Dynamic Timeline |
netTrekker Search's Dynamic Timeline provides a chronological index of eras, events, arts and innovations, and famous people throughout history. Zoom into a specific period of history, compare and contrast major innovations across continents, or layer artistic works onto periods of history. netTrekker Search gives users the power to view history piece by interactive piece
Here's how to use netTrekker Search's Dynamic Timeline:
Click Timeline located in the My Tools widget.
netTrekker Search will display
the introductory Timeline page.
Each level of netTrekker Search (Elementary, Middle, or High) will present
a selection of timelines appropriate to that level. Select a timeline
from the list (e.g. U.S. History) or enter a time span in the boxes provided
and click 
.
netTrekker Search will display a Timeline based upon your selections. Each timeline is broken up into five main categories.
The top area of the Timeline, in black, indicates generally recognized time periods marked by particular social and/or environmental changes such as wars, social issues, leaps in technology, etc.
The second area of the Timeline, in blue, indicates distinct events or occurrences which took place during a particular time period. Such events have precisely known dates and can include wars and battles, presidential speeches, newly enacted laws, the signing of treaties, and other events marked in history.
The third area of the Timeline, in orange, indicates relevant and influential works produced by writers, painters, sculptors, and musicians during a particular time period.
The fourth area of the Timeline, in green, indicates new discoveries, methods, approaches, and ideas in the fields of science and the military during a particular time period.
The fifth area of the Timeline, in purple, indicates the famous people who were alive during a particular time period.
To get a Search Result on any item listed in any area of the Timeline, click on the link. Each link will return a Search Result of resources about the item from the timeline.
netTrekker Search allows you to add to your timeline in many ways.
The timeline icon ()
always indicates an additional timeline. To focus your timeline
on the time period of just one era, event, famous person, etc. click this
icon when it appears. A new timeline will be created dictated by your
selection.
netTrekker Search allows you to expand and contract the five main categories of a timeline by using the small arrows found next to each category title. Select the "expanding" arrow (pointing down) to increase the number of items displayed in a category, up to a maximum of thirty; select the "contracting" arrow (pointing up) to decrease the number of items displayed in a category.
When you select a span of time for your Dynamic
Timeline, you are not necessarily restricted to those dates. Use
the 
buttons to move the timeline backward or forward in time.
netTrekker Search allows you to add layers of disciplines
onto an existing timeline when you begin with a pre-defined timeline rather
than beginning with a time span. By adding layers to your timeline, you
can create a cross-discipline tool that fits your needs. Select a layer
from the pull-down menu at the top of the screen and click 
. A legend will appear at the top of your
timeline indicating the new layer or layers.
 |
You only have access to the Save the Timeline feature if you are logged into netTrekker Search as an individual user. If you access netTrekker Search through your school's IP address, you can register for free as an individual user if you want to use this feature. |
Once you have created and expanded a timeline to suit your purposes, you can save it and share it in the same way that you can Save Searches and manage your Portfolio.
Click on 
at the top of
the timeline. This will take you to a dialog box where you can edit the
title, add a description and/or place the timeline within an existing
folder, if you choose.
Click on 
to include your
Timeline in your Portfolio.
Now you can manage your timeline in all the ways you manage other saved searches. For mor information on how to handle saved searches, check out the My Portfolio help.
netTrekker Search also provides instant access to timelines focused around the dates of the lives of famous people and significant events with the People and Events Timeline.
You can also access timelines from a Subject
Search drill-down wherever you see ,
the Timeline hourglass icon.