Searching the Internet

By now you should have several sites bookmarked. So what's the next step? Simple, now its time to start looking for information. We have several search engines bookmarked but that's only the first step.

What can you search for? Nearly everything! It would be improper to state that the Internet contains the sum total of all human knowledge, however its getting there very quickly.

Use one of your new BookMarks and surf over to one of the search engines. Here you will be presented with a webpage, which has a field in which you can enter terms to look for. All of these systems have a help section or FAQ clearly marked, so if you get into trouble, you can either hit your "back" button or try the site help file.

You begin your search by entering some sort of search criteria into an editable field on your screen, then pressing the search button.

Searching the Internet for some particular information can be both a frustrating experience and a rewarding one. Its best to start with a particular search engine or directory, looking for what you need. Remember that there is a considerable overlap between the contents of one engine and another, so you will find similar references among them.

Let's say we are looking for information on a 1977 Jeep CJ-5, perhaps a supplier of parts for that automobile. Going to a search engine like Yahoo, you can search their database, but the real question becomes what keyword do you use? Yahoo allows only one keyword, or a phrase in their advanced search options.

Start by looking for "CJ-5", but in all likelihood, you won't find it. It's way too specific. You need to exercise care in picking search terms. For example, looking for items that weigh a "ton" will also return references to "Washington", "Alexander Hamilton" etc.

Having not found anything listed under CJ-5, or perhaps finding listings, but of the wrong type, widen your search by looking for "Jeep". Here you may find several dealers of Jeeps, perhaps even the parts supplier you need. You may also find someone's Homepage where they write about owning a jeep.

As you can see, the steps to finding your desired information are;

Start Specific, (i.e. Search for "CJ-5".)

Broaden your search if you don't find any reference. (i.e. Search for "Jeep")

Broaden further if you still don't find anything. (i.e. Search for "Automotive")