Successful keyword searches
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Example 1
Using keywords in a hybrid search engine; http://www.altavista.com; AltaVista advanced search using Boolean logic.
Topic Martha Graham, with keywords contraction, release, contemporary dance, modern dance.
"Martha Graham" = 18,771 hits
"Martha Graham" AND contraction = 200 hits
("Martha Graham" AND contraction) AND "contemporary dance" = 67 hits
("Martha Graham" AND contraction) AND "contemporary dance" AND "modern dance" = 58 hits
"Martha Graham" AND contraction release = 21 hits
("Martha Graham" AND contraction release) AND "contemporary dance" AND "modern dance" = 5 hits
The information sourced was of limited value as dance school outlines and university course outlines were included in these results.
Another hybrid engine, Google, found:
"Martha Graham" = 35,400 hits
"Martha Graham" contraction release = 816 hits
"Martha Graham" + contraction + release = 388 hits
"Martha Graham" + contraction = 21 hits
All sites retained useful information as Google ranked selections and by systematically working through each selection useful material was located ranging from biographical data, images from works to reviews of past performances and critiques of seminal works.
Example 2
Using a computer-created search engine; http://www.webcrawler.com/; Webcrawler
Topic Jiri Kylian
Jiri Kylian = 72 results
Jiri Kylian + dance choreographer = 54 hits
Jiri Kylian + dance choreographer + reviews = 20 hits
By comparison, the Google site locates 3910 hits but many are in foreign languages since reviews in English are scarce. However, Google is able to translate articles.
Example 3
Using a URL site and following a pathway through the sites, to a home page www.sadlers-wells.com > http://www.balletcompanies.com/ > Australian sites > Chunky Move > choreographer Gideon Obarzanek > current program and reviews of works.
Example 4
Using a search directory: Yahoo! > Arts and Humanities > Performing Arts > Dance > Notation and Documentation > Dance Writing site where documents on the Sutton method of recording dance are located; including classical ballet, modern and jazz dance, as well as Isadora Duncan's choreography of Orientale.
Example 5
Using the invisible web: http://www.invisibleweb.com/ Selected the Performing Arts option. Clicking on the hyperlink Dance was directed to http://www.sapphireswan.com/dance which is the home page for Sapphire Swan Dance Directory. This site contains an ethnic Dance Style Locator, which lists associations, historical and explanatory notes about multicultural styles. e.g. Indian Dance, Thai Classical Dance, Morris Dancing and Japanese Okinawan Classical Dance
Additional Challenges
Efficiently locating material on the internet can sometimes prove difficult for reasons other than sheer volume of information. These challenges can include:
1. Relevance and quality of hypertext linked to the original page may vary. Unfortunately, there is no method of vetting linked sites other than trial and error.
2. Multiple frames on a site can cause difficulty when downloading. Always check the site is "print friendly" before printing.
3. Search engines sometimes retrieve pages out of context. In order to determine the source, return to the home page of the result site.
4. The ratio of advertising to information is often imbalanced. This can make it difficult to extract relevant data.
5. Hardware or software limitations prevent access to more complex sections of the site. Full access may require downloading additional programs or upgrading hardware.
6. Due to the ever-changing nature of the internet, it may not be possible to return to the desired site at a later date. It is essential to document the source to the fullest extent possible, i.e. noting the full URL, links from directories.
7. Susceptibility of web pages to alteration (whether accidental or deliberate) necessitates verification of information using other sources.
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