Very simple. There are dozens of special web pages on the Internet called "search engines." These search engines are almost like an electronic card catalog. You simply enter keywords for the engine to look for and it searches the Internet for you, providing you with a list of web pages containing your keywords. As with any computer, it gives you exactly what you ask for, whether or not that is what you actually wanted. Anyway, there are basically two main types of search engines. The main difference is in the way which they search the Internet. One type only has information on web pages which have been submitted to the engine, and then it only maintains a basic description of the page. The other type maintains a catalog containing every word on every page. The first type is more general, the second more specific.
My recommendation is that if you have a general topic you are looking for, or if you are really just starting out on the Internet, start with a search engine such as Infoseek. Infoseek is the 2nd type of engine I described, keeping descriptions of each page including their complete text. This engine will often times return a few thousand "hits" or matching documents to each search, but you can then do sub-searches on the results, making it much less intimidating when you are first starting out. Often you will find what you need with no trouble through infoseek. See below for information on using a search engine.
If you are searching for something much more specific, like a certain make or model or person's name, and if an engine like Infoseek didn't give you what you were looking for, try Altavista. Altavista will most likely return a few hundred thousand "hits" on each search, but don't bother looking past the first 30 or so, after that they are seldom actually what you want. Altavista is the second type of engine I described, keeping catalogs of every word on each web page. This can be necessary at times.
For a longer list of search engines, check out the .Caprok.net Search Page.
Using a Search Engine
Luckily most search engines work about the same. When you first "connect" to the
engine, you will see an empty white box, normally with a search or submit button next to
it. Click on this box, then enter your search terms. For example, if you want to search
for information on recipes for lactose intolerent people, Do NOT type recipes for lactose
intolerent people, instead use only the specific words. Type lactose intolerent recipes.
Once you have the search terms entered, click on the submit/search button. (sometimes just
pressing enter works too) Soon a list of web pages the engine thinks might be what you are
looking for will appear. This is a list of links which you can follow to the actual page.
Don't forget about your browser's BACK button, it can be a huge help once you start
looking at web pages. If you need to further narrow your search, be more specific. Perhaps
lactose intolerent cookie recipes.
Searching for People
You can also search the Internet for people you think might
have an email address. There are several search engines on the Internet which will allow
you to type in names of people and it will look for them on the Internet. Sometimes these
search engines will only return the person's name and email address, other times it will
include their postal address and phone number as well. However, just because you don't
find them with one search engine doesn't mean they don't have email. Not everyone is
listed with search engines yet.
Here is a list of email address search engines: 411 Yahoo's Personal Lookup BigFoot