Researching Freemasonry On The Internet

Researching Freemasonry On The Internet

by Bro. Phil Elam
Experts tell us that there are presently some 3 billion documents of various types and sizes on the Internet (World Wide Web), and the growth rate is some 500 million new documents per year. Unfortunately, these documents are not catalogued or indexed in any type of standardized vocabulary or format. There is simply no way for anyone to search the entire Web, and any search tool that claims that it offers it all is distorting the truth.
While a great aid for researching Freemasonry, the Internet alone cannot replace other traditional research sources and techniques. It can, however, provide the Masonic researcher with access to many important documents from around the world -- as well as contact with other Freemasons that are interested in the same topics.
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a loose association of thousands of networks and millions of computers across the world that all work together to share information. No one person or organization can claim sole credit for the Internet. No one person, company, institution, or government organization owns the Internet. No one source foots the bill, governs it, or even has a controlling interest. The Internet is truly a collaborative, collective enterprise.
Navigation through the Web is simplified by use of search engines, Web directories, and metasearch sites. Just like conducting research in a library, when searching for information on the Internet, there is a simple methodology to follow in order to best utilize the available resources. In a library, for example, you would most probably utilize the card files initially (or its electronic counterpart), checking first by subject, then by titles and authors. Once you had this information, you would "go to the stacks" and look for the books you had selected in the order of "most promising" to "least promising." Your "card files" on the Internet are called "search engines." There are an estimated 1,200 search engines currently available to search the Internet. Before launching an Internet search, however, it is worthwhile to understand the following points:
1. The Internet is NOT a library.
Libraries organize information for easy retrieval using an established set of rules. A library is staffed by specialists who have degrees in the study of information science, a commitment to service, and experience in helping library patrons with their research.
The Internet is not organized. It is not especially "user friendly," and it lacks any type of standardization. Stated simply: It may be hard to find what you need -- and there is no one out there on the Internet to help you.
2. The Internet is most useful as a supplementary research tool.
No matter what your research project, do not restrict your search to just the World Wide Web. The Internet is simply one more information retrieval tool. Traditional libraries, colleagues, professional associations, government agencies, professors, database products and print resources should also play a part in a truly effective research project.
3. Take what you find on the Internet with a grain of salt.
Anyone with computer access can put whatever information they want on the Internet. What assurance do you have that all the information you find is current, correct or reliable? Unfortunately, none.
Some Masonic scholars feel that other research sources tend to be more reliable and authoritative. While not every book in a library or every article in a journal is always absolutely trustworthy, many feel that unbiased minds have checked on the information source before making it available -- unfortunately, that is not always true, either. However, no such assurance lies behind information on the Internet simply because any one can add anything they want. There are no "checks and balances."
This lack of selection and review means that you should be cautious. Try to find a traditional print resource that backs up the information you find -- particularly, if the information you find on the Internet contradicts information you find in other sources. Verifying sources and references is, of course, a perpetual problem in any type of research.
4. The Internet can be a black hole.
Things tend to disappear without warning on the Internet. Do not become overly attached to any one information source, as it may not always be there. Another related problem is that web sites are set up and then never maintained nor updated.
5. Be patient.
Sometimes finding the exact piece of information you need is either impossible or involves sorting through hundreds or thousands of possible sources. Using search engines and subject listings may help, particularly if you take the time to learn how to formulate a search using a given search engine. But, as with any other aspect of research, it can be time-consuming work to find exactly the information you need.
6. Search Engine Limitations.
Search Engines are undoubtedly the best way for Internet users to find the information they need, but they can also return thousands of results -- far too many for most of us to review. However, search engines are simple to use. Just enter one or more keywords relating to the topic you want information about, and in a few seconds you get a list of the Web pages in which they appear. Search engines browse the Web and log words from the web pages they find in their databases. Because some search engines have "logged" (recorded) the keywords from over 1 billion documents, results can be overwhelming. Without a clearly defined search strategy, using a search engine is akin to wandering aimlessly through the world?s largest library trying to find a particular book.
There is no "best" search engine, so you need to choose the one that best fits your needs. This will probably the result of "trial and error" -- coupled with speed of access and the quality of returned results. One search engine that has, thus far, returned excellent results for searches is: http://www.google.com
Fortunately, many search engines have a "tutorial" to instruct you on how to build effective "search arguments." While each may vary in quality, it is well worth taking the time to review the instructions as not all search engines work exactly the same way.
One observation is worth noting -- there are more Masonic books, articles, papers, presentations and so forth on the Internet than you are ever likely to find at your local library. Many dedicated Brethren from across the country and around the world have spent countless hours "uploading" important Masonic materials to web sites. With just a bit of work on your part, you will be able to find important sources on Masonic history, ritual, traditions, customs, philosophy, ethics, important Freemasons and so on.
If would seriously like to learn more about our Fraternity, do not overlook the Internet -- even though it is far from perfect. It is an excellent starting place for Masonic information that simply may not be available from other traditional sources.
Here in Missouri, we have a number of excellent resources already available on the Internet. In addition to information available from the 170 or so Missouri Blue Lodge web sites now on the Web, we have three truly outstanding research resources. They are:
Missouri Lodge of Research: www.geocities.com/lormo.geo
St. Louis Scottish Rite: www.geocities.com/stlaasr/
St. Louis Masonic Study Club: www.geocities.com/stlmasonicstudy/
_____________
3-24-2002

