If you are familiar with Boolean searches you should know that most Internet search tools do NOT support true Boolean searches. Ran Hock, author of The Extreme Searcher's Guide to Web Search Engines, states that "search engines implement Boolean features in different ways." For example, while some accept a simple "not," others require "and not" for the same effect. Additionally, some engines require that Boolean operators be capitalized, while others do not (or and do not?). If you really want to use Boolean operators, learn how to use them correctly, you can start here.
Return to Table of Contents Page
This file prepared and presented as an aid to help students understand the web. Send questions or comments to Royce Shook