Toolkit Part 6

Toolkit Objectives

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Describe the characteristics of the Internet and the World Wide Web Formulate an Internet search strategy, and evaluate your requirements, choose a proper tool, assess the quality of the results, and download virus-free results Explain how to use search engines, subject directories, and the invisible Web to locate the information you require

Toolkit Objectives

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Demonstrate advanced search techniques, including Boolean logic and Venn diagrams Describe other Internet communication resource tools, including newsgroups, newsletters, mailing lists, Web-based discussion groups, chat rooms, and instant messaging Provide examples of IT community resources and their value to a systems analyst Explain the benefits and disadvantages of online learning opportunities

Introduction

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The Internet offers a wealth of information about every conceivable subject Will describe various Internet resources, assist you in formulating an effective information gathering strategy, and explain Internet resource tools and techniques that you can use to access the information you need

Overview

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Internet World Wide Web or Web Web pages Web site Web server Web browser or browser

Overview

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Some Characteristics of the Internet

– According to a recent Federal Communications Commission estimate, the Internet has more than 40 million Web sites – – Internet mapping According to Lumeta, this data makes it possible to analyze, document, and predict the Internet’s growth and behavior

Overview

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Summary of Internet Resources and Tools

– Many navigation tools are available to you – Search Engines • Meta-search engines – – – Subject Directories The Invisible Web Internet Communication Resources

Formulating an Internet Research Strategy

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To be effective, you should consider a four-step approach:

1.

Evaluate your information requirements 2.

3.

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Match your information requirements to the proper tool Assess the quality of the results Download the results and perform a virus scan

Formulating an Internet Research Strategy

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Evaluate Your Information Requirements

– The first step to finding the information you need is to make sure you really understand what you are seeking – Start with a more generalized search instead of going directly to vendor sites

Formulating an Internet Research Strategy

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Match Your Information Requirement to the Proper Tool

– Once you feel that you understand the information required, it is time to pick an initial tool – As with most skills, the more you use them, the more expertise you acquire – Will develop your own list of favorite sites and resources

Formulating an Internet Research Strategy

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Assess the Quality of the Results

– By definition, the Internet is essentially open and unregulated – Questions to ask when accessing content include: • • • • • Source Accuracy Scope - Sub-search Currency Look and Feel

Formulating an Internet Research Strategy

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Download the Results and Perform a Virus Scan

– Once you have discovered the appropriate information, you can save it to your hard drive or network – Many sites allow you to click a link and download the file directly to your hard drive – It is important to protect your network and computer system from any unwanted viruses

Search Engines

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Search Engine Basics

– – – – – Spider Indexing Keywords Hits Pay for performance

Search Engines

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Search Engine Basics

– – – – Sponsored links Subject-Specific Popularity Indexed Search Engines Meta-Search Engines

Search Engines

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Search Techniques

– Consider the following suggestions when you begin a search: • • • Refine your topic Translate your question into an effective search query Review the search results and evaluate the quality of the results

Search Engines

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Advanced Search Techniques

– These features can include the option to search within returned results and the ability to search within specific areas, such as newsgroups – – – Boolean logic Logical operators Venn diagram

Search Engines

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Advanced Search Techniques

– – – OR AND NOT • You should use the NOT operator carefully, because the term you want to exclude may be intertwined with the term you seek in many documents that would be useful to you

Search Engines

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Advanced Search Techniques

– Using phrases • • • Phrase Implied Boolean logic Advanced search

Search Engines

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A Search Checklist

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Does the topic have any unique words, phrases, or acronyms?

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Do any of the search terms have other spellings or names?

3.

Are certain additional words or phrases likely to appear in any Web document?

Search Engines

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A Search Checklist

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5.

6.

Is there any unrelated material that my search terms might pick up?

Are any organizations, publications, or institutions likely to have an interest in my topic?

Is the search returning results too numerous to examine?

