The World Wide Web is a massive and dynamic collection of information. The task of finding specific information may be accomplished through the use of search engines or directories. A search engine is a type of software that searches an index of Web sites and returns a list of sites that match a search phrase. The index may be created through the use of a crawler or spider that scans Web sites automatically. By contrast, a directory is categorical listing of Web sites that is compiled by people. The examples shown in the table below illustrate some of the differences between Web searching tools.

Search Strategies:
Locating information on the Internet can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there are some simple strategies that may be used to help you find the information you are seeking. The following articles have been written by staff at Search Engine Watch. This site features many resources devoted to all aspects of online searching.

• Search Engine Math: This short article explains how to combine symbols with search phrases to improve search results.
• Power Searching for Anyone: How to enhance search phrases for various search engines.
• Search Assistance Features: How to use special features in several popular search engines.

Online Resources:

Beaucoup: http://www.beaucoup.com
Links to more than 2000 Internet search engines, directories, and indices categorized by type and subject.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Search Engines: http://www.monash.com/spidap2.html
This site provides answers to many common questions.

Search Engine Watch: http://www.searchenginewatch.com
Information about various search engines and search strategies.

Search Engine Listing: http://searchenginewatch.com/links/index.php
A list of several search tools by category.