Surfing With GoogleSurfing With Google

Google Search FeaturesGoogle Search Features

• In addition to providing easy access In addition to providing easy access to billions of web pages, Google has to billions of web pages, Google has many special features to help you to many special features to help you to find exactly what you’re looking for. find exactly what you’re looking for.

• Google is constantly making changes Google is constantly making changes to their page. One recent change to their page. One recent change was the Black Tool Bar.was the Black Tool Bar.

Google’s Black Tool Bar shown above is soon to be removed and replaced with an Applications Button. (next slide)

Applications Button:Applications Button:Notice that +YOU, GMAIL and IMAGES are still shownNotice that +YOU, GMAIL and IMAGES are still shown

Click on the Applications Click on the Applications ButtonButtonand you get all the Apps that and you get all the Apps that were on the Black Tool Bar:were on the Black Tool Bar:

• Search is simple: just type whatever comes Search is simple: just type whatever comes to mind in the search box, hit to mind in the search box, hit EnterEnter or click or click the the SearchSearch button, and Google will search button, and Google will search the web for content that's relevant to your the web for content that's relevant to your search. If you have Google Instant search. If you have Google Instant (autocomplete) enabled, results may (autocomplete) enabled, results may appear dynamically as you type.appear dynamically as you type.

• Feeling LuckyFeeling Lucky will go to first item of the will go to first item of the search results.search results.

• Most of the time, you'll find exactly what Most of the time, you'll find exactly what you're looking for with just a basic query you're looking for with just a basic query (the word or phrase you search for). (the word or phrase you search for).

Just type what your Just type what your searching for in the search searching for in the search box:box:

Steam trains

As soon as you start typing –As soon as you start typing –Auto Search will open – and Auto Search will open – and display the search results display the search results and a menu.and a menu.

On the far right side you will On the far right side you will notice a Settings Tool.notice a Settings Tool.If you don’t like Google Instant – click If you don’t like Google Instant – click on Search Settings and turn it off.on Search Settings and turn it off.

In Search Settings you can In Search Settings you can control Google Instantcontrol Google Instant

• 10 Search Results are displayed per page. 10 Search Results are displayed per page.

• If you don’t find what you are looking for, If you don’t find what you are looking for, scroll down to the bottom of the search scroll down to the bottom of the search results page and click next. In this example, results page and click next. In this example, you have about 3 Million pages to pick from.you have about 3 Million pages to pick from.

• Every word matters. Generally, all the Every word matters. Generally, all the words you put in the query will be used. words you put in the query will be used.

• Search is NOT case sensitive. A search Search is NOT case sensitive. A search for [ sydney australia ] is the same as a for [ sydney australia ] is the same as a search for [ Sydney Australia ]. search for [ Sydney Australia ].

• Generally, punctuation is ignored, Generally, punctuation is ignored, including @#$%^&*()=+[]\ and other including @#$%^&*()=+[]\ and other special characters. special characters.

There are some exceptions to these There are some exceptions to these rules: rules:

• Exceptions to 'Every word matters'Exceptions to 'Every word matters'• Words that are commonly used, like 'the,' 'a,' and 'for,' Words that are commonly used, like 'the,' 'a,' and 'for,'

are usually ignored (these are called stop words). But are usually ignored (these are called stop words). But there are even exceptions to this exception. The search there are even exceptions to this exception. The search

[ the who ] likely refers to the band; the query [ who ] [ the who ] likely refers to the band; the query [ who ] probably refers to the World Health Organization -- probably refers to the World Health Organization -- Google will not ignore the word 'the' in the first query. Google will not ignore the word 'the' in the first query.

• Synonyms might replace some words in your original Synonyms might replace some words in your original query. (Adding query. (Adding ++ before a word disables synonyms.) before a word disables synonyms.)

• A particular word might not appear on a page in your A particular word might not appear on a page in your results if there is sufficient other evidence that the results if there is sufficient other evidence that the page is relevant. The evidence might come from page is relevant. The evidence might come from language analysis that Google has done or many other language analysis that Google has done or many other sources. For example, the query [ overhead view of the sources. For example, the query [ overhead view of the bellagio pool ] will give you nice overhead pictures bellagio pool ] will give you nice overhead pictures from pages that do not include the word 'overhead.' from pages that do not include the word 'overhead.'

