Searching the web
Finding the exact information you want on the webThe complete set of all web pages and documents held on every internet server. Also known as the world wide web. requires skill and practice. There are thousands of pages on any given topic.
Search engines
A search engine is a service which helps you find the information you want on the internet. Search engines continually trawl the net for new websiteA web page or group of web pages hosted on one web server and viewed in a web browser, usually maintained by a person, group or organisation. cataloguing them into an index. Some commonly used search engines are Google, Yahoo and AltaVista, but there are many others.
Search terms
When you go to a search engine you are given a search box into which you enter the key words of your topic. For example, if you enter the word rock you will likely get links to pages about geology, music and building societies.
Let us say we want information on rock music. If you type in rock music it is likely the search engine will bring up links to many pages about rocks, rock climbing and music. However, if you try typing in "rock music" (with quotes) the search engine will treat it as a phrase and bring up details of web pageAlso known as webpage. A page designed for, and viewed in, a web browser. containing the words rock music in that order.
Advanced search terms
Entering rock + music will bring up documents containing both words. Entering rock + music - climbing will bring up documents containing the words rock and music but with no reference to climbing.