If a logical source for information can be identified, go directly to that web site.  If the web address of the site not known, make an educated guess as to the address.  Web addresses of companies are often formatted as www.companyname.com (e.g., www.microsoft.com).  University web addresses are typically formatted as www.universityname or acronym.edu (e.g., www.ilstu.edu or www.iwu.edu).  Likewise, government agency addresses are typically formatted as www.agency name acronym.gov (e.g., www.hud.gov or www.doj.gov).

Librarians at Milner Library have collected and evaluated useful resources in their areas of subject expertise. These resources can be found by selecting the "Specific Subjects" category under Resources by Subject on the Milner Library web site.  Many campus departments have also collected useful web sites in their area. Check the Illinois State University site under Academics.

Directories are best used for locating major resources on a topic and for more general types of research.
Internet directories allow you to navigate through hierarchical subject menus to locate relevant resources. An advantage to using an Internet directory is that the sites are selected and categorized by humans. Once indexed, sites included in a directory are retrieved with a search engine.  Directories typically index only the main (or home) pages of web sites rather than all of the pages of the sites.  Listed below are some Internet directories selected on the basis of frequency of use, positive user reviews, and unique features.  For a more extensive description of each directory see Searching the Internet.

 

Search engines are best used for information that does not fit into one category and for more specific types of research (e.g., a search for a specific fact or name).  A single index to the Internet does not exist.  Search engines offer different ways of locating information on the Internet.   Listed below are some search engines selected on the basis of frequency of use, positive user reviews, and unique features.  For a more extensive description of each search engine see Searching the Internet.

 

Online lists of selected Internet resources are available on virtually every topic imaginable.  Argus Clearinghouse is a large collection of Internet bibliographies. Most guides listed at this site are available in hypertext versions. C&RL NewsNet Internet Resources list bibliographies written by librarians and published monthly in C&RL News. All guides listed at this site are available in hypertext versions. WebWatch lists web bibliographies compiled by librarians and published monthly in Library Journal.

Listservs and newsgroups are good places to see information online from other individuals.  While the terms are often used interchangeably, they technically represent different venues. 

Listservs (also called mailing lists) are topic-specific forums.  Software underlying the system maintains a list of email addresses to which messages are sent.  Listservs generally require a subscription to the list before messages can be received. 

Newgroups (also called usenet or network news) are discussion groups that operate similar to electronic bulletin boards.  Newsgroup messages are distributed to computer sites and can be accessed and read using a newsreader or a web browser.  The messages are not sent to individuals directly via e-mail as they are in listservs.  Messages posted to a newsgroup are typically organized by topic and archived for future access. 

The FAQ file associated with each listserv or newsgroup typically includes important information about participating in the group.  Netiquette suggests that new users consult these FAQ files rather than post questions regarding group operation directly to the list or bulletin board.  A popular directory of online discussion and news groups is Google Groups.