[Oz-gifted] computer competition

[Ellen Hrebeniuk]

At 9:30 AM +1000 6/4/06, Michelle Gabriel wrote:
>Hi Ellen,
>Can you tell me what a "subject gateway" is?

A subject gateway is a reputable website with a list of useful links 
to a particular subject.  Unfortunately there is no complete 
directory of subject gateways, but here is one directory of academic 
subject gateways:

http://www.hw.ac.uk/libwww/irn/pinakes/pinakes.html

>And why you think "Google" is not IT people's friend?

It isn't *anyone's* friend for a subject keyword search (eg, looking 
up information on heart attacks).  Unfortunately, that's what most 
people use it for, which is a waste of time.  OTOH Google is very 
good if you are searching for a poem and can only remember a line, or 
something similar -- put in a string of text (in quotes) and you will 
most likely find the full text.  Similarly, put in the title of an 
article you are hunting for and if it is available online for free, 
you will probably get it.

The "I'm feeling lucky" button takes you straight to Google's No.1 
result for that search, so if you are looking for a world-famous 
institution/organisation, eg "Sydney Opera House", you can put that 
in and go straight there, rather than via the results page.  You can 
also limit to Australia in combination with "I'm feeling lucky".

So -- rather than Googling "heart attack", you are better off heading 
straight for the National Heart Foundation website, or Health Insite 
(Aussie govt-sponsored health information for the public).  On of my 
favourite tips is that you should consider if there is a reputable 
organisation that provides information on your topic.  Go to their 
site, rather than stuffing around with Google results.

Note that I'm talking only about Google's web search here.

For further information, I recommend Maureen Henninger's books, 
particularly Don't Just Surf.
-- 
Ellen Hrebeniuk
Sydney, Australia

Being a librarian is how you change the world.
Nancy Pearl