It’s
Online, but Is It On Target? (Part 3)
Dot-What?
Look
at the site’s address. What follows the dot?
·
Dot-com is not only for business;
anyone can use it. Dot-coms include well-known and respected companies, but
also private individuals.
·
Dot-org usually indicates a not-for-profit
organization. Many dot-orgs present unbiased information, but others have
political agendas, focus on debatable issues instead of facts, and might not
present all sides of an argument.
·
Dot—Gov. indicates a government website
at the federal, state or local level. The federal government is a good source
of statistics, and its sites are widely considered among the most reliable.
·
Dot—mil is used by sites that are
part of the military.
·
Dot—edu usually indicates a
university website. While its published research is generally considered very
trustworthy, anyone associated with the university, whether a world—renowned scholar
or a freshman, can be given space on its server. Professors sometimes put
student course work up on the web, but that doesn't mean they're vouching for
the information’s accuracy.