3.1 Useful starting points

Figure 4 Finding the starting point

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Map reader standing in field

Figure 4 Finding the starting point

Although using a general search engine such as Google may sometimes be the best approach when looking for resources online, there are other alternative starting points that can save you time.

These include:

• freely available online resources
• resources available via subscription
• specialist search engines
• social networks.

Of freely available resources, some are produced by organisations such as universities and may be licensed under Creative Commons for anyone to use, share and (sometimes) adapt. Others are contributed by individuals or created by members of online communities.