When Should I Use the Web?

First, let's look at a few facts about the web:

• it's a joint effort, not managed by any one group
• searching the Web effectively takes a little know-how
• lots of useful information isn't (and may never be) freely available on the Web

My professor says I can't use Web sources for my paper.

Ask your professor to clarify this, because there are basically "two Webs":

• the public Web that search engines utilize
• the "invisible Web," accessible via passwords.  You hvae access to Web sources the DCCCD/Texshare subscribe to.  Only authorized users can get into the information stored in these web sources.

Go with the strengths of the public Web

• for very current information such as news, sports scores, weather, stock quotes
• to use online job postings, shopping, auctions, or travel services
• learning more about companies and organizations
• information from the U.S. government
• quick facts and statistics
• catching up with current news
• gathering opinions
• connecting to library resources

Stop and think! There are better places to look than the public Web

• to find articles in scholarly journals or popular magazines
• to read article on a topic from newspapers
• to find books on your topic