Search Tools

There are no search tools that can comprehensively search the Internet. The following are some of the most popular and most powerful. Note that each has its own unique search methods. It is best to select one or two search engines and become familiar with their specific techniques to help craft more tailored searches. The following are links to the advanced searching sections of popular search engines:

• Google. The author's (current) favorite for its comprehensiveness.

• AltaVista. Advanced searching abilities make this among the most powerful search engines for reporters.

• Yahoo! A combination search engine and directory, this is useful for general searches that might be conducted when at the early stages of a story or when you are looking for general information on a topic. It is the well organized, but finds less information than many of the other tools.

• Ask Jeeves. A simple, popular search engine.

• MetaCrawler. One of the "meta-search engines," which search on multiple engines simultaneously. Results, however, are not as comprehensive as specialized searches on the same engines.

• Excite. This search engine searches for concepts as well as keywords.

• Lycos. One of the original search engines.

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