It is very important to keep in mind all information found on the Internet may not be accurate. With today's technology it is possible for people with no expertise in a subject area to post documents on the web as factual. Below are some helpful questions and hints to help you in evaluating web resources.
Consider the Source -
Does the web page give you any indication of who produced it?
Is there an author listed?
Is there any contact information (phone, address, or e-mail) for that author?
What is the url (uniform resource locator, or address/location) at the top of the toolbar?
An author's name on the web page will allow you to gather information on that person, or any materials they may have previously published, etc. If there is a way for you to contact the author, you will be able to gather information from the source itself. If there is an "about us" link, useful information may be provided about the creator or organization. Finally the url will indicate to you the type of source you are accessing.
Examples:
.com - commercial
.edu - educational
.gov - government
.org - organization
.mil - military
Look for Timeliness -
Are you looking for current information?
Are there related links?
More and more often designers of web pages are now listing a last updated date at the bottom of their web page. This will indicate to you whether the information was updated a week ago or a year ago. Access the site several times to see how often the site is updated. View any links listed on the web site to see how current the related links are as well.
Consider the Content -
What information is the page trying to convey?
What is the tone of the article?
Who is it geared toward?
Is the article well written?
Is there a bias or point of view expressed?
Use your own critical thinking skills to analyze the content on the web site.
Remember, the best way to evaluate web resources in many cases is by comparison with other non-web resources. What other materials or organizations might be authorities on your subject matter?
Historic Preservation Resources
Preserve Net http://www.preservenet.cornell.edu/index.cfm
Preserve Net is designed to provide preservationists with a comprehensive database of regularly updated internet resources and current professional opportunities. Established in 1994 by Cornell University's Michael Tomlan and Bob Pick, Preserve Net was the result of a collaborative effort by preservation students of various universities interested in providing preservation information in what was then a new and exciting arena, the internet. Continually updated and expanded since its establishment, Preserve Net utilizes the many internet resources of various preservation organizations and maintains a current listing of professional and educational opportunities
National Main Street http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/
The National Trust Main Street Center®, leads a coast-to-coast network of more than 1,200 state, regional, and local programs, powerfully linked together through a preservation-based strategy for rebuilding the places and enterprises that make sustainable, vibrant, and unique communities. Tapping the collective wisdom of partners around the nation, we provide leading-edge thinking and analysis to community leaders, while advocating for change on state and national policy levels.
National Council for Preservation Education http://www.ncpe.us/
The National Council for Preservation Education has over fifty member institutions located across the United States. These academic programs in historic preservation and allied fields have educated thousands of students, many of whom have developed professional careers as professional historic preservation leaders working for local, state, federal government agencies, non-governmental organizations and in the private sector in the US and elsewhere in the world.
NPS National Parks Service http://www.nps.gov/index.htm (main link)
History and Culture – Preservation related information http://www.nps.gov/history/
Grants, National Register Search, Tax Incentives, Teaching with Historic Places
National Center for Preservation Technology & Training https://www.ncptt.nps.gov/
NCPTT protects America's historic legacy by equipping preservation professionals with progressive technology-based research and training. NCPTT advances the application of science and technology to historic preservation. Working in the fields of archeology, architecture, landscape architecture and materials conservation, the Center accomplishes its mission through training, education, research, technology transfer and partnerships
NPS Technical Preservation Services Preservation Briefs http://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs.htm
Preservation Briefsprovide guidance on preserving, rehabilitating and restoring historic buildings. Please note that the web versions of the Preservation Briefs differ somewhat from the printed versions. Many illustrations are new, captions are simplified, illustrations are typically in color rather than black and white, and some complex charts have been omitted.
HABS/HAER Historic American Building Survey/ Historic American Engineering Record http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/habs_haer/
The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) and the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) collections are among the largest and most heavily used in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress. Since 2000, documentation from the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) has been added to the holdings. The collections document achievements in architecture, engineering, and design in the United States and its territories through a comprehensive range of building types and engineering technologies
National Council on Public History http://ncph.org/cms/
The National Council on Public History (NCPH) is a membership association dedicated to making the past useful in the present and to encouraging collaboration between historians and their publics. Our work begins in the belief that historical understanding is of essential value in society
NAPC National Alliance of Preservation Commissions http://www.uga.edu/napc/
A network of more than 2,000 landmark commissions, historic district commissions and boards of architectural review in the United States! The NAPC is organized to build strong local preservation programs through education, training, and advocacy. The NAPC network provides support, resources, and assistance from other commissions and members. This site is a great resource of Design Guidelines from Historic Commissions from around the country. This site has the most complete list of resource links for preservation related disciplines.