ELECTRONIC HIGHWAYS
Finding Images on the Web

Yahoo Image Surfer (http://ipix.yahoo.com), one of the first commercially available technologies that lets users search by selecting images, is organized into the following subject categories: Arts, Entertainment, People, Recreation, Vehicles, and Miscellaneous. Each of the categories contains thumbnail images that users can click on to link to the Web site that contains the image. In addition, there is a keyword searching feature which allows you to find images on a specific subject.

Two popular Internet search engines allow users to limit queries to digital images. The opening menu on Lycos (http://www.lycos.com/) has a category choice "Pictures & Sounds." Click on this category, select "Pictures," type your word or phrase, wait for Lycos to retrieve a list of digital images, then click on a linked item to view the image. Altavista (http://www.altavista.digital.com/) also has the ability to scan the Web for images, though this feature is not apparent when one connects to this site. To search for images on Altavista precede your search query with the image: tag. For example if you were looking for pictures of President Clinton you would type image:clinton or if you were looking for pictures of the moon you would enter image:moon. Refer to Altavista's online help for more detailed assistance.

If you need ready access to an extensive collection of stock photos, then Index Stock Photography (http://www.indexstock.com/) is the site for you. Index Stock Photography functions as an electronic photo-research agency for authors, publishers, and advertising agencies. This site allows registered users access to more than 200,000 digital images, as well as sophisticated search, payment, and downloading features. A researcher looking for pictures of Teddy Roosevelt, for example, can now find and purchase them in moments without leaving the office. If you have questions about Index Stock Photography you can send them to Webmaster@indexstock.com.

For assistance in connecting to the World Wide Web via UB computer accounts, contact the Computing Center's Help Desk at 645-3542.

­ Gemma DeVinney and Don Hartman, University Libraries