The Internet

Search Engines

Definition

A program that searches documents for specified keywords and returns a list of the documents or Web pages where the keywords were found. (more ...)

Search Engines

Subject Directories

Definition

An Internet research tool on the World Wide Web that organizes Internet resources by subject headings and subheadings. The essential difference between search engines and subject directories is that directories involve humans in selecting, describing and organizing Web resources using selective criteria. (more ...)

About.com

Digital Librarian

dmoz - Open Directory Project

Internet Public Library

Librarians' Index to the Internet

Email

Jacksonville Public Library does not offer email accounts to the public. However, you may access web-based email at any of our public access computers.

Recently, free email providers like Hotmail have begun charging for accounts. They still have free account options, they are just harder to spot on the sign up pages.

It is very important when using free email services that you keep track of your password and ID, and also that you delete messages and empty your "trash" on a regular basis. If you lose your password/ID, or if your mailbox becomes too full, you will not be able to access your free email. These free email providers generally don't offer a telephone number you can call for help, which means you'll basically have to start over with a new account.

CAUTION: If you're accessing your free email account from Jacksonville Public Library's public access computers, when you are finished, please log out, then close your browser. This will help to prevent any individual from accessing your email account.

Internet Guides & "How-To..."s

Basic Guide to the Internet
library.albany.edu/internet/internet.html

A basic tutorial covering the Internet, from the Web, E-Mail, Telnet, and FTP to Chat and more. Hosted by the University at Albany, this serves as a brief overview of the capability and power of the Information Superhighway.

Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial
www.lib.berkeley.edu/teachingLib/guides/internet/findinfo.html

Constructed for a University of Berkeley course, this tutorial walks the reader through such topics as the Invisible Web, Subject Directories, Meta-Search Engines, and Boolean logic in order to improve the usability of the Internet.

Google Guide
www.googleguide.com

A tutorial that will help the user maximize his/her skill with the Google search engine. Included are discussions of search histories and strategies, shortcuts and macros, as well as a host of other useful information.

Search Engine Watch
searchenginewatch.com

Search Engine Watch is a forum on the Web devoted to the discussion, promotion, and successful use of Search Engine Technology. Resources include articles on usefulnesss, public news concerning engines, plus ratings and how-to guides.

Searching the Internet
library.albany.edu/internet/search.html

This tutorial explores a variety of tools to help you conduct research on the Internet. Covers three basic types of tools: Subject Directories, Search engines, and the "deep" or "invisible" Web - databases as well as multimedia and other files.

Understanding the World Wide Web
library.albany.edu/internet/www.html

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of Internet servers that supports access to several Internet protocols (connections) on a single interface. Hosted by the University at Albany, this serves as a guide to the different protocols and other useful information.

Website Evaluation Criteria
www.lib.uidaho.edu/instruction/webcriteria.htm

Developed for a course at the University of Idaho, this tool will help users in determining whether an online resource is useful. For example, this tool helps the user judge whether the information contained on a site is valid and unbiased, or seeks an agenda.

World Wide Web Workbook: How to Search the Web
sln.fi.edu/primer/setup.html

The World Wide Web Workbook explores the basics of using the World Wide Web, from browser operation to working with multimedia and graphics..

NOTE: If the browser preferences are to view movies internally, the Workbook instructions will not make sense.

Internet Security

Internet Safety Tips for Children and Teens
jaxpubliclibrary.org/res/net/internetsafety.html

Tips for younger people on how to handle private information, bullying, and public awareness while online.

JavaCool Software
www.javacoolsoftware.com

A Web-based company that distributes free anti-spyware and ad-ware programs.

McAfee
www.mcafee.com/us

Homepage of one of the largest companies dedicated to protecting innocent consumers from malicious software.

Microsoft Antispyware (beta)
www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

The homepage of the newest anti-spyware software from Microsoft.

Secure Florida
www.secureflorida.org

Our Mission: To protect the citizens and economy of Florida by safeguarding our information systems, reducing our vulnerability to cyber attacks, and increasing our responsiveness to any threat.

Social Networking Sites: Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/tech/tec14.htm

The Internet is the world's biggest information exchange: many more people could see your information than you intend, including your parents, your teachers, your employer, the police - and strangers, some of whom could be dangerous. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, has created this list of safety tips for children and adults.

Spyware Warrior
www.spywarewarrior.com

A Web-based company that distributes free anti-spyware programs.

Symantec
www.norton.com

Homepage of the company behind Norton - one of the largest and most reliable anti-virus and other malware software distributors.

Tools

Access WHOIS
www.accesswhois.com

Want to know who owns a particular Domain name? Access WHOIS Domain Information takes the guesswork out of WHOIS lookups by automatically determining the domain registrar and then querying that registrar's WHOIS server all with one simple step.

ICANN
www.icann.org

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is an internationally organized, non-profit corporation that is dedicated to preserving the operational stability of the Internet; to promoting competition; to achieving broad representation of global Internet communities; and to developing policy appropriate to its mission through bottom-up, consensus-based processes.

Internet Scout Project
scout.wisc.edu

Since 1994, the Scout Project has focused on developing better tools and services for finding, filtering, and presenting online information and metadata.

RSS Compendium - RSS Editors
scout.wisc.edu

The RSS Compendium is designed to link you to information about RSS readers, resources, tools, etc...

World Wide Web Consortium
www.w3.org

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential. W3C is a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective understanding.

Wireless Internet

Public wireless network access (WiFi) is currently available at all Jacksonville Public Library locations. WiFi (short for wireless fidelity) uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over limited distances. With this service, patrons may use their own laptop computers to gain access to the World Wide Web on the Internet while visiting a library location.

To read more about the Wireless Internet service provided by Jacksonville Public Library, click here.