You tend to stick with what is familiar to you whilst using your computer in fear that if you do do anything different it may all fall apart. I know I am very familiar with Internet explorer, Google, Adobe, and I did think that they were probably the best programmes or tools out there because they are the most widely used. In this module I discovered that that is not always the case, and while I did already have some of the tools suggested in the module, I learnt a lot about other tools out there that can help with research.
I am a little bit weary when it comes to downloading programmes for a few reasons, one is, are they going to take up too much space on my hard drive, and make my already slug-like lap top even slower? Am I increasing my chances of getting a virus? Will I be able to un-install them easily if I decide I no longer want them? And most importantly are there going to be hidden charges somewhere that I am going to have to pay for?
All of the programmes suggested in the module were quick and easy to download, even with the ever doubtful Internet connection we have here in the UAE. None of them gave me a virus! And all have a little unistallation tag for quick removal! Here is what I found :
Media Players
I already had all three media players (Apple, Windows, Real Time) installed on my computer, this is due to my downloading of songs and movies from Lime Wire, the media I download is almost always in one of the mentioned formats, so having all three downloaded allows me to easily and quickly access my downloads. My preferred Media player would be the Apple Quick Time player, it is easy to use and compatible with my ipod permitting me to download any media i have onto my ipod.
I do use all three on a regular basis though, and find them all quite similar apart from some format differences.
Search Manager/Combiners
Google Google Google! It is what I have always used, and I am very faithful to it, little did I know about search combiners, they are really fantastic! While they take a little longer than Google, the results seem to be a little more accurate. I did not find Glooton as user friendly as Copernic, it is very slow with my connection and the layout was unfriendly!
Copernic was however very simple, all information is layed out for you to see, I really liked the fact that it told you which search engines it was searching, so you can later on go and check them separately if needed. The history section is also very useful, it keeps a record of your last searches so you can access them easily at a later date, it also informs you of how popular the website is and how relevant it is to your search.
I have to say that Glooton is going to be uninstalled!!
Book Mark ManagersBookmark buddy is an extremely useful tool, I often find myself having to go into my Favourites Internet Explorer and deleting rows of Favourites because I can not find the one I want, while favourites do have the options to create folders, Bookmark buddy has a better layout, it is all there in front of you, a simple format, easily read and easily accessible. I will be keeping this as an added programme. I know have all my favourite websites in files and categories that I can get to easily!
Searching Engine Task
Copernic Search
46 results were found
- www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced/
- www.worldcatlibraries.org/wcpa/ow/91c9a2dda65d585fa19afeb4da09e526.html
- www.cws.internet.com/article/1254
- www.eserver.org/courses/w01/tc510/orange/advanced_users.pdf
- http://www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced/saveweb.html
- http://www3.uwm.edu/sce/course.cfm?id=6835
Google Search
121,000,000 results were found- www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced/
- www.vicnet.net.au/training/advance.html
- www.uwm.edu/sce/course.cfm?id=6835.
- www.newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/global/asiapac/news/2005/pr_09-21.html
- www.msen.com/1997/adv_links.html
Using Boolean search methods on Google, my regular search engine was more effective than using it on Copernic, Copernic claims that it uses the Booleam method automatically when you enter a search subject. Even though Copernic deas use the Bollean method, it does occasionally come back with different results if you enter, "or", "and".
Search Words Used for Google
"internet user or advanced"
220,000,000 results
Results found that were useful:
"internet users and advanced"
104,000,000 results
Results found that were useful:
"advanced users and internet"
241,000,000 results
Results found that were useful:
Search Words Used for Yahoo
"advanced internet users"
56,100,000 results
Results that were useful:
- www.k12science.org/tutorials/advanced
- www.weblogpage.com/wendils101
- www.users.bigpond.net.au/home.htm
"advanced users and internet"
56,200,000 results
Results that were useful:
"Internet users and advanced"
56,200,000 results
results that were useful:
Search words used for Copernic
"Internet users or advanced"
46 results
"internet users and advanced"
43 results
I have not yet discussed my search methods with fellow students, though I have come to my own conclusion that whilst the Boodean search method would have helped a great deal a few years ago, I think it now comes included in the web searches, I searched many times using all the different methods and came up with the same results, all search engines tend to give you pages and pages of results with any of the words included, I did think the Boodean method was meant to eliminate that, it does not seem to though. Search engines have become sophisticated enough to find the articles and web sites that relate most with you search entry.
