When we covered Internet Navigation a couple of years ago, the Internet was a much smaller and more friendly place. With the explosive growth of users has come a tremendous growth of Web sites, now numbering in the millions. Finding exactly what you are looking for takes patience, persistence, imagination and improved search techniques. To illustrate the glut of information, a search for "harmonica", not the most common search term, yielded 150,384 pages.
Search Engines like altavista are indexed and maintained by computers and generally do not limit the number or quality of the sites submitted. Searches here generate the largest number of results but many of dubious quality. Use specific keywords to narrow your search and most require you to use quotation marks or the plus sign to specify a multi-word phrase. For example, "electric guitar" will yield pages with both words whereas electric guitar will yield sites with either electric or guitar. Use your imagination in choosing key words -- remember that the Webmaster of the site you are trying to locate has used key words that make sense to him.
Meta search engines such as http://www.dogpile.com search several other search engines at the same time and return composite results. There are also many subject-specific search engines.
Directories, like Yahoo, are maintained by humans and tend to be smaller with higher quality results. There are also many directories geared to special interest groups.
Topic-specific Sites
Other special interest sites such as those operated by schools, associations, or publications have generally well organized lists of resources that may aid in your search.
You can also use dedicated search software you install on your computer that searches the major search engines and organizes the results in a logical fashion. I highly recommend Copernic ( http://www.copernic.com). It returns a controllable number of results according to your instructions and finds sites that don't turn up elsewhere. The result can be saved to use later and also exported to various file formats. The basic version is free and the Pro version is $79.95 US.
If you spend a little bit of time improving your search techniques and tools, you will be rewarded with saved time and more successful results.
Music Online is a regular department of CM, featuring news and highlights of music online including the Internet, the major online sevices and music related BBSs. If you have questions, comments, news, or suggestions, please e-mail them to jnorris@nor.com, FAX (905) 641-1648 or mail them to our St. Catharines office.
... Martinsound has relaunched its Web site at http://www.martinsound.com. The site includes downloadable brochures in PDF format, equipment reviews, user comments, case studies, staff-written articles and press releases.
... Sibelius Software introduces Scorch music.com. The Scorch browser plug-in allows users to view and play Sibelius scores on the Internet regardless of whether they own Sibelius. Composers can publish and sell their scores on the Internet and the site also provides reviews of scores and bios of composers and arrangers. Check out their site at http://www.scorchmusic.com.
... For help on building and promoting your Web site, visit JimTools at http://www.jimtools.com. This great site will assist you in submitting to search engines and directories, help you choose key words, improve your HTML and so much more. His free newsletter on Web promotion is invaluable.
... If you are looking to freelance your musical, writing, pro audio or recording skills or are looking for any of those services, visit elance at http://www.elance.com. You can list yourself as a buyer or provider of services and bid on projects that are listed on the site.
... GAMA, the Guitar and Accessories Marketing Association has launched its new Web site at http://www.discoverguitar.com. The site includes advice on how to start a school guitar program, how to sponsor teachers and information on becoming a GAMA member.
... AKG Acoustics has launched a US Web site at http://www.akgusa.com. The site includes AKG product information, customer service info, corporate news, an AKG dealer locator, endorser news, promotions and contests.
... Music Books Plus has greatly expanded their catalogue and now features online over 4,000 books, videos and CD-ROMs on music, recording, audio, songwriting, MIDI, multimedia and the Internet. You can join the electronic newsletter or request a printed update or download a PDF version online at http://www.musicbooksplus.com.
... Norris-Whitney Communications operates The Music & Audio Connection, the international online resource for music enthusiasts, musicians, music and audio professionals. Included are classified ads, products for sale, company showcases, discussion forums, associations, music education, music & audio resources, career information and file libraries. New additions are the Calendar Plus personal information systems and Music News, updated daily. Updates to the site are available by electronic newsletter. Visit at http://www.musicandaudio.com. For more information, e-mail to info@nor.com, FAX (905) 641-1648 or call (905) 641-3471.
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