The extreme searcher's Internet handbook : a guide for the serious searcher /

This useful guide to the Internet is worthy of purchase by any type of library. The question is whether libraries with the first edition (2004) should get the second. Hock (Internet trainer, searching guru, and former reference librarian) has added 50 pages to the new edition, deleted out-of-date information, and devoted two chapters instead of one to search engines. Now goodies like Grokker, Froogle, and Google Earth are described in detail. Other second-edition enhancements include information on Web 2.0, Weblogs, RSS, and audio/video sites. The author retains his clear writing style, nice glossary, and handy surfing tips. One or two typographical errors are present. More figures are needed, especially when describing mash-ups or advanced searching features for The Internet Public Library . Minor criticisms aside, this book should be required reading for librarians, online professionals, and anyone else who wants to get the most out of the Internet. Its online equivalent, The Extreme Searcher's Web Page is handy but should be updated more frequently. Is this new edition needed yet? Yes. Is a new title needed? Definitely. This resource is really "what every searcher should know"--a valuable addition for any library. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels. K. Condic Oakland University

The Internet offers vast amounts of information from reliable to questionable, and wading through all the findings can be daunting. librarian Hock's (Yahoo! To the Max; The Traveler's Web: An Extreme Searcher's Guide to Travel Resources on the Internet) work offers readers a wealth of tips to aid in faster and more effective searching. This revised update of the popular work contains recent additions and includes information on social networking, e.g., LinkedIn and Twitter, specialized sites, and improved features. The ten chapters range from "Basics for the Serious Searcher" to "Your Own Place on the Web: Participating and Publishing." He begins with a discussion of the early Internet, including a time line and a short list of Internet-history resources. Interesting tidbits are highlighted in sidebars, while numerous screenshots add interest. A chart in Chapter 4 comparing the features of four popular search engines is more confusing than clarifying. Chapter 7 deals with the wealth of images and audio and video files available to the public. Several beneficial websites for storing and sharing are included. Chapter 9 provides "Five Tips for Buying Safely," reminding readers that if "they follow precautions online purchases should be reasonably secure." While the majority of the handbook covers using the Internet to find information, Chapter 10 focuses on providing material to others, looking at blogs, podcasting, and building your own web presence. Students will appreciate the resource's clear writing style and its practical suggestions for evaluating the quality of websites. Verdict The affordable price and straightforward content make this a worthwhile purchase for high school and college students, writers, and most circulating collections.-Bobbie Wrinkle, -McCracken Cty. P.L., Paducah, KY (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.