In Practical 6, we were asked to use invisible web (Also known as deep web or dark matter) to search for information based on our research topic. One thing that invisible web stands out from search engines is that text pages, files, or other high-quality authoritative information available via WWW that general search engines such as Google cannot due to technical limitations or will not (due to deliberate choice ) add to their indices of web pages.
However, there are also quite a number of disadvantages for using insvisible web to search for information, as they often require us to log in using password and username or else we would not be able to access or make use of its facilities. There are also other disadvantages which will be discussed in the following paragraph.
If I were to choose from invisible web or search engines, meta search or subject directories, I would prefer to use search engines, meta search annd subject directories, as I would not have to log in and the information is readily available in the web, whereby I do not have to log in to access information that I require. Also, some of the invisible web are commercialized, ie. users have to pay to be able to gain access to information. One such example is Lexis-Nexis. In addition, it must be used in conjunction with other information resources and users cannot solely rely on only invisible web.
Despite all the banes to using invisible web, I would use such invisible web for my own diploma course, as it is able to search for text pages, files, or other high-quality authoritative information available that normal search engnies cannot or will not find. Or, to put simply, it is not searchable by Internet search engines. Also, it is ddesigned in such a way that it provides specialized categories for users to select, one of which that include business is Research Gateway. It provides other various databases, such as Applied Science, Design, Engineering etc, such that Temasek Polytechnic students can always look up for information regarding their diplomas using such invisible web. Another relevant invisible web would be Business Source Premier, which caters to my need of constantly having to find information of my core subjects in my diploma, especially when it comes to subjects like economics, whereby I have to search for up-to-date news articles. TP's database E-book ITPRO also covers many topics which includes that of my diploma Also, it has more comprehensive results and are often quite accurate and reliable.
Wiki collaberation was pretty much a breeze and I have learnt a lot from fellow course mates who have also contributed their thoughts in it. This is because I am exposed to more ideas generated by other course mates and able to gain more knowledge on my research topic.
However, there are also some limitations that Wiki have, that is, there is a high chance for biasness to occur, as people tend to write about what they perceived on a topic, rather than what the topic actually is about.
Also, as part of this practical, we were asked to comment on a classmate's blog. For today, I shall comment on Amira's blog, as I find that she often updates her blog with regular posts. From her shopping experience, she mentioned about buying Espirit clothings from its website, as it was quite affordable. Maybe I can try shopping online on this established brands one of these days. :)
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