Note: The Internet Scout Project is no longer updating the Sidekicks. However, they will remain accessible for the convenience of those who still find them useful. We recommend visiting:
This resource, part of the Teaching Library Internet Workshops of the University of California-Berkeley, aids users in choosing the best tools to use for different kinds of searches. It differentiates search indexes from subject guides and offers tips on when to use what. Highlight of the site is a detailed features table that explains Boolean syntax, phrase searching, truncation, and field searching, among other features, for several services. Information on coverage magnitude is also available.
About the Sidekicks
Sidekicks are a series of quick-reference summaries of how to use Internet search engines and other network tools. For example, the first Sidekick offers a simple overview of the search operatives allowed by each of the major Internet search engines. The current Sidekick offers a similar summary of the traits of the major Internet subject directories.
Sidekicks can be used online or printed and posted near your monitor for easy viewing. All Sidekicks are available at the Internet Scout Website in PDF format for easy download and printing.
For more information on Adobe Acrobat, or to download a free reader, visit the Adobe website.
Sidekick #1: Internet Search Engines
- View the Sidekick in GIF format [55 Kb]
- Download the Sidekick in Adobe pdf COLOR format [400 Kb]
- Download the Sidekick in Adobe pdf BLACK AND WHITE format [392 Kb]