| Search Engines* | Internet Directories* | Other Links |
| Google - Easy and straightforward to use. | Yahoo! - The most popular directory on the web. | Web Safety - Links for a safe surfing. |
| Alta Vista - A loose search with many results. | Librarians' Index to the Internet - Sites evaluated and selected by librarians. | Internet Subjects - Links to subject-related websites selected by the Library. |
| Ask Jeeves - Ask a question in natural language. | Argus Clearinghouse - In depth Internet subject guides. | Computer Training at the Library - Classes offered at the Library. |
| Hotbot - A more complex starting search. | Internet Scout Report - Critical review of the best new Web sites. | Computer Webliography - Computer links including companies, reviews, and virus information. |
| Northern Light - Sorts results into subject folders. | LookSmart - A directory aimed at business searching. | |
| Lycos - A basic search engine & directory in one. | Infomine - A directory of scholarly sites. | |
| Dogpile - A "meta-engine" that searches multiple search engines & directories at once. | About.com - A general directory |
*What's the difference?
A search engine (like Google) searches as much of the Internet as it can for sites containing the words and phrases (called keywords) you enter. The results may seem limitless, but remember that no search engine searches the whole Internet.
A directory (like Yahoo!) is a list of websites organized by subject. Directories offer a limited number of sites that have been reviewed or submitted for the directory listings. You can do a keyword search in a directory too or browse the directory by subject. You can browse from a more general topic to a very specific topic (e.g., Science --> Natural Science --> Genetics). A directory doesn't search the whole Internet either, only its own listings.
Topics - Links to websites about art, business, employment, health, history, law, literature, music, news, science, sports, and other sites selected by Reference staff. Still having trouble? Ask for assistance at the reference desk, or see more information on Computer Training at the Library for one-on-one training for the Internet, for ipac (our online catalog), and other computer skills. You can also try some online tutorials for learning to use the mouse, computer programs, and the Internet. The Library also has many computer books you can use to help you learn more.
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