Subject Directories

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A subject directory collects and organizes Web sites in a top-down format Portal Many subject directories are reviewed by human experts, rather than computer robots, to ensure relevance and quality of links

Subject Directories

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A Subject Directory Example

– Subject directories organize information into various categories and provide an overall framework for finding information – In addition to Yahoo!, other popular subject directories include About.com and the Librarians’ Index to the Internet

Subject Directories

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Subject Directories

– The main advantage of a subject directory is that it provides an overview – – – Many subject directories use human expertise This process involves subjective decisions A subject directory forces you to work your way through a series of levels, rather than using specific words and phrases to locate directly the material you seek

The Invisible Web

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Visible Web Hidden Web or deep Web Much of the invisible Web is open to the public, but some databases are password protected Spidering

The Invisible Web

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Invisible Web Examples

– – – – – – – – Specialized topic databases Hardware and software vendors Publications Libraries Government databases Auction sites Locators Career opportunities

The Invisible Web

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Navigation Tools for the Invisible Web

– – – Use a search engine to locate a portal Using specialized portals You might want to use special navigation software to assist you – Z39.50 protocol

Internet Communication Resources

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Suppose that you are asked to analyze your organization’s virus protection requirements As part of your research you would want to learn about relevant news, developments, and the latest virus threats You can consider using newsgroups, newsletters, mailing lists, Web-based discussion groups, chat rooms, and instant messaging

Internet Communication Resources

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Newsgroups

– – – – – Usenet Threads Newsreader FAQs Netiquette

Internet Communication Resources

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Newsletters

– Some newsletters are published daily, others weekly – Although newsletters are not interactive, they can provide a convenient way to keep current on subjects of interest and developments of interest to the subscriber

Internet Communication Resources

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Mailing Lists

– – Listserv Users can post messages and view postings made by others – A mailing list uses e-mail to communicate with users – – List server Digest

Internet Communication Resources

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Web-Based Discussion Groups

– Most Web-based discussion groups can be accessed through a portal – In addition to text messages, group Web sites often include membership lists and contact information, photo galleries, and links of interest to members – Web-based discussion groups are popular

Internet Communication Resources

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Chat Rooms

– – – Channel IRC – Internet Relay Chat Various companies also provide chat rooms that are available to IT professionals interested in specific topics

Internet Communication Resources

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Instant Messaging

– Although instant messaging began as a popular feature in home-oriented services such as AOL and Yahoo!, it has become an important business communication tool – Raises serious security and privacy concerns because it is relatively uncontrolled

Information Technology Community Resources

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Information technology (IT) community This vast collection includes many sites that IT professionals can use to research specific questions or obtain background information Four important components of the IT community are corporate resources, government resources, professional resources, and online learning resources

Information Technology Community Resources

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Corporate Resources

– An important corporate resource to systems analysts is their own internal company Web site or intranet – An intranet must be easy to access and provide access to valuable information – Intranets can contain company policies and procedures, lessons-learned files, and financial information

Information Technology Community Resources

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Government Resources

– Government sites can provide information on federal, state, and local business policies and regulations – The General Services Agency (GSA) is a good source for federal policies and regulations, especially for firms that do business with the government

Information Technology Community Resources

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Professional Resources

– – Many associations focus on a specific topic Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) – Many associations offer electronic newsletters

Information Technology Community Resources

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Online Learning Resources

– Advances in bandwidth and processing power have made online learning an increasingly attractive option for many IT professionals – – Online learning - e-learning Gov Online Learning Center

Information Technology Community Resources

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Online Learning Resources

– Benefits of online learning • • • Convenient Economical Customizable

Information Technology Community Resources

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Online Learning Resources

– Disadvantages of online learning • • • Interaction Interface Suitability

Toolkit Summary

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The Internet is a worldwide network that integrates many thousands of other networks The primary research tools include search engines, subject directories, and a collection of searchable database resources called the invisible Web An Internet research strategy should use a four-step approach

Toolkit Summary

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The IT community includes corporate, government, professional, and online learning resources Professional development through online learning is a way for IT workers to remain current in their chosen areas

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Toolkit Part 6 complete