Because search engines skim only the top layers of Web pages, they miss most of what's available on what is called the "deep Web," and there may be as many as 500 billion Web pages hidden from the view of most search engines. Paul Duguid, co-author of "The Social Life of Information," says: "Google searches an index at the first layers of any Web site it goes to, and as you delve beneath the surface, it starts to miss stuff. When you go deeper, the number of pages just becomes absolutely mind-boggling." Librarians are now working with Google and other search engines to solve that problem. Daniel Greenstein of the University of California's California Digital Library, the digital branch of the University of California notes: "If you could use Google to just look across digital libraries, into any digital library collection, now that would be cool. It would help libraries achieve something that we haven't yet been able to achieve by ourselves, which is to place all of our publicly accessible digital library collections in a common pool." (New York Times 21 Jun 2004) http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/21/technology/21LIBR.html
Twenty tips for searching in Google "... Google is an remarkably powerful tool that can ease and enhance your Internet exploration. Google's search options go beyond simple keywords, the Web, and even its own programmers. Let's look at some of Google's lesser-known options."
Google Toolbar is extending the features of its tool bar to include automatic blocking of pop-up ads, automatic filling out of Internet forms, and help for users wanting to maintain personal diaries or "blogs" (Weblogs). The toolbars may be used for online searching without requiring the user to go to the Google Web site. (AP/San Jose Mercury News 27 Jun 2003)
The HotBot Quick Search Deskbar allows you to search over 200 search sites, including HotBot, from one searchbox! You can also access a number of useful tools from the same input. Free up browser and folder windows with the HotBot Quick Search Deskbar as it is installed directly into your Windows Explorer Taskbar (see image below).
Noodlequest: One of the hardest parts about doing academic research on the Internet is figuring out where to start! A search engine is usually the first thing to try, but what search engines are the most useful for your topic? Fill in the short form below, and we'll point you in the right direction.
List of Search Engines: Choose the best search engine for your information need.