CLIS529 Links From Textbook
Chapter 2 - Getting the Most out of the Web

Browsers

The two most popular web browsers are available at Netscape and Internet Explorer.

Other browser options

Many Macintosh users prefer a browser called Cyberdog or a newer Mac browser called iCab.

The ActivatorDesk browser claims to be one of the fastest browsers and includes a multi-search feature to simultaneously search major search engines as well as quick-access to many other sources.

Clickgarden is a browser that helps you to organize content at the same time.

The Neoplanet browser features a high level of user customization.

Opera is a practical alternative to either Netscape or Internet Explorer. It's easy to use and very efficient.

Navigating basics

Share your bookmarks with a friend

Best Bookmarks  -  allows you to store your bookmarks online.

Backflip   -  also allows you to store bookmarks online.

Portal sites

About.com  -  a web resource with a human face, links to various online resources. Check out the "Guide to Web Searching."

LookSmart  -  an easy-to-navigate directory of higher-quality web sites.

Lycos  -  the grandfather of Internet gateway sites. One of the original search engines, Lycos has managed to keep pace with changes on the Net, and is currently a portal site, providing access to stock information, horoscopes, news information, and online shopping.

Scout Report Archives  -  funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, this site provides 10,000+ annotations of carefully selected Internet sites and mailing lists.

Pandia Plus  -  In addition to its directory, Pandia Search Central has a number of search tutorials, a list of online radio stations and a newsfinder.

Search.com  -  Find out about different search engines, plus the best sites for arts, science, media, sports, and a good selection of other topics.

Sympatico   -  A Canadian portal site with excellent links to news, discussion groups, general interest topics, and a nice collection of computer tips and tutorials.

Yahoo!   -  for many people, Yahoo! is a favorite starting point on the web.

Dancing with your browser: Other Internet applications

Streaming and other media

To listen to RealAudio, you must download and install a Real player. This helper application is available free from Real.com. Also, there are live broadcasts available from police scanners in many cities, including New York and Los Angeles at Live Police Broadcasts.

Try these sites to sample RealAudio broadcasts that are currently available:
BBC World Business Report
Broadcast Live Radio and television from around the world.
CBC Radio
National Public Radio
Pandia Radio Search  -  Radio broadcasts from around the world.
Wired for Books  -  Lectures, book & poetry readings, and children's stories from the Ohio University's Telecommunications Center's web site.
Real Guide

MP3

The RealPlayer can play MP3 files, but there are other MP3 players available from Tucows and Winamp, which offers a popular freeware MP3 player.

MP3.com  -  offers an installer program to help new users get started.

Video on the Web

You can download free video players at either QuickTime or RealPlayer

C-SPAN   -  public affairs programming.

Columbia News Multimedia Archive  -  a selection of web videos from Columbia University.

Court TV  -  live broadcasts and video archives for high-profile court cases.

Discovery Channel Canada  -  Science, technology, nature, and adventure.

FedNet   -  hearings, debates, and press conferences. A subscription is required for access to archived material.

Journal E Media Lab  -  for the latest in online storytelling technology. Includes a QuickTime video.

Research Channel OnAir  -  a 24/7 webcast from a group of research universities.

Travel View  -  video clips for more than forty destinations.

Yahoo!broadcast  -  the video channel at Broadcast.com includes a good selection of educational broadcasts.

Web conferencing

Delphi Forums  -  Delphi can put you in touch with forums on topics ranging from bioethics to frugal living.

Forum One   -  search for discussions using a keyword, or sample one of the recommended forums.

Hungry Minds  -  offers mini-courses and invites you to participate in a "knowledge-sharing" group.

Salon Magazine: Table Talk  -  lively discussion and regular guest speakers.

Sympatico Discussion Forums  -  a good resource for accessing Canadian discussion groups.

Utne Cafe  -  a number of print magazines, such as the Utne Reader, also support discussion forums of interest to their readers.

The Well   -  a long-standing online conferencing forum. Participation currently costs $10 per month.

Yahoo Groups   -  sample existing online communities or set up your own.

Online chat

Tools such as ICQ and Microsoft MSN Messenger are desktop messaging tools called "instant messaging software."

Macintosh users can try ICQ 3.02 for the Macintosh.

Microsoft's Netmeeting and AOL's Instant Messenger version 4.3 allow voice messaging and options for file sharing.

Also, you can find out about a range of other chat software and Web-phone products at Tucows and at The Open Source Development Network software archive.

Desktop videoconferencing

An example of a desktop video conferencing product is Microsoft's NetMeeting, which can be downloaded.

Conferencing software is available at CU-SeeMe. (You must connect to a conferencing server.)

You can find more information about desktop audio and video-conferencing at About Internet Conferencing.

Focus on... PDF files

Pennsylvania State University makes available classical works of literature in PDF format.

You can search for PDF files at Search Adobe PDF Online and at Google.

You can find out more about PDF files at Adobe Acrobat and An Interactive Tutorial for Adobe Acrobat.

Also, create your own Adobe files online at Create Adobe PDF Online.

Also FYI

TidBits   -  a long-standing electronic magazine. A good source for keeping up to date on Macintosh technology and the Internet. You can subscribe to receive weekly issues via electronic mail, or you can access their web site and search back issues.

The Ultimate Macintosh  -  provides the best Macintosh information sources on the Net.

Internet.com  -  provides information about browser options. Plus, keep up with the newest versions of your browser.

Mac browsers  -  for a list of Macintosh browsers.

ZDNet   -  from the publishers of PC Magazine and MacUser, is a popular source for finding out about new hardware and software options. This site offers advice and how-tos for beginners and advanced users alike.

ComputerInfo Directory   -  provides a list of computer publications on the Internet.

Fast Search  -  comprehensive search engine.

Alexa   -  a popular utility for finding related sites.

Netsurfer Digest  -  delivers news about the web to your email box once a week.

Babel Fish  -  a text translation service available on the web.

Some available web tutorials :
Best of the Internet Tutorials
Help Web
ICYouSee: A Guide to the World Wide Web
Internet Learner's Page
Learn the Net

The Real Audio home page provides information about how to use RealAudio and about what's available.

Want to create your own audio or video productions? Check out the
RealSystem G2 Production Guide or Quick Time's Authoring Studio.

Free Web-based conferencing and chat environments are available at:
Yahoo Groups

Find out about other conference-hosting services at Forum One Communications.

Conferencing Software for the Web  -  a comprehensive guide to web conferencing software programs.

Look for scheduled chat events at Yahoo and About.com

To keep on top of new sites on the Web, visit these sites:
Internet Scout Report
Librarians' Index to the Internet: New This Week
Neat New Stuff I Found This Week by librarian Marylaine Block
ResearchBuzz
What's Nu

Yack  -   a program guide to events on the Internet, including live chats, concerts, and video broadcasts.