How Can You Find Websites?

Emerging Issues:

Are you looking for that one website with all the information on a subject? The mythical website with all emerging information, exhaustive current links, and comprehensive resources? This can be compared with the search for the Holy Grail, and is just as elusive. One of the most pressing issues is simply finding resources on the Web. It is going to get worse as the web continues to expand. Yet you can usually find highly specific information with little effort if you know how and where to look. You don't have to dredge through a hundred thousand worthless links from some frustrating search engine. (More on search engines in the next issue.) Here are five different strategies for finding helpful websites:

The easiest way to find great websites - by far - is to simply write down the published URLs (Uniform Resource Locators, the Internet addresses) when you see or hear them. Agencies and companies are publishing URLs in newsletters, brochures, news articles, and other paper print. Radio and television announcements frequently provide URLs. Just be sure to copy the complete URL accurately, paying attention to characters and capitalization.

Following the links from a webpage is probably the most common way to find good websites. Simply surfing from a short basic list - a common inclusion on many websites - will often get results. The trick is to always search the complete website for links and resources. There are no universal conventions on how to list links. Good links are often hidden by euphemistic titles such as "More Information" or embedded in graphics. Be thorough and don't rely on just the "links" button.

But how can you start from scratch?

Guessing URLs is an excellent strategy and fun too! It works well if you have an easily identifiable topic such as "Alzheimer's Disease." Start your guess by entering "http://www." and then add a likely keyword such as "alzheimers" and - one at a time - finally add each of the six internet domains: .com, .edu., .net, .gov, .org, and .mil. Two "guessed" URLs would be "http://www.alzheimers.com" and "http://www.alzheimers.org". You can also try dropping the "www." from the URL such as "http://alzheimers.net" This strategy works about half the time and takes very little effort. You'll probably encounter a few "cybersquatters" too. These are firms that have speculatively registered the URL towards later resale. Guessing tends to work well with the .org, .net, and .com domains. (More on "domains" below.)

Have you tried "WebRings"? These are "circles" of websites that are linked together by WebRingÒ software. These coalitions of websites range from a handful of members to groups numbering in the hundreds. You can find a WebRing for almost any given topic. Explore the "http://webring.com" website. It is convenient and easy to search. When you find a WebRing you want to examine, read its index first to decide if it is worth your time. You may also stumble across WebRings accidentally, so it is important to recognize them. When you see commands that include: "Skip Previous, Previous, Next, Skip Next, Random, Next 5, List Sites", you are in one. WebRings should be taken as very serious sources for information on many topics and issues. Their variation and nature is tremendous, and you can find some that are antithetical to our values. The real advantage is that WebRings provide wonderfully convenient lists of topically relevant websites and more lists of links.

Finally, look for "meta-lists", "information gateways" or "clearinghouses." (The terminology isn't exact yet.) These are large compiled lists of websites for specific topics. While smaller than a search engine's database, some are vast and can contain hundreds of links on a topic. Clients, their families, and numerous organizations often create and maintain them. While limited to the dedication and values of the author, a well crafted meta-list that is kept up to date will be far easier to use than any search engine and much more likely to yield useful websites.

Practice Tips:

Ignore that "domain"! American websites generally have URLs from one of six domains: .com for commercial, .mil for military, .edu for educational, .net for network, .org for organizations, and .gov for federal websites. People often get turned off when they see a ".com" because they suspect commercialism. Yet the URL's domain assignment is often a poor indicator of what lies within. A ".com" website might actually be a great non-profit one hosted by a commercial sponsor. Many non-profit websites that would have a .org domain instead have .net designations because they use .net internet service providers (ISPs). The ".mil" websites aren't just a lot of military bases. They play host to veterans hospitals, research organizations, and many other resources. The world of URLs is a lot fuzzier than it once was, though it is still more transparent than phone numbers!

Want to find an official state-level website quickly? Maybe you've heard about an interesting child protective services bill in Wisconsin or a different adoption policy in Arizona. Simply enter "http://www.state." followed by the state's postal abbreviation and then add the domain ".us". Indiana is thus "http://www.state.in.us". This approach works for all American states. Still trying to find Canadian resources for that complex refugee case? Go to http://www.info-canada.com/prov.html

Need to find a specific federal government website? Try the "alphabet soup" approach. Enter "http:// www.". Add the abbreviation for the agency followed by ".gov". For example, "http://www.hhs.gov" will take you to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Substituting "ssa" for "hhs" will take you to the U.S. Social Security Administration's website and so on.

Websites to Visit:

Guessing:

WebRings:

Want to explore one for social work? Try: http://nav.webring.com/cgi-bin/navcgi?ring=800290;list

Meta-Lists: