Discussion of Web databases, or search engines for the Internet, presents a series of questions that can be used to analyze these tools based on library literature. Six search engines are analyzed; collection methods, indexing, and abstracting are compared; and a proposal for a future ideal Web database is included. (Author/LRW)

In World Wide Web indexing: (1) the creation process is automated; (2) the indexes are merely descriptive, not analytical of document content; (3) results may be sorted differently depending on the search engine; and (4) indexes link directly to the resources. This article compares the indexing methods and querying options of the search engines…

Reviews the literature on Web search engines evaluation, with the aim of identifying some of the issues and problems in this rapidly changing field. Suggests that a standardized set of tools be developed for the evaluation of search engines so comparisons can be made between them more effectively and variations in performance of any given search…

Discusses search engines on the World Wide Web and information retrieval from the Internet; describes categories and special features of Web-based databases and compares them with traditional databases; and presents a review of the literature on the testing and evaluation of Web-based search engines. (Author/LRW)

The purpose of this exploratory study was to compare three experts and three novices in a Web-based problem solving context. The task was to search and evaluate Web sources for writing a research paper on a topic (inquiry based instruction, or IBI) that was unfamiliar to the users. The following research questions guided the study: (1) What type…

Compares and evaluates the differences between OCLC's dial-up and World Wide Web FirstSearch access methods and their interfaces with the underlying databases. Also examines NetFirst, OCLC's new Internet catalog, the only Internet tracking database from a "traditional" database service. (Author/PEN)

Examines the history, structure, and search capabilities of Internet search tools AltaVista and Yahoo. AltaVista provides relevance-ranked feedback on full-text searches. Yahoo indexes Web "citations" only but does organize information hierarchically into predefined categories. Yahoo has recently become a publicly held company and…

Presents a chart comparing Web search engines. Discusses features covered in the chart: size; Boolean Operators and Parentheses; phrase searching; proximity; truncation; title, date and URL fields; links to a URL; language; media searching; name; case sensitivity; searches all common words; directory attached; gives count for answer; gives term…

Addresses how to find the best Internet resources for students, and protecting them from inappropriate access and materials. Examines the pros and cons of Internet filtering, the use of acceptable-use policies, voluntary self-rating systems, and inclusion solutions. (GR)

Discusses accessing the Internet via satellite with the Hughes Network Systems DirecPC satellite dish, focusing on applications for satellite dishes, pricing, how it works, siting and hardware requirements, disadvantages, security issues, and availability. Provides tips for enhancing DirecPC speed and compares DirecPC and integrated services…

The Web-based standard setting (WBSS) system described in Harvey and Way (1999) provides an online, Internet-based alternative for testing programs that use onsite judgmental standard setting studies to set their cut scores. Standard setting studies using the WBSS system were compared to similar onsite studies of two exams in the College-Level…

Describes characteristics of subject gateways on the Web (i.e., facilities allowing easier access to network-based resources in a defined subject area) and compares them to search engines (e.g., AltaVista). The application of WHOIS++, centroids, query routing, and forward knowledge to searching several gateways simultaneously is outlined, and…

Reviews published studies of Web searching. Proposes a framework for future studies that will facilitate comparison of results. Presents advantages of such a framework, and discusses the implications for the design of Web information retrieval systems studies. Compares/contrasts the searching characteristics of Web users with users of traditional…

Outlines the implementation, production, and assessment of electronic posters in two undergraduate classes, one prepared with Microsoft PowerPoint and the other using hypertext mark-up language (HTML). Describes the advantages of each, along with the grading schemes and comments about implementation. Concludes that the exercises are useful for…

The use of intranets for training and disseminating information was examined through a review of the following: print periodicals; websites of the European Network for Learning with Multimedia the Access and two British newspapers; postings to the Intranet Journal discussion groups; a general Internet search; and discussions with several leading…