The best of these guides, however, are tremendously helpful tools that can save valuable time and frustration, especially at the beginning of a research project. Because there is much money to be made by the commercial enterprises building Web search engines, you can expect these technologies to improve and the scope of the Internet resources they index to expand. Already Alta Vista and Excite, two extremely popular Web search engines, now provide access to the encyclopedic volume of valuable information contained in Usenet news groups. Computer industry predictions suggest that over the next year new personalized information agents will become commonly used search tools. The tradition of scholarship has provided us with a wonderful diversity of tools for accessing knowledge and information.
Technology adds new tools to our toolbox everyday.
For all but the most casual searches, keeping your research options open is a good strategy. GttLs, Web search engines, e-bots, and Clearinghouse guides are all important tools for anyone interested in moving beyond Web surfing to the next level of putting the Internet to productive use. Paul H. Lewis is Government Documents Librarian at the University of South Carolina-Aiken. Hiram C. Barksdale, Jr. and Jack L. Goldstucker, eds. Page last updated March 27, 1997.