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Search Strategies Advanced Search This is useful when you anticipate mixed results from word combinations and phrases. For example, a search for "senior citizens hospital." This is where Boolean logic comes in handy. The three operators of Boolean logic are and, or, not. All major search engines use Boolean logic although they vary in the use of syntax. The default for most is and though some search engines will also interpret the plus sign +, and others respond to "quotes." Here is a graphic sample from Infoseek of advanced searching using a form of Boolean logic:     Five-Steps + 2 The University of California, Berkeley has detailed tutorials for finding things in the Internet. One of these is a five-step search strategy which is as follows: Analyze your topic Pick the right starting place (search site) Learn as you go and vary your approach as you learn Don't bog down in any strategy that doesn't work Return to previous strategies better informed We'll add two more. Choosing the right search engine is really entirely up to you depending on the information you are looking for. Strategy No. 1 - Understand how a specific search engine works Strategy No. 2 - Find out how a search engine uses search operators like and, or, not.   As addendum to strategy number #4, don't waste your time if the early results miss their mark. Either move to another search site or rephrase your keywords.  Search Sites User Guides It's not that hard though it will take time. Most of the search sites have help sections to guide you. Read these sections first. Below is a list of 10 search sites and what you will find in their help sections:   Subject Directories User Guides & Tutorials About.com Expert Central: How it Works, Power Search, , Knowledge Base, Public Board, Search Tips, How do I ask a Question?, Help LookSmart Help:  Search by Category, Search by Keyword, Specialty Search Options, Search-Engine Guide, Safe Surfing for Kids, How to Submit a Site, LookSmart Email Help, Start with LookSmart, LookSmart Live! Help  Lycos Search Help: General Search Tips, Search Results, Advanced Search Tips,  Boolean Expressions,  SearchGuard, Pictures & Sounds, See More, Computer Viruses  Searching & Shopping Help, Community Help, Personalization Help,Webmaster Support, General Help Yahoo! Yahoo Help Central: General Issues, Help for popular Yahoo features, More help for (from Address Book to Yellow Pages) Search Engines User Guides & Tutorials AltaVista Search Help: New Advanced Search Center, Tutorial Advanced Search, Image Search, MP3/Audio Search, Video Search, Results Pages, Categories, Discussions, News Search, FAQ, Entering Accents, Language Settings, Add/Remove a URL, Add/Remove a FTP, Report Offensive Page, Family Filter, Babel Fish, Download IE 5, Download AltaVista Power Tools, Glossary Excite Search Help: What is Excite Search?, Intelligent Search Advanced Search Tips, Error Messages, General Search Tips, Search Results, Search Wizard,  Google Search Tips: Learn the Basics, Advanced Searching, How to Interpret Results Our Technology: Why Use Google, Advanced Features HotBot Help: Getting Started, Basic Search, Advanced Search, Results Page, Directory, Webmasters' FAQ Infoseek Search Options, How to Search:Introduction, Common questions,  User guide, Searching and browsing for Web sites, Viewing search results, Refining your search, Searching for images, Searching for news and company biographies, Searching Usenet newsgroups, Using GOguardian to filter inappropriate material, Using search operators, Search quick reference, Northern Light Optimize Your Search: Search Techniques, Quick Reference Card, The Results Page, Custom Search Folders™, Power Search Help, Business Search Help, Stock Quotes Search Help, Industry Search Help, Publication Search Help, Current News Help, WEFA Reports Search Help, Investext Search Help, Market Research Help, Alexander Search Help, Barnes & Noble Search Help, Billboard Search Help, Business Journal Search Help,
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