Seven Simple Steps to Successful Searching


The World Wide Web is a disorganized mess!
Search engines help you to find the information you need, but you won't always find it easily.
The Lamar Soutter Library has added links to many search engines from our web page.
Try our Internet Search feature.


Here are some tips to make your search easier.


  1. Be specific! If you are looking for information on Windows 98 bugs, search for "Windows 98 bugs", not "Windows".

  2. Use the + symbol to emphasize the importance of a word or words you are searching. The + sign requires the word to be present in the results.


  3. Use the - symbol to exclude a word.


  4. Use quotation marks to search a phrase.


  5. Use any combination of the above to really narrow your results and find the proverbial needle in a haystack.


  6. Search engines don't usually look for words like the, a or and. You can eliminate these from your search, unless they are part of a phrase enclosed in quotation marks.

  7. Learn to use 1 or 2 search engines well. Read their help screens. All search engines do the same basic job, but they each have their own strenths, weaknesses, and idiosyncrasies!


Happy Searching!