Discusses specialized search engines for information on specific topics on the Internet. Explains reasons for using specialized search engines; highlights search engines in the fields of health care, legal information, and multimedia formats; and provides Web sites that are helpful in finding other specialized search engines. (LRW)

Describes how keyboard macro processors can be used in the context of online searching to store alternative search statements before going online. An example using ProKey software is included, and its advantages and limitations are described and compared with the more sophisticated front end systems available. (EM)

This working paper from the American National Standards Committee Z-39, Subcommittee G on Standard Terms, Abbreviations and Symbols for Use in Interactive Information Retrieval discusses the issue of standardization for command languages used in interactive online searching of bibliographic databases. (EJS)

Discusses how to find digital images on the Web. Considers images and copyright; provides an overview of the search capabilities of six search engines, including AltaVista, Google, AllTheWeb.com, Ditto.com, Picsearch, and Lycos; and describes specialized image search engines. (LRW)

Describes the field search capabilities of selected Web search engines (AltaVista, HotBot, Infoseek, Lycos, Yahoo!) and includes a chart outlining what fields (date, title, URL, images, audio, video, links, page depth) are searchable, where to go on the page to search them, the syntax required (if any), and how field search queries are entered.…

Discusses the growing gap between what is available on the Internet and what search engines can retrieve, particularly data lost in the breach of the unindexable, versus the unindexed, Web. Highlights include products designed to focus on content that is usually missed by search engines; and directories versus search engines. (Contains 10…

Describes database produced by Thomson and Thomson and available on Dialog which contains over 700,000 records representing all active federal trademark registrations and applications for registrations filed in United States Patent and Trademark Office. A typical record, special features, database applications, learning to use TRADEMARKSCAN, and…

Describes strategies that can be used to search the DIALOG database by date to add precision to searching. The "Current" command is explained, as well as other commands; ways to search a specific year are described; and DIALOG files that are already restricted by date are discussed. (LRW)

Discusses the search option on Web sites and explains how to develop a search engine. Highlights include search options, including Boolean operators, graphical interface, and language; platform and server compatibility; indexing; metadata; XML; customization options; installation and configuration; evaluation; usability; and cost. (LRW)

Reviews databases providing information on published, standardized and unpublished, non-standardized test instruments: Educational Testing Service File, Mental Measurements Yearbook Database, Dissertation Abstracts Online, ERIC, and Psychological Abstracts. Search strategies, search examples, and a summary chart of searchable fields for test…

Describes the advantages and drawbacks to high-speed conference searching and outlines the procedure for a standard conference search. (FM)

Presents a chart that explains the search syntax, features, and commands used by the 12 most widely used general Web search engines. Discusses Web standardization, expanded types of content searched, size of databases, and search engines that include both simple and advanced versions. (LRW)

Discusses the confusion among end users in using Boolean operators when searching electronic resources. Highlights include search engines; site-specific search engines; the counterintuitive nature of Boolean logic; hidden defaults; the problem of conceptualization; reprogramming defaults; and a lack of user education. (LRW)

Explains seven types of subject descriptions commonly used in databases--hierarchical classification, category codes, subject headings, descriptors, faceted classification, post-controlled vocabulary, and natural language--and describes specific search techniques for taking advantage of the strengths of particular types of vocabularies. An overall…

Profiles of online services provided by VU/TEXT, which maintains market access to electronic newspaper databases, highlights scope (newspapers, business information, wire services and nonnewspaper regional information, encyclopedia); search techniques; strengths; and upcoming enhancements. Descriptions of 17 databases and sample searches are…