02 Internet Searching Interesting Sites
Internet: Using Search Engines
A Search Engine is tool that enables users to locate information on the World Wide Web. Search engines use keywords entered by users to find Web sites which contain the information sought. It is not as exact as knowing the actual web address and can be a bit hit and miss at times. It is a good way to try to find information when you do not know the website address you need.
How to use a search engine:
Here are a list of popular search engines. Just type the name of one of them into the address bar in your web browser and then press your Enter/Return button.
www.ask.co.uk
www.ask.com
www.lycos.co.uk
www.lycos.com
www.google.co.uk
www.google.com
www.dogpile.co.uk
www.dogpile.com
www.altavista.co.uk
www.altavista.com
You will then see the Search Engine where you can type in your key words as in the example below:
Now press the return button on your keyboard of using your mouse click on the Google Search button. Your results will be listed – don’t be surprised if there are thousands of possible results.
Once you have experimented with search engines, try the following exercises or some variation of them – you might like to think of your own interests and what sites you would like to see on the world wide web:
Web Quest.
Look for clubs and societies (such as SSPCA, RSPB etc) using a search engine: eg www.google.co.uk, www.ask.co.uk, www.lycos.co.uk etc.
1. Find out about your favourite TV programmes. Try this link to begin your search: www.bbc.co.uk
2. Find out about the history of your town.
3. Find out about the history of your family name.
4. Find out about the history of a country you are interested in.
5. Find information on a famous sportsperson past or present.
6. Get information on a famous or infamous character.
7. Find a picture and information on a well-known place such as Central Park in New York.
8. Find out about airline, train or bus timetables, destinations and costs.
9. Find a cheap holiday!
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