Each of the services included in the "Searching the Internet" has distinct features and capabilities. In most cases instructions for using these resources are included somewhere at the site; we have linked to instructions when available. For a summary of the functions available for each search engine, see the Internet Scout Sidekicks.

For your convenience we have defined six common searching functions.

Searchable Indexes

Databases of millions and millions of pages, gathered by automated "robots," allowing broad and often overwhelming searches

Subject Catalogs

Links to resources arranged in subject hierarchies, encouraging users to browse to (and often search for) those they need

Annotated Directories

Concise summaries of linked pages, helping the user know what they'll find when clinking on a link

Subject Guides

The work of a subject specialist, resulting in the most carefully selected and annotated links

Specialized Directories

Cover kinds of data (e.g., email addresses, web server information) that require special tools for effective searching