Hidden Universes of Information on the Internet This course is designed for the researcher/analyst who is expected to quickly locate a wide variety of information located anywhere in the world.

Hidden Universes of Information on the Internet
Course Overview:
This course is specifically designed for the researcher/analyst who is expected to quickly find a wide variety of information located anywhere in the online world.  Learn about the Internet’s information spaces, and how to fully search many “Hidden Universes” of information. Techniques for determining the source of online information is covered along with many productivity tips and security advice.

1) Review of Internet Architecture

• Defines; “What is the Internet”, “How big is it?”, “How do users and web sites get connected?” 

• Provides details about Backbone providers, exchange points, and key Internet technologies that enable the Internet to function.

2) Preparing for a search

• Persona Issues: You are leaving “footprints” all over the Internet and are being monitored! You MUST explicitly understand the persona you are giving off, as you explore other people’s web sites.  Strengths and weaknesses of various Internet connection methods are discussed, as well as techniques for minimizing the information you “leak” to web masters.

• Organizing your search terms

• An easy method for exploring dozens of web pages simultaneously in parallel web browser windows.

3) Search Tools

• Most search tools can be classified as one of three types of online resource: Directories, Search engines, and Virtual Libraries.

•  Learn the strengths and weaknesses for each of these search tools, and know when to apply these tools against specific types of search terms.

•  Advanced search options are illustrated, which can be used for very clever searches.

4) Specialized Search Resources

• The BULK of the Internet’s high quality, very detailed content is “hidden” in specialized databases which are mostly invisible to generic search engines such as Google and Alta-Vista.  Discover thousands of specialized search resources which focus on specific topics, specific formats, or even specific countries.

5) Source Evaluation

• You’ve found, bookmarked and printed many web pages. Now find out who published the content you’ve found on the Internet.  Unique Internet search tools are presented which enable you to find out “Who is” the owner of a domain name, or to “trace” the network “route” to a web server.  Learn how domain names are allocated from every individual country.

6)  “Industry tour”

• Dozens of sites are demonstrated which show just how much information related to your industry is on the Internet.

7) Summary – Topics are reviewed, and future search tools are mentioned.

Note: This course may be taught as 1-day course in a large lecture/demo venue, or as a 2-day course for a smaller, hands-on environment.  In the hands-on scenario, students choose their own unique topic to search for, using the many different search tools/techniques.  At the end of class, students print/copy/email their bookmarked discoveries to work or home addresses as appropriate.

Many course Alumni have referred to this course as “the single best course of their entire career.”   Be prepared to absorb a wealth of information and techniques which will enable you to quickly locate almost any scrap of information you might ever need in your work or personal life.

Note for my Alumni: Your referrals are always appreciated