Review by Choice Review
Bradley, an Internet consultant in Britain, offers a practical guide on searching the Internet. He discusses the differences in search engines, the attractiveness of intelligent agents, the quality of virtual libraries, and the usefulness of discussion lists. His writing style--clear, precise, and a joy to read--is repeated at his Web site , which also contains much useful information about Internet searching. Although the book is billed as an "advanced manual," one need only know how to type in a URL to use it effectively. Librarians and information professionals will appreciate some of the explanations, but others may trip over the library jargon even though the intended audience is "everyone who needs to find information quickly." In his conclusion, Bradley assembles 30 tips for better searching that range from URL guessing to the use of the Netscape "find" feature. The British version has the title The Advanced Internet Searcher's Handbook (London, 1999). Although a bit pricey and containing fewer search illustrations than Shirley Duglin Kennedy's Best Bet Internet (CH, Jan'99), this book complements others in the field. Recommended for public and academic libraries of all levels. K. Condic; Oakland University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
The information specialist who wishes to tap into the 320 million (and growing) available web pages may need help finding a starting point. Enter Bradley, formerly with SilverPlatter and now a private consultant, and his authoritative manual. Searchers of all experience levels can follow Bradley's approach to finding information, learning to locate documents on the web in a variety of subjects, how search engines and intelligent agents work, and how to use Internet resources that the average searcher may overlookÄvirtual libraries, databases, newsgroups, and mailing lists. One chapter provides 30 browser tips and tricks. An appendix lists all URLs mentioned in the book. Bradley's volume is comparable to Robert I. Berkman's Find It Fast: How To Uncover Expert Information on Any Subject (HarperCollins, 1997). By avoiding jargon, it is also more user-friendly than Reva Basch's Secrets of the Super Net Searchers (Professional Media, LJ 2/1/97).ÄRaymond Hamel, Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Ctr. Lib., Madison (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Designed to assist information professionals, this book succeeds on many levels. The introduction is a good overview of the Internet and how it can best be used. Bradley then goes into detail about the various types of search engines, other database resources, virtual libraries, intelligent agents, Usenet newsgroups, and mailing lists. He includes some sample searches, discusses the commercial aspects of the Internet, and describes what he sees as its future developments. Especially helpful are the last two chapters, which include "Thirty tips and hints for better and quicker searching" and "Sources for further help and assistance." The URLs mentioned are printed in bold type at the end of each chapter for easy access, and also listed in an appendix. Interesting "DID YOU KNOW?" facts and "HINTS AND TIPS" can be found in the sidebars. The writing is clear and easy to understand. Librarians will use the wealth of resources in this book for a long time to come.-Linda Wadleigh, Oconee County Middle School, Watkinsville, GA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by School Library Journal Review
