Is it animal, vegetable or mineral? No! It's Web site evaluation!

1. Look at the URL, or the address. Does it have a .com? Usually their purpose is to make money in some way. How are they trying to do this?
2. Look at the URL, or the address. Does it have a .com, .org or .net? Find a place on the site to read about who they are. Usually it can be found under a link called, "About Us." Can you find out why they want to share this information with others?
3. Look at the URL, or the address. Does it have a .com, .org or .net? You’re challenged to uncover any other organizations that support the ideas promoted on this site. Can you?
4. Is the site created by a government or education agency? Look for .gov or .edu in the address. See if you can find the spot where they clearly identify themselves.
5. Can you find the name of the person who actually wrote the information (the author), along with an email address?
6. Does the author have the "smarts" to publish this information for others to read? In other words, what qualifications or special skills does the author have? Can I trust the author?
7. Can you tell if the information is fact (you can show that it’s true) or opinion (what someone thinks or believes)? Do you think you can use it for real research?
8. Can you tell when someone last updated the site? Does it have a bad case of "linkrot?" (Linkrot: Bad or dead links) Is there a place on the site that states when it was created?
9. Do you know the sneaky way to reveal what other Web sites are linking to the site you’re evaluating or to your very own Web site? If you see some very questionable sites linking to the one you're investigating, better watch out! Here’s how: Type in a search engine the following phrase:
   

   Link:http://www._________________

   (put the URL of the site in question after the www.)
10. So, what’s your final answer? Can you trust this information enough to use it?

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