Reviewed on 15th September 1997
Review by Walter Scales
Scout Project's Searching the Internet provides a pleasing one-page 'in' to Internet searching services: pleasing precisely because it is a minimalist screenful, because it clumps searching services into five categories, and because it has links to neat one-page graphical summary sheets, as well as to a short explanation of six common functions of searching services. The page is also aesthetically pleasant and easy to use (except that Scout has not used a fully browser-safe palette of colours). Each category has an obligingly clear line or two of explanatory text - but it is a shame that the categories and their explanations are not quite aligned. And I have never been asked to 'clink' on a link before!
The Scout Searching page is equally appropriate for the novice and experienced user: access to information is rich but succinct, without being either patronising or abstruse. The five categories of searching service are logical, although initially they may not be intuitive: Searchable Indexes, Subject Catalogs, Annotated Directories, Subject Guides, and Specialized Directories. Subject guides are subject-specialist collections usually presided over by a specialist (e.g. Argus Clearinghouse) whereas Specialized Directories offer specialist services (e.g. Usenet Searching Services).
Scout Project's web page "Searching the Internet"
This is a well-maintained resource, with plenty of links to Scout's wonderful main site. The pithy and relevant commentary offered with nearly every resource mentioned is very impressive. Part of the BUBL one is reproduced here:
Provider: BUBL Information Service, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland. Browsable index: Yes Search capabilities: Yes Item submission method: None Selection of Resources/Who Selects? Yes/academic librarians Annotated: Yes, by academic librarians Intended Audience Research and education FAQ: Yes, for the product. Yes, for the searching system.
One also feels a reassuring sense that searching services are manageable and subsumable in the first place! In summary, a "Geet lush!" resource.
Reviewed by: Walter Scales,
Netskills Trainer
http://www.netskills.ac.uk/
Email: walter.scales@newcastle.ac.uk
Material on this page is copyright Ariadne/original authors. This page last updated on 08-Sep-1997