The internet can be a huge and scary informational jungle for a non-expert.
Given the enormous amount of information that the internet contains, this is no
surprise. There are things that one can do though, to make their quest for
knowledge easier. When looking for a specific item in this cyberactive library
it is easier to have a plan, and then focus on a particular subject. Most
likely, using a search tool will be your first means of finding what it is that
you need. When using a search tool for the first time it is best to develop a
general understanding of it. First, get to know how it works, and the type of
language used when dealing with it. For example, each search tool usually has
its own unique criteria, thus making the search for information that much more
difficult. Responses to a particular query can vary greatly from search tool to
search tool. Also the same query sent by the same inspection tool may come up
with various responses from day to day, because web pages are constantly being
added, removed, and updated. You will find, if you consistently use the
internet, that things will become much less difficult for you as your experience
broadens. The very first time I used the internet I was very intimidated, and
thought that anyone who could use such an elaborate thing must be a genius. The
many search tools and the complexities of their use baffled me. Now, I zip
around the information highway like a whiz kid, and I have come to view the
whole thing as one huge library. To speed up your searches, bookmark your
favorite search tools for future use. You can also bookmark certain helpful
sites while you are searching, so that you can come back to them later without
wasting time by searching for them again. By bookmarking sites you eliminate the
risk of typing errors when the address or URL is long and complicated. When you
are in a hurry and you come across long articles it is helpful to copy the
article on the clipboard and then paste it to the word processing window to read
or print at a later time. When you are not rushed you may come back to the
article and decide which parts, if any, you wish to keep for future reference.
Some, like my father, say that the internet is the doorway to the devil. Others
say it is an impossible, confusing, and frustrating piece of trash, but I say
that when used properly it is a great tool for learning. Many times it has been
a lifesaver when I needed information quickly, and did not have the time to go
to the library. Yes, it is confusing for people who do not understand it, but
like learning to ride a bike the more you try the better you become. Suddenly
the jungle can become your backyard, and the novice can become a wizard.