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 businesses; 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.