How to Find Websites about Anything
The information superhighway has provided society with a plethora of amazing information at our fingertips. Whether you want to research the migration pattern of a snow goose, average rainfall in Northern Idaho or the symptoms of the Swine Flu, you'll find it online!
Follow these simple instructions to access the miracle of the electronic information age! You can learn how to find Websites in minutes.
Open your Web browser. A Web browser is your own little window to the world. It allows Internet users who want to find Websites to search for and review various types of information on the Web. With a Web browser you can find Websites, listen to music, watch videos, look at pictures and more. Find your Web browser on your computer desk top or under "all programs" and double-click. Some of the most popular Web browsers used today are:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Firefox
- Google Chrome
- Opera
- Safari
Once you have opened your Web browser, you will find an address bar at the top of the page. The address bar is a narrow text field at the top of the page. When you open your Web browser, you will see a long string of letters and possibly numbers in the address bar. This is called a URL, URL stands for Universal Resource Locator. Just as you need a physical address to find a business or home your browser needs a URL to find a Website. A Website address generally begins with http://www. You may notice the address bar already contains the "http:" portion of the address.
Locate a search engine. A search engine is a software program that will instantly search all of its available information to find Websites that are most likely to provide you with the information you are looking for. If you want to learn how to find Websites, start with a search engine or Web directories! Some popular search engines and Web directories are:
- Yahoo – www.yahoo.com
- Google – www.google.com
- Lycos – www.lycos.com
- Bing – www.bing.com
- Fast – www.alltheweb.com
- Ask – www.askjeeves.com
Type the URL or Web address of a search engine into the address bar. For example, if you want to use the Google search engine, type www.google.com into the address bar and hit enter. You will know how to find websites in minutes.
Every search engine or Web directory provides a space for you to type in keywords that tell it what to look for. For example, if you are looking for information on basket weaving, type in "basket weaving." Be as specific as possible. If you want to learn to weave baskets with willows, type in "willow basket weaving." Once you enter your search terms, use your mouse to hit the "Search" button or simply hit "Enter" on your computer.
You will be provided with a list of Websites (sometimes thousands of Websites) that offer information about your search topic. The most popular and most relevant Websites are listed first. Browse through the results until you find the information you are looking for.
