To understand what web search engines are we must first have a
general understanding of the Internet or world wide web. In brief the
Internet consists of thousand of different computers that have
storage space allocated that is made accessible to everyone else who is
able to connect to this computer. These computers are called "Servers". The
space is formatted into files that are readable by programs called Browser.
Every server has its own number or address just like a phone number.
All Servers are interconnected by phone lines. The entirety of the different
connections are called the Internet. So physically the Internet does not exist
it is virtual. Servers are added and disconnected as you read this. Therefore there is never a fixed number of computers connected.
How can we find anything on the Internet?
There many possibilities. We could just try out different addresses and
see if we find something. Or we could tell other people our addressee
Or we could use a Searchengine.
People have the option of listing their addresses with references and
keywords about the stuff of their files with searchengiens. The searchengiens
keep databases on those listings and make them available when you enter keywords
It is important to notice that by no means all existing hompages are
to be found through search engines
In addition to homepages searches can also be made in usenet. Usenet is like a
bulletinboard. The difference is that instead of putting up a peace of paper
you post an E-mail massage that anybody can retrieve.
Also many times a search will return a huge number of pages of which most
are irrelevant to what you are really looking for
Here is a little insight what other students have reported
All in all it seams to be the same story. Frustration, Not knowing
what to do and not finding what they are looking for. I leave you with
two quotes from former generations:
CHERISH HIGASHI'S
I chose the word "stress" because I felt it to be the one word that summarizes Garrett's topic best, and also
because it is something to which no one can be spared from.
Ronel
My advice here is that before using a new search engine, you must have prior knowledge about
various search engines to see how they work. After doing this, you will have acquired the necessary basic
skills to do a search on a search engine. Another advice is that, before doing any search you must know
what you are searching for, and make a list of words relating to what you are searching. This will allow
you to have an easier time searching. If not, then you will have difficulties using the search engine,
making the process of using search engines an unenjoyable experience.