Invisible Web Gateways

Try Google first!

TIP: Then, don't try to cut corners by giving control to the computer. Find the right database and search it yourself. When searching, plan to locate the category of material you want - then browse. Don't be too specific in your searches. (tip from CCBC Dundalk Library)

  • Complete Planet offers searchable access to thousands of databases on the deep Web for results that include summaries from the retrieval site. Not useful to browse.

  • ProFusion The combination of comprehensive web search results combined with the ability to target topic-specific search resources make this service one of great appeal to searchers.

  • Direct Search lists 700 databases, arranged by specific subject area, provides links to databases.

  • Lycos Invisible Web Catalog searches more than 7,000 resources. Note: Make sure and check the "this category" button on search form.

  • InfoMine Multiple Database Search focuses on scholarly resource collections, journals, books, catalogs and directories. Allows simultaneous searching.

  • InvisibleWeb lists 10,000 specialized databases and search engines, provides 2 ways to locate databases (by browsing through 18 broad categories or by searching by keyword), and has advanced search capabilities. Is valuable for academic research but also consumer oriented.

  • FirstGov is the "official Website for searching the U.S. government" that pulls together a substantial part of the Invisible Web: federal government databases. GPO Access goes beyond what is available on FirstGov, provides free online use of over 1500 Federal databases.

  • Search Adobe PDF Online searches more than a million summaries of PDF files on the Web.

  • MagPortal.com indexes and links to magazine-type articles available free on the Web.

  • SpeechBot is a streaming media search engine from Compaq

  • The Virtual Technical reports Center links to institutions that provide either full-text reports, or searchable extended abstracts of the tech reports on the Web.

  • Invisible Web Directory is a selective directory of more than 1,000 specialized databases. Good descriptions, direct links to search form pages. Lacks a search function.

  • Librarians' Index to the Internet includes annotated resources. Linked cross-references available.

  • Academic Info is a gateway to "quality" educational resources.

  • BUBL is a catalog of selected Internet resources. Also from Great Britain, the Resource Discovery Network , RDN, is an excellent gateway to hand selected "invisibe" resources. Note the "Behind the Headlines" button. Both of these sites have items that are described and evaluated.

  • Fossick.com , the WebSearch Alliance Directory, is a selective collection of over 3,000 specialist search engines and topical guides.

  • Argus Clearinghouse has a selective collection of guides describing and evaluating resources. Best when you really want to delve into a subject. Searchable.

  • AlltheWeb is second only to Google in size. Moderately sophisticated search capabilities in advanced mode. Processes quickly. WiseNut is comparable in size to both Google and AlltheWeb. Only unsophisticated search capabilities. Can group results in categories, can "sneak a peek" at a page without leaving search engine.

  • The Wayback Machine is an Internet archive of web pages from the past, e.g. sites from the '96 election.

  • WebFile offers search templates for specialty engines organized by topic. This site is consumer oriented.


     

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