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1. Introduction
2. Annotated list of recommended search sites
3. Why you need a Search strategy
4. Learn your Search syntax
5. Web site search engines, your bookmarks, and your browser history as tools

6. HIT smarts - how to best process the 'hits' list

7. Search trivia, evolving technology, bedtime reading

HIT smarts

You've come a long way to get to this results page, planning your search strategy, etc. So let's use the 'hits' list in the most efficient manner.

Search results pages usually don't come back as fast as normal Web pages because the search engine has to process your query and then dynamically build the first results pages. Subsequent pages are built and sent only as you request them.

1. Open search results links in a new browser window, Right mouse + New Browser (CTRL + N). Most search results pages are coded not to be stored in cache. If you follow a link from the search 'results' page just by clicking on it and then use the BACK button, the search results page has to be recreated -- wasting your time. Once you're done with the new browser window, press CTRL + W to quickly close it.

2. When you are viewing the page that may contain your information don't begin reading, looking for your keywords. Rather user your browser's FIND feature. In Netscape it is under EDIT | Find in Page (CTRL + F).

3. When your search brings back 100+ hits.... after sampling the first 10-20, you are better off revising your search, than continuing through the original list.

4. When you find a site that looks good, bookmark it or just print the first page. Concentrate on the hunt. Read the details later.

5. If the URL contains a tilde ('~') this usually indicates a 'personal' page. Depending upon what you are looking for, you can link to it, Right mouse + New Browser (CTRL + N) or ignore it without looking at it.

6. Don't be too proud. Even if this is your 'regular' search engine, a quick review of the search HELP pages may give you a clue for improving your search.

Don't be shy, even if all you say is "Hi!".