December 2002

Searching the Internet

By Teresa Lightle- Computer Training Coordinator

If you have ever attended an Internet Training class from me you know I have never been happy with the search button in the toolbar . I have always thought there are much better search engines online, than the one exposed by clicking this button and past experience has shown this method of searching to be fruitless and frustrating to most users. The reason being that the default search engine this button links to is MSN (not one of my favorite search engines.) This month's tip will show you how to customize that button to reflex the search engine of your choice.

To customize the search button, launch Internet Explorer (versions will vary slightly.) Click on the Search button in the standard toolbar.

In Internet Explorer 6.0

Choose

Choose

In the next dialogue box choose the the top option and then select the search engine you want to use when you press . Click on OK. The next time you click the button the dialogue box will appear in a separate window. Key the subject or words you are searching for and click the search button. The search results will appear in the main window. The search window is just a window and can be closed at any time by clicking on the in the upper right corner of the search window.

In Internet Explorer 5.0

Click on the button in the toolbar. In the Search Window choose

This will bring up the Customize Dialogue box shown below. You can use the  search assistant to help you customize MSN or choose Use one search service, which allows you to select a specific Search Service. Click OK

After you have selected your search engine, each time you click on the Search button in the toolbar, it will use the search engine you have chosen to complete your search.

The E-Teacher

The last week(s) before Winter Break can be challenging. Keeping students on task can be tough. Here are a few web sites that may help.

MS Encarta Online Quizzes - This site offers a variety of Quizzes to stimulate the frozen thought process.
Choose from a Greek Mythology Quiz, Native American History to How well do you know your body? and many more.
http://encarta.msn.com/quiz/

Did Someone say Standards? - This web site actually links holiday activities with California State Standards.
http://www.homefires.com/holiday.htm

Internet Scavenger Hunts for Christmas Around the World - several different hunts available
http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/pges/xmas_around.htm

Still More Holiday Lesson Plans designed by other teachers - Links to other Holiday Sites
http://members.aol.com/Donnpages/Holidays.html

Wishing Everyone a Safe, Healthy and Happy Holiday Season.

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For Questions or Comments about this newsletter please contact: tlightle@bcoe.org

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