Evaluation Information ABCs of evaluation: http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/pdf/weval_02.pdf -Urban Legends Reference Pages http://www.snopes.com/snopes.asp

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Which Search Tool Should You Choose? If you're looking for specific information use search engines. Example of unique tools: http://www.acronymfinder.com/ If you're looking for a unique or obscure search term or you require an in-depth analysis of a specific subject, use a meta search engine. If you're looking for general information on popular topics, use subject (web) directories. Google Directory Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) -Yahoo! -JoeAnt -LookSmart If you're looking for scholarly information use virtual libraries. Librarians' Index to the Internet - Argus Clearinghouse - Internet Public Library - WWW Virtual Library - Infomine Scholarly Resources Try a Database of Databases: http://www.completeplanet.com/ or a Directory of Topics Search: http://searchalot.com/

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The largest deep web site listing: tools: Acronyms, Dictionaries, Maps, Translations, Int’l Phone Numbers, Business Sources Expert Sources: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/pages/toolbox/expert_sources/expert_sources/ at Tulane:http://www2.tulane.edu/experts/experts_main.cfm Public Records:http://www.searchsystems.net/ Access the hidden web. Ex: http://www.incywincy.com/

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There are many search tools available, including: subject directories / virtual libraries, invisible (deep) web databases, meta search engines, etc. Among the best search engines are: Google –note: Google News uses many sources AlltheWeb (FAST) Teoma AltaVista the NOLS system: http://www.nols.org/online.htm#indexes WikiPedia: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Document Clustering: http://vivisimo.com/ - Another: Mooter clusters results into concepts. Fee-Based services: http://www.infomotions.com/pointers/feebasedservices.html Specialty compilations: Tools for Journalists: http://www.powerreporting.com/ Tools (online)

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Search Engine Lists and Newsletters Search Engine Watch: http://www.searchenginewatch.com/   Research Buzz: http://www.researchbuzz.com/ Mary Ellen Bates: http://www.batesinfo.com/ See Tip of the Month at: http://www.batesinfo.com/tip.html

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END About your course leader and author: Pitre has been an educator since 1967, when he began as a recruit trainer at the primary Coast Guard Training Center, in Cape May, New Jersey. Since then, he has taught in all grade levels, including: special education, adult education and university MBA programs in California, Washington and on line for New York and South Dakota schools and training companies. He is a lifelong learner. As a retired educator, he has volunteered his time to The Technology Industry Cluster of Clallam County EDC and continues to volunteer to the Museum and Art Center, Sequim.

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BONUS – time permitting Working at Google-Inside Google - DVD http://www.youtube.com/v/aOZhbOhEunY&hl=en