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.