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H-Net uses a program called Glimpse to index and query its data collections. Glimpse will search all or individual sections of H-Net's entire Web Site for words, called keywords, which you can specify. With a little practice, searching with Glimpse can save you hours of time in finding specific information.
Using a forms-capable browser (e.g. Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, Mosaic, Lynx, OmniWeb), you may enter keywords in the entry field. You may enter as many as you like, but the search will be more accurate with fewer.
What is a Keyword?
Keywords are words that you use to isolate and identify what you are
searching for. The more specifically related the word is, the better your
search results will be. You may already be familiar with keywords from
using them for library searches, which are extremely similar to searching
a web site.
When thinking of keywords to use in your search, you should try to make them as specific and exclusive as possible while avoiding obscure or erudite terms. A keyword such as "Africa" will return thousands of results, while one too narrow might return none. Do not get discouraged if your initial keyword does not work, simply try another.
The Search Form
To begin your search, first enter keywords of interest into the form.
Next, you have the choice of searching for all or any
of these keywords. Selecting the "all words" option will return
documents that contain every keyword entered. Selecting the "any words"
option will return documents that include at least one keyword entered.
For example, if you enter "slavery south" into the form and select all
words, Glimpse will return documents that contain both slavery and
south in the body. Whereas selecting any words will return
documents that contain either slavery or south (or both).
The final option allows you to limit the number of documents that Glimpse returns. When your search is submitted, Glimpse attempts to prioritize the responses, with the most relevant documents first. You can select how many responses you would like your search to return.
Understanding the Results of your Search
When the results of your search return, the hits will be displayed in the
following form. You will be given the title, date, and an excerpt of the
document. The excerpts of the document contain the keywords that you are
searching for and the sentence that contains it. Use these features to
identify the document and see if it is something that you are
interested in.
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