Web+Searching+Hints


 * //To find information on the Internet as fast as possible using a search engine such as Google, try these hints://**


 * Getting Results**
 * When you enter keywords into a search engine, it looks for all the pages that include all of your keywords.
 * The more key words you enter in a search engine, the fewer results you get and the more likely they are to be useful.
 * Use speach marks arround an exact phrase. E.g. "peanut butter" finds only pages with those two words together.
 * Use an advanced search engine, such as [|Google Advanced]for more options for reducing or increasing your results.
 * Try using other [|seach engines].
 * Meta engines, such as [|pg:1|Ask] or [|Metacrawler] seach several several search engines at once, including Google.


 * Reading Search** **Results**
 * results list all the pages found, with samples showing the keywords in **bold**. Scan the samples before choosing which pages to look at. [|Example]
 * Open links from search results with a right click / open in new window. When you have finished reading the new window, you can close it and get straight back to your results. Make Google open new windows for you by checking //Open search results in a new browser window//Open search results in a new browser window in the [|preferences.][|preferences.]preferences.
 * To save scanning for keywords on a webpage, use Ctrl+F and enter the keyword. Try this now, using the keyword //fox.//fox. See? This is especially useful for long pages.
 * Add useful pages to Favourites (menu bar), so you can return to them whenever you want.
 * Keep your favourites organised in folders for each topic. Make a folder for each subject you are studying, with folders in them for each topic.


 * Finding Pictures**
 * There are lots of image seach engines. [|Google Advanced Picture Search] is very good.
 * Use the size box to find just bigger pictures. Pictures on the web are often smaller than you need for other purposes, so choose the larger sizes.
 * Always save pictures with a right click, rather than copy and pasting them. This saves memory. You can insert saved picture files into other applications, such as PowerPoint.

You may not know what keywords to use because you dont know the name of the thing you are looking for. For example, you want to buy some screws you have seen that stop vandals undoing them. You want to buy them as cheaply as possible. You have no idea what they are called so you could: 1) Try some keywords which describe what you are looking for, such as //one way screw//. 2) Looking at the results for //one way screw//, you would discover they are called //security screws.// 3) The keywords //"security screw"// would then give pages with which you could compare prices. Note the use of speach marks to help find just what you are looking for.
 * Be a Detective**

[|pg:1|Ask] is a useful search engine if you have no idea what keywords to use, since you can enter what you want as a question, e.g.

[|Internet Detctive] - a great guide for 6th formers researching for coursework. [|Altavista search tips] - tips for using this powerful search engine, which you can apply to other engines.
 * More Help**