Search Tools This page links you to a variety of standard search Tools (subject trees, search engines, meta-search engines, etc)

Search Tutorials: Before you do any searches, you should have a search plan, and understand how these various tools work. Begin with these resources:

1. Effective Search Tips - Follow these simple steps to focus your search activities, and become much more efficient in doing a search.
2. My overview of a search tools - Know the strengths and weaknesses of various tools
3. Tutorial: Guide to Effective Searching on the Internet.
4. Top Internet Searching Resources - A review and listing of the top 10 search engines, directories, and virtual libraries.
5. Sink or swim: Internet Search Tools & techniques Contains Solid Advice

Internet Directories: best used by Browsing (vs. searching) when you are early in your search, or are still learning about your topic

1. Yahoo The most well-known Internet directory
2. Dmoz Open Directory , looksmart,
3. About.com - A subject tree, where the authors share in the advertising revenue.
4. A ranking of directories  from searchenginewatch.com.

Search Engines: Use detailed keywords. Read the online help and advanced features for each search engine.

1. Google, search.yahoo.com,  Alltheweb, HotBot, Alta Vista,
2. Search Engine Watch: Search Engine News & Tips. (check-out their Features Comparison Chart, and size comparison Chart)
3. robotstxt - has a list of known search engine robots.
4. The Spider's Apprentice- Advice for using Search engines

Meta-Search Engines - Pass your keywords to multiple search engines at once.

1. Kartoo, ixquick , Queryserver ,Vivisimo,  Metacrawler, Dogpile

Virtual Libraries - Online indices built by subject experts

1. Go to a good subject tree such as Yahoo; Browse around to the subject of your choice ; Look for an "Web Directories",   "organizations" or  "FAQ's" listing within Yahoo's page for your subject area.
2. Try surfing upstream from individual site that you have discovered.

Note for my Alumni: Your referrals are always appreciated