Researching Freemasonry On The Internet
by Bro. Phil Elam Experts tell us that there are presently some 3 billion documents of various types and sizes on the Internet (World Wide Web), and the growth rate is some 500 million new documents per year. Unfortunately, these documents are not catalogued or indexed in any type of standardized vocabulary or format. There is simply no way for anyone to search the entire Web, and any search tool that claims that it offers it all is distorting the truth. While a great aid for researching Freemasonry, the Internet alone cannot replace other traditional research sources and techniques. It can, however, provide the Masonic researcher with access to many important documents from around the world -- as well as contact with other Freemasons that are interested in the same topics. What is the Internet? The Internet is a loose association of thousands of networks and millions of computers across the world that all work together to share information. No one person or organization can claim sole credit for the Internet. No one person, company, institution, or government organization owns the Internet. No one source foots the bill, governs it, or even has a controlling interest. The Internet is truly a collaborative, collective enterprise. Navigation through the Web is simplified by use of search engines, Web directories, and metasearch sites. Just like conducting research in a library, when searching for information on the Internet, there is a simple methodology to follow in order to best utilize the available resources. In a library, for example, you would most probably utilize the card files initially (or its electronic counterpart), checking first by subject, then by titles and authors. Once you had this information, you would "go to the stacks" and look for the books you had selected in the order of "most promising" to "least promising." Your "card files" on the Internet are called "search engines." There are an estimated 1,200 search engines currently available to search the Internet. Before launching an Internet search, however, it is worthwhile to understand the following points: 1. The Internet is NOT a library. Libraries organize information for easy retrieval using an established set of rules. A library is staffed by specialists who have degrees in the study of information science, a commitment to service, and experience in helping library patrons with their research. The Internet is not organized. It is not especially "user friendly," and it lacks any type of standardization. Stated simply: It may be hard to find what you need -- and there is no one out there on the Internet to help you. 2. The Internet is most useful as a supplementary research tool. No matter what your research project, do not restrict your search to just the World Wide Web. The Internet is simply one more information retrieval tool. Traditional libraries, colleagues, professional associations, government agencies, professors, database products and print resources should also play a part in a truly effective research project. 3. Take what you find on the Internet with a grain of salt. Anyone with computer access can put whatever information they want on the Internet. What assurance do you have that all the information you find is current, correct or reliable? Unfortunately, none. Some Masonic scholars feel that other research sources tend to be more reliable and authoritative. While not every book in a library or every article in a journal is always absolutely trustworthy, many feel that unbiased minds have checked on the information source before making it available -- unfortunately, that is not always true, either. However, no such assurance lies behind information on the Internet simply because any one can add anything they want. There are no "checks and balances." This lack of selection and review means that you should be cautious. Try to find a traditional print resource that backs up the information you find -- particularly, if the information you find on the Internet contradicts information you find in other sources. Verifying sources and references is, of course, a perpetual problem in any type of research. 4. The Internet can be a black hole. Things tend to disappear without warning on the Internet. Do not become overly attached to any one information source, as it may not always be there. Another related problem is that web sites are set up and then never maintained nor updated. 5. Be patient. Sometimes finding the exact piece of information you need is either impossible or involves sorting through hundreds or thousands of possible sources. Using search engines and subject listings may help, particularly if you take the time to learn how to formulate a search using a given search engine. But, as with any other aspect of research, it can be time-consuming work to find exactly the information you need. 6. Search Engine Limitations. Search Engines are undoubtedly the best way for Internet users to find the information they need, but they can also return thousands of results -- far too many for most of us to review. However, search engines are simple to use. Just enter one or more keywords relating to the topic you want information about, and in a few seconds you get a list of the Web pages in which they appear. Search engines browse the Web and log words from the web pages they find in their databases. Because some search engines have "logged" (recorded) the keywords from over 1 billion documents, results can be overwhelming. Without a clearly defined search strategy, using a search engine is akin to wandering aimlessly through the world?s largest library trying to find a particular book. There is no "best" search engine, so you need to choose the one that best fits your needs. This will probably the result of "trial and error" -- coupled with speed of access and the quality of returned results. One search engine that has, thus far, returned excellent results for searches is: http://www.google.com Fortunately, many search engines have a "tutorial" to instruct you on how to build effective "search arguments." While each may vary in quality, it is well worth taking the time to review the instructions as not all search engines work exactly the same way. One observation is worth noting -- there are more Masonic books, articles, papers, presentations and so forth on the Internet than you are ever likely to find at your local library. Many dedicated Brethren from across the country and around the world have spent countless hours "uploading" important Masonic materials to web sites. With just a bit of work on your part, you will be able to find important sources on Masonic history, ritual, traditions, customs, philosophy, ethics, important Freemasons and so on. If would seriously like to learn more about our Fraternity, do not overlook the Internet -- even though it is far from perfect. It is an excellent starting place for Masonic information that simply may not be available from other traditional sources. Here in Missouri, we have a number of excellent resources already available on the Internet. In addition to information available from the 170 or so Missouri Blue Lodge web sites now on the Web, we have three truly outstanding research resources. They are: Missouri Lodge of Research: www.geocities.com/lormo.geo St. Louis Scottish Rite: www.geocities.com/stlaasr/ St. Louis Masonic Study Club: www.geocities.com/stlmasonicstudy/ _____________ 3-24-2002

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