| Internet Search Directories
Knowing how to search the Internet is invaluable to most users. With the vast amount of information available, it becomes quite a task to search through it all to find what is needed. Parents should be able to help children use the resources of the Internet efficiently, so that the time online is spent with higher level thinking and learning rather than bogged down spending time searching through the vast information. There are basically two types of search functions for the Internet's World Wide Web: search engines and search directories. Both types of Web sites help users sift through the Internet's available resources, but each with a slightly different approach. Search engines are Web sites that feature software that goes through tens of thousands of other Web sites and pages and finds resources on different topics. Users of search engines input words or phrases (called "keywords") that the search engine will use to find Web sites matching the inputted criteria. Some search engines employ software called "spiders" that "crawl" through the World Wide Web searching for Web sites matching the user's keywords. Other search engines allow you to actually type in a full question in order to execute a Web search. Either way, once a user inputs the keywords, most search engines will return hundreds of Web site addresses that match the criteria. This large number of matches may be valuable to a user or possibly cumbersome, as it is tedious to then sift through the numerous suggested sites. Search directories are similar to search engines, except there are live people actually categorizing the information. Rather than relying exclusively on Web search programs to find matching data within the Web sites, search directories list the information grouped into categories. The theory behind these sites is that they are more manageable than simple search engines, but yet many directories do not feature all sites available on a certain topic. Even worse for users, are the search directories that list information based on fees paid to them by the Web sites. This limits available resources as well. Some of the best Web sites for searching for information on the Internet, feature meta-searches, which combine search engines and directories. A user inputs keywords just once, and the meta-search Web site simultaneously sends the user's criteria through numerous searches. The user may then view the returned search results from the different search engines and directories from one central site, rather than having to go to each individual site and run individual information searches. Most search engines and directories are NOT safe for children to use. Most search Web sites are concerned with matching keywords and other criteria and not determining whether or not the material is inappropriate for children. There are Web search directories available that are designed to be used by children and are screened and filtered by educators, parents and others. Here are some invaluable kid-safe search directories: AJKids.com Copyright © 1999-2000 Marty W. Stewart All rights reserved. No part of this information may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, distributing, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Inquiries should be addressed to: Marty W. Stewart P O Box 1083 Blue Bell, PA 19422 Marty@ResponsibleKids.net <Return
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