Digital Commons @ University of Georgia School of Law
Abstract
Searching the World Wide Web can be a daunting task. The Web has expanded at such a rapid pace that nobody knows exactly how large it is, but it is safe to say that there are many billions of web pages residing on servers all over the world. Add to this scenario the hundreds of different search tools available to choose among β including directories, search engines, meta-searchers, and specialized search engines β and the situation begins to feel overwhelming. Fortunately, learning a few essential concepts of Web searching, along with mastering a handful of the top-rated search tools, can make the picture much brighter. Simply knowing how to choose the right tool for your information need can make all the difference. This paper will first discuss basic concepts and terms you must know to be an effective searcher. Next, it will in turn examine each of the major categories of search tools, and recommend the best search engines and directories currently availabl