Web Surfing
When this Guide doesn't contain what you're looking for, you may have to surf the Web
directly ...
- Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
An amazing phenomenon of the last few years. Has a surprisingly
comprehensive coverage of many scientific topics.
- Yahoo!. (Yet Another Hierarchically Organized
Oracle) is a hierarchical subject-organized catalogue of documents on Web. Searches it's
own catalogue and, optionally, links out to AltaVista and other search engines to search
for sites elsewhere. Probably the best resource of its kind and probably the best place to
start most searches on general topics.
- Open Directory Project. Similar to Yahoo but
maintained by volunteer section editors. This forms the basis for the
hierarchical directories of Netscape, AltaVista etc. Netscape.
- Google. Has the best relevance
sorting algorithm and has taken over as the preferred search engine for
professionals. Sorts documents
according to the number of links to that site found in other sites.
- AltaVista. Still an
excellent general purpose search engine.
Digital.
- Excite. The best search
engine when the topic you want to search for is difficult to define in a few
keywords.
- Dogpile. Query difference search engines in
parallel. This is currently the best of the meta search engines. Aaron Flin, Unusual
Solutions.
- My Virtual Reference Desk. Designed ambitiously to
be a one-stop reference guide to all things Internet. Includes Virtual Facts on File, My
Virtual Encyclopedia and My Virtual Newspaper.
Australian Search Engines
- Yahoo! Australian & NZ. Yahoo customized for
Australia and New Zealand.
- OzSearch. Web directory in the style of Yahoo,
but restricted to Australian sites. Looks good.
- GOeureka. The Australian
AltaVista. Telstra.
- Aussie.com.au. Specializes in
finding Australia businesses, government departments, schools and universities.
