Sometimes searching for information online can be like trying to find a needle in a whole stack of haystacks!

Good question. The answer is, complex databases called search engines and subject directories. But before we get to how they work, let's look at why we need these powerful tools.

1,000,000,000 Reasons for Search Engines

Basically, it's chaos. But that's okay. There are tools available to help lasso the information you're looking for, cowpoke. They're called search engines and subject directories.

Start Your Engines

Think of a search engine as a trip to a sandwich shop. Instead of looking for a specific webpage, you're looking for lunch. You belly up to the counter and say, simply, "turkey rye bread mustard." Almost immediately, you are swamped with thousands of different types of sandwiches that can be made using those ingredients. It's that easy with a search engine. Just type in the words or phrase you are looking for, and watch the results roll in. But hey — tell 'em to go easy on the mustard.

Using a search engine can be like a visit to a sandwich shop. Simply type in your "ingredients," sit back, and watch the results roll in.

There are a lot of search engines out there, and they all work in different ways. Some search engines — like Yahoo! — require that webmasters register their sites, with the search engine's database in order for them to be returned as search results. Others rely on technologies that take into account various statistics, such as how many people link to a page.

If you pick any two search engines and enter the same term — "skateboarding," for example — then you can be sure they will turn up different results. While many of the same sites will be listed by different search engines, many will not. And remember, the first skateboarding site on the list isn't necessarily the best skateboarding site — or the worst, for that matter. Expect to do a little comparison and some exploration of the results you receive.

You also need to consider the words you use to search. A search for just the word "skateboarding" will yield a ton of results that may or may not lead you to the information you crave. Be sure to tell the search engine exactly what you want through your choice of keywords. If you want to learn more about the history of skateboarding, try searching for "history of skateboarding." If you're looking for a place to skateboard in Washington, DC, search for "skateboarding Washington, DC."

The more you tell the search engine, the more it will tell you.

Things to Think About When Searching the Web

• It's likely that searches will turn up more than just one website. This not only increases the chances of finding something, it also increases the likelihood that you'll find what you're actually looking for.
• Let this be your searching motto: "Give and ye shall receive." The more specific your search is, the more helpful and informative your results will be.
• This one is vital: when you use a search engine, you aren't searching the "live" Internet; rather you're accessing an existing database that was compiled some time before your search takes place. In other words, you aren't searching the entire Web — just a portion of it.
• Books don't crash. Computers do. Sometimes you won't be able to access the information you are looking for because the server it is stored on has gone kaput. Don't rely on the Web — the material you need might not be accessible when you need it.
• If all else fails — turn off your computer. A quick trip to the local library will often yield more accurate and reliable information. And the library's "search engines" — the card catalogue and the librarian — will always come back with relevant results.

Instructions: The words in the word list on the right are hidden in the puzzle, always reading in a straight line — across, down, or diagonally, backward or forward. When you locate a word in the puzzle, click and drag in the puzzle from its first letter to its last letter. If you get stuck, click on a word in the word list, then click on "Help" to reveal all locations of the word's first letter in the puzzle. Click Here!

"Direct Me If I'm Wrong ... ": Subject Directories

Essentially, subject directories are organized lists. Whereas a search engine goes through a whole heap of pages and returns links that may or may not be topical, subject directories provide lists of relevant links organized by topic.

So how is it that the links found in a subject directory are so relevant? Lean in close and I'll tell you the secret: it's people!

Subject directories are maintained by human beings, which means the links you'll find there are generally much more "on target" than those found by search engines.

"Most cats think that all they have to do to surf the Net is sit on the keyboard, but it's more complicated than that. You need to walk back and forth over the keys until your Internet tools work." -from Internet for Cats by Bubbles the Cat

The drawback here is that while a search engine can sift through a billion pages in less than 10 seconds, a subject directory is limited to the entries that its editors have seen and then placed in the directory. Also, subject directories generally link to the front page of a site, whereas search engines look at the individual pages that make up a site. So while a search engine might help you find a specific page about an obscure battle, the subject directory will most likely find you a nice site about the war.

Subject directories are everywhere, despite the relative unpopularity of the term "subject directories." Perhaps people prefer the term "search engine" because it conjures up images of drag racers, revving their motors and getting ready to slam on the gas at the flash of the green. Strangely enough though, the most popular search engine — Yahoo! — is also a subject directory. A visit to Yahoo! will reveal tons of categories available for you to peruse, and thousands — if not millions — of sub-categories. There are dozens of comprehensive subject directories out there. For a start, try Looksmart (www.looksmart.com), About.com (www.about.com), or the Open Directory Project (www.dmoz.org).

The Magic of Meta-searching

Now for a quick review:

Question: Which is a real search engine? Yeehaw! Yahoo! Yikes! YoYo!

Question: Which of the following words best describes the Internet. The Internet is ... Gargantuan. Searchable. Easy to use. Cuddly.

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