To find information try the following search techniques at search engines. A search engine searches documents by keywords and returns a list for linking to the documents. Three search engines are Google, Alltheweb, and Altavista . Notice that the advanced search tool allows choices for language, domain, etc. If you choose to use the basic search tool, i.e. Google,you must use the + sign, quotes, and an asterisk with your keywords to refine a search: "+algorithim implementations" +repository

Different engines have different techniques so it is best to click on "Help" for detailed search instructions for the engine you use. Search engines are useful to find lists, i.e. top 500 supercomputing sites. Some valuable lists are found by typing in the name of a familiar resource, such as "IEEE" and using its search engine to find lists you need. In Google, try typing in +"pathfinders" +computing to retrieve a list of Internet sites that link to many other sites.Beware that not all fulltext information you retrieve is free. A list may just point you to a for-profit source for obtaining fulltext.

If one search engine does not retrieve satisfactory results, switch to another search engine. Valuable information may also be obtained from the deep web content of PDF files, i.e. "graph theory " +white paper +filetype:pdf or "morphing" +filetype:ppt. (The "ppt" is a filetype for a PowerPoint presentation for which you will need to have PowerPoint software installed on your computer before you can view the presentation.) Whatever data you find, it is always wise to evaluate information if you are unsure of the credentials of the source.

Listed below are miscellaneous search strategies that you may tailor to the search instructions of the engine you use.

Need speech on "Internet security" +"White House" +speech
Need bibliography on computing ethics: +"computing ethics" +bibliography
Need a poem that has the line "Each of us pursues his trade: +"each of us pursues his trade" +poem
Need an online language conversion dictionary for Spanish: +language dictionary +"Spanish"
Need to find a picture, video or audio? Use Altavista search engine's Search screen and click choice at top

Specialized Databases

The university library subscribes to numerous databases which you are encouraged to use during your studies. Scroll through the list of databases to familiarize yourself with the resources you may use for class assignments and research projects. Full text books and journal articles, as well as bibliographic citations are available if you use your southern.edu login and password. ACM Digital Library is a premiere journal database for computing. Digital Dissertations is an excellent full text source. NetLibrary contains full text of books.

Other Resources

Online Books & Journals E-text Center Yahoo Directory BUBL

More information, contact Ann Greer