INTERNET REVIEWS

Since Web sites are proliferating at an extremely fast rate, how can you filter through this massive amount of information to determine what might be worthwhile? One recommended way is to access those organizations which select, review, and rate individual sites. Naturally, the number of reviews is small compared to the total available, but it is a beginning. Internet review sites also function quite well as directories.

• Argus Clearinghouse for Subject-Oriented Internet Resources (http://www.clearinghouse.net/): Bibliographies of Internet sources arranged by broad subject. Search by key word. Each guide evaluated as one entity. Categories: 12 topical divisions. Ratings: 1-4 checks.

• Britannica Internet Guide (http://www.ebig.com/)
  

• Magellan (http://www.mckinley.com/): Search by keyword or browse by subject to receive rated and reviewed sites. Can also search unreviewed sites as well (entire database of 15 URLS). If use the search engine, it is recommended to select "Options" feature, which allows one to use boolean operators and to limit search to specific number of stars. "Green light" searches are also available. These reviews provide additional information including target audience, fee-based, non-commercial/commercial. Categories: 15 subjects. Ratings: 1-4 stars.
  

• NetFirst (OCLC): (telnet://stangate@toto.csustan.edu) For the use of CSUS faculty, students, and staff only. OCLC FirstSearch database of Internet resources. At the login prompt, type stangate.
  

• NetGuide Live's Best of the Web (http://www.netguide.com/): Reviews are classified by subject for browsing as a directory. Keyword searching is also available. Be sure to consult the scorecard feature, which provides the review, ratings, and additional information, such as whether the site requires registration or is fee-based. Scorecard also states if parental control is needed. Categories: 10 major topics. Ratings: 1-5 stars.
  

• Top 5% Sites (Lycos) ( http://point.lycos.com/ ): Lycos' reviewing service allows browsing by subject or searching by keyword. Sort by date reviewed (although the date is never displayed), content, presentation, experience. Categories: 18 classified subjects. Ratings: 0-50 points.
  

• Yahoo Internet Life Reviews: http://www.zdnet.com/yil/

Compiled 1/31/97 (Updated 11/28/97) by Laura Boyer (CSU Stanislaus, Reference Coordinator); technical assistance by Valerie Bross (CSU Stanislaus, Cataloger)