eNew Egypt
Search engines pay off like bad
slot machine!
By Vince Lotito
Wednesday, February 3, 2000
Over the past couple of weeks I've tried to explain the activity of
searching the Internet. I guess it can be best summed up by a quote from
Winston Churchill, who once said, "It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside
an enigma." Although Winston Churchill never searched the Internet, I'm certain
that if he had he would certainly agree.
Most search engine users
typically enter a keyword or two, cross their fingers, click search, close
their eyes, hope and wait for the payoff. It's as if they where playing a slot
machine in Atlantic City. And to add insult to injury, with a strategy like
this, search engines are like bad slot machines, they'll never pay off.
So then, how do you search the Internet? The key to
searching the Internet lies in the use of the keywords used to question or
query the search engine. Keywords are the most fundamental and yet the most
difficult aspect of an Internet searches. Yes, there are many other things that
like 'Boolean' and query operators that will impact the degree of your success
(and failure for that matter); however, the use of keywords are the single most
important aspect of the Internet search
Typically, most people use an
average of 1.5 words in their query, which undoubtedly pays off like a bad slot
machine. The trick is to provide enough keywords in your query so the results
are clearer and more meaningful. I recommend developing queries that have at
least 7 or 8 keywords in them.
Your first few searches may seem a bit
difficult; however, you'll find that mastering the concepts behind a search is
not as complicated as may seem at first. Creating keywords for you query is
very much like solving a mystery. You have bits and pieces of information,
however you need to be able to ask the right questions in order to find the
answers.
If you are new to searching, then before searching, I
encourage you to write down your topic in the form of questions. You could
begin by listing what you do know. Who, what, where, when, how and why? For
example, you saw an unusual bird flying above Main Street and wondered what
kind it was. You could start by listing what we know. Who/What -- gray and
white bird, about the size of a crow, yellow and black beak. Where? Flying
above Main Street, New Egypt NJ. When, day time, in the Winter. How? Flying
fast, chasing a pigeon. Why, bird of prey? Blown of course? Got lost flying
south? Following the pigeon for directions? Now armed with this basic
information, how many keywords can use to search with?
Next week I will
continue to discuss additional concepts relating to keywords and the
fundamentals for searching the Internet. Until then, keep well and God
Bless.
Quick Clicks - Interesting and Helpful Web Sites
www.computer.com -- a site to help make
technology easier and more fun, learn about your computer, resolve problems,
have your questions answered, and even an option to get free internet service.
www.learnto.com -- a provider of
learning solutions using interactive technology, offering a full spectrum of
learning solutions directly to the desktop anytime, anywhere.
www.hgtv.com -- the Home & Garden Television
web site. Get top tips from homebuilders, re-modelers, decorators, interior
designers, gardeners, craft experts, and lifestyle hosts.
Vince Lotito is President & Founder of Internet eBusiness
Solutions Center, a business and technology firm based in New Egypt. Have any
questions you want answered but were afraid to ask? Drop me an email at
eNewEgypt@mainstreetsusa.com or call 758-8858 |
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