The Britannica Internet Guide, a selective directory of Web sites, is the Encyclopaedia Britannica’s World Wide Web navigation service. Textual information is in English. Some sites may also post information in other languages. The reviewer learned in telephone conversations with personnel at Encyclopaedia Britannica that potential users are to be alerted to substantial changes in content, features, and functionality due in a few months. Users of the Britannica Internet Guide may suggest sites for review. Those evaluating the site for their own use will need to revisit occasionally to review updates. There is no specification of frequency of updates.
The distinguishing feature of this Web guide over others is that editors and contributors strive to seek out and list the better Web sites, in accord with their evaluations, by a hierarchy format. Typical navigation services are not selective. Whatever sites are known get entered into their lists. Those interested in the evaluative criteria and rating system applied by the editors will find explanations posted at the Editorial Policy button. Such factors as accuracy, usefulness and depth of information are examined. Credentials and authority of the party responsible for the site are reviewed. In regard to format and presentation, quality of graphics and multimedia are considered. Ease of navigation and finally the timeliness of updates are noted.
The five‐star rating system is as follows:
best of the Web (five stars);
superior;
excellent;
recommended;
noteworthy (one star);
unrated (no stars).
Information on the Britannica home page informs readers that this is not a way of endorsing sites, products, services, or a company. Furthermore, the rating assesses the site as indicated in the criteria. Editors strive to prepare clear and unbiased reviews. Britannica’s Web directory is furnished background information about sites and related links by Alexa, a free Internet navigation service. Alexa offers suggestions about sites based on previous traffic paths on the Web and editorial recommendations.
In the description of the Britannica Internet Guide posted on the home page, the editors indicate that they “cannot ensure the accuracy of every statement at every site. For the same reason, the sites in the Britannica Internet Guide do not necessarily represent the beliefs of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editors.”
Sites that editors regard as appropriate for children are grouped. In accessing only this portion of the database, a search or browse must be restricted to the Kids area under Education. This is designed for use by parents of children eight to 14 years old.
Editors consider the Britannica reviews to be appropriate for all ages. Readers should be aware that the directory does review sites that may contain material for mature audiences. Some sites deal with sensitive or contentious subject‐matter.
Potential users should notice that, while the majority of sites indexed are free, there are some that require a paid subscription. Requirement of a payment is indicated in the review. Sites restricted to specific audiences are not indexed.
Searching
Upon the entry of a keyword or phrase, the directory will identify site reviews that contain that word or phrase. Users may switch from a search to a browse within a subject category. Help is available online with easy‐to‐follow explanations. Those having problems accessing or using a site can report problems by e‐mailing to: webmaster@britannica.com.
In the ADVANCED SEARCH mode, Boolean operators such as AND and OR can be applied in searching specific subjects and/or elements in the database. Searches may be restricted by domain type, geographic region, all Web sites, Web site titles, and Web site description. Users may limit the number of results displayed by increments of 10 in the range of ten to 50 items. Designing the display of search results to fit one’s own needs may be done by selecting either Title only or Title and Description at the Display Results option.
Browsing
The browsing feature works best when using Netscape Navigator version 3.02 or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer version 3.2 or higher, or AOL version 3.0 or higher.
Software
Excalibur RetrievalWare powers Britannica’s primary search engine. The Guide offers quick responses to reviews and links. Printing, downloading to the computer, and e‐mailing an active link to the site worked well. It was not possible at the time of this review to download to a disk.
Reviews
The review may include site statistics which brings forward the Britannica rating, which the site is registered to, source of site statistics, visits, speed, and related links. This reviewer noted that all elements might not be included in each review.
Presentation of the directory is available in both the graphic and text mode. Users will observe that responses are often surrounded on screen by buttons:
The Britannica’s Shopping Guide ‐ selective directory of consumer resources on the World Wide Web.
Britannica Store ‐ description of Britannica products and options to order.
Showcase ‐ includes a button to the Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
The Web’s Best Sites ‐ 15 subject category links.
Top News of the Day ‐ from editors of washingtonpost.com and Newsweek.com
Site of the Day ‐ spotlight on a selected site.
Bookmarks of the Smart and Famous ‐ bookmarks of selected notable figures.
Spotlights‐in‐depth editorial feature using multimedia to scan selected topics.
Check your e‐mail ‐ not yet available.
The stories from Newsweek, a weekly news magazine, include related links and encyclopedia articles. The daily newspaper, The Washington Post, covers world news, US politics, and culture.
The Britannica Shopping Guide selects sites based on the following criteria:
substantive inventory of products and services;
adequate information on customer service policies;
quality of design, graphics, and multi‐media;
ease of navigation;
timeliness of revision.
Potential users should take a look at the Shopping Guide and decide if they wish to have immediate access to a shopping guide of selected sites first arranged by 22 subjects and then broken down in a hierarchy of descriptors.
The Internet guide and navigation service is highly recommended when one wishes others to preselect sites based on criteria as explained on the home page of this service. The navigation service shows evidence of usefulness for all ages, school groups, and home use. Pending changes may make the site more desirable. This reviewer found the site interesting to work with, very easy to navigate, and it delivered quick responses. No problems were encountered. Those considering it should revisit the site from time‐to‐time and contact the Encyclopaedia Britannica for more information. Those expecting to obtain print materials describing the service will need to turn to current information online, use e‐mail, or place a telephone call. Personnel answering the 800 telephone number are eager to help.
