the world wide web

Search Engines

There are basically three ways to find something on the internet: typing www.name-of-service.com into your browser, following links to your destination or of course using a searchable database that is full of links (a search engine). Some of the better search engines are listed below:

• Google

Our current favourite, Google just seems to give the answer you want more often than the competition.
• Yahoo!

The original and still the most successful, Yahoo! uses a category-based system to store its links, which must be submitted for manual checking. If you want to find an official company or organisation, use Yahoo.
• Altavista

One of the more popular automated search engines, this site uses an automated 'robot' which follows links arond the Web. This results on more entries than the Yahoo! method, but as these are not vetted by humans, they can be less relevant in some circumstances.
• Lycos

Another automated search engine, it has the same advantages and drawbacks as Altavista.
• Dogpile

This is a 'meta' search engine. This means that it takes your search criteria and questions other search engines, of many different types. This can provide a very effective way of finding out about wider questions.
• Ask Jeeves

This is another meta search engine, with the gimmick being that it claims to understand real english questions. Try asking it about the meaning of life, or whether God exists.

Browser Software

There are a number of different software packages available for browsing the web. Most are free; here are links to homepages and downloads of the most popular packages.

	Microsoft Internet Explorer Microsoft bundle this browser with their operating system, Windows. It is also free to download from their web site. Most Web users run a version of this software, with versions available for both PC and Mac.
	Netscape At one point the leaders of the Browser wars, Netscape now have a much smaller share of the market than Microsoft. Version 6 of their Netscape Navigator browser is expected soon. Their browser is free to download from their web site. Versions are available for PC, Mac and UNIX (including Linux).
	Neoplanet A fast and sleek-looking browser with provision for changing its' appearance using similar skin technology to Winamp. Free to download and use, it provides a very good alternative to either of the main browsers.

Plugins for Browser Software

Although HTML is a very powerful tool for page description, often there is a need to extend the functionality of browsers. This is achieved through the use of plugins. Some often-used plugins are listed below:

• Flash Player

This is the plugin which enables browsers to play Flash movies, such as the intro to our site. Most browsers come with this plugin already installed.
• Ipix viewer

Ipix technology allows users to view 360 degree photographs. These are created by the special Ipix method, and can be taken wherever a tripod can be placed.
• Realplayer

Allows your browser to understand realaudio and realvideo streaming content. This is a special way of providing audio and video in real time over the internet. Again, this plugin is often bundled with browsers.

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