Keeing up in your field || More imaginative searching

The Internet is vast. And it grows exponentially. Many people feel lost. Even though you may know how to use the advanced features of search engines and subject lists, there is often the perception that you can't keep up. And, besides, you probably have your own special area of interest -- you don't need to keep up with Web sites on every topic, just the ones that will interest you!

There are several approaches you can use.

Scholarly Web sites that are updated constantly There are quite a few Web sites with staff who pretty consistently scour the Internet for new resources. Librarians here at Cabrillo keep their eyes out for the best of these, and we collect and organize them for you! To find which ones we have selected in a special area of interest to you --

1. Go to the Cabrillo College Library homepage <http://libwww.cabrillo.edu>, or use the link at the top left of this Web page
2. Click on Internet Links (third icon down, on left)
3. Select an area of interest to you
4. Check out the links listed as "General Websites"

Academic portals that cover all subjects There are some Web sites that gather and organize high quality Web resources across all academic areas. These are probably the most notable ones:

• Infomine gives access to quality academic resources; selected by librarians
• AllLearn Academic Directories is supported by Oxford, Stanford, Yale universities
• Best Information on the Net from librarians at St. Ambrose Univ.
• Academic Info offers "subject gateways" to selected sources; created and maintained by a (retired) librarian

• Social Science Information Gateway (SOSIG)
• Voice of the Shuttle for humanities research

Join a mailing list to learn about new quality sources

You can sign up to receive regular emails that inform you about new quality Web resources in specific subject areas.

The Internet Scout Project issues "Scout Reports" Click on
NSDL Report Subscriptions at the bottom of the page. For physical sciences, life sciences, math, engineering, and technology.

Infomine offers an Email Alert Service (see bottom of Infomine page). You can select what subject areas you want.

The Web Research Guide covers all science areas. Click on Subscribe to get the weekly Guide.

More imaginative searching If you are already familiar with some materials in your subject field (and even if you're not), you will find it fun and enlightening to use some of the new search engines that group or cluster what has been retrieved. It is hard to describe, but very easy to grasp once you see what's happening. Try out these two search engines with a search for your special area of interest:

• Kartoo -- click to select "world wide web"
• Vivisimo

1. Go to the Cabrillo College Library homepage <http://libwww.cabrillo.edu>
2. Click on Library & Internet Instruction (3rd icon from the bottom, on left)
3. Click on 1. Web Workshops for Fall 2003

Topsy N. Smalley last rev. 10/10/03