• Punctuation that is not ignoredPunctuation that is not ignored• Punctuation in popular terms that have particular Punctuation in popular terms that have particular

meanings, like [ C++ ] or [ C# ] (both are names meanings, like [ C++ ] or [ C# ] (both are names of programming languages), are not ignored. of programming languages), are not ignored.

• The dollar sign ($) is used to indicate prices. The dollar sign ($) is used to indicate prices. [ nikon 400] and [ nikon $400 ] will give different [ nikon 400] and [ nikon $400 ] will give different results. results.

• The hyphen The hyphen -- is sometimes used as a signal that is sometimes used as a signal that the two words around it are very strongly the two words around it are very strongly connected. (Unless there is no space after the - connected. (Unless there is no space after the - and a space before it, in which case it is a and a space before it, in which case it is a negative sign.) negative sign.)

• The underscore symbol The underscore symbol __ is not ignored when it is not ignored when it connects two words, e.g. [ quick_sort ]. connects two words, e.g. [ quick_sort ].

Tips for better searchesTips for better searches

• Keep it simple.Keep it simple. If you're looking for a If you're looking for a particular company, just enter its particular company, just enter its name, or as much of its name as you name, or as much of its name as you can recall. If you're looking for a can recall. If you're looking for a particular concept, place, or product, particular concept, place, or product, start with its name. If you're looking start with its name. If you're looking for a pizza restaurant, just enter pizza for a pizza restaurant, just enter pizza and the name of your town or your zip and the name of your town or your zip code. Most queries do not require code. Most queries do not require advanced operators or unusual advanced operators or unusual syntax. Simple is good. syntax. Simple is good.

• Think how the page you are looking for Think how the page you are looking for will be written.will be written. A search engine is not a A search engine is not a human, it is a program that matches the human, it is a program that matches the words you give to pages on the web. words you give to pages on the web. Use Use the words that are most likely to the words that are most likely to appear on the page.appear on the page. For example, instead For example, instead of saying [ my head hurts ], say of saying [ my head hurts ], say [ headache ], because that's the term a [ headache ], because that's the term a medical page will use. The query [ in what medical page will use. The query [ in what country are bats considered an omen of country are bats considered an omen of good luck? ] is very clear to a person, but good luck? ] is very clear to a person, but the document that gives the answer may not the document that gives the answer may not have those words. Instead, use the query have those words. Instead, use the query [ bats are considered good luck in ] or even [ bats are considered good luck in ] or even just [ bats good luck ], because that is just [ bats good luck ], because that is probably what the right page will say. probably what the right page will say.

• Describe what you need with as few Describe what you need with as few terms as possible.terms as possible. The goal of each The goal of each word in a query is to focus it further. Since word in a query is to focus it further. Since all words are used, each additional word all words are used, each additional word limits the results. If you limit too much, limits the results. If you limit too much, you will miss a lot of useful information. you will miss a lot of useful information. The main advantage to starting with fewer The main advantage to starting with fewer keywords is that, if you don't get what you keywords is that, if you don't get what you need, the results will likely give you a need, the results will likely give you a good indication of what additional words good indication of what additional words are needed to refine your results on the are needed to refine your results on the next search. For example, [ weather next search. For example, [ weather cancun ] is a simple way to find the cancun ] is a simple way to find the weather and it is likely to give better weather and it is likely to give better results than the longer [ weather report for results than the longer [ weather report for cancun mexico ]. cancun mexico ].

• Choose descriptive words.Choose descriptive words. The more The more unique the word is the more likely you unique the word is the more likely you are to get relevant results. Words that are to get relevant results. Words that are not very descriptive, like 'document,' are not very descriptive, like 'document,' 'website,' 'company,' or 'info,' are 'website,' 'company,' or 'info,' are usually not needed. Keep in mind, usually not needed. Keep in mind, however, that even if the word has the however, that even if the word has the correct meaning but it is not the one correct meaning but it is not the one most people use, it may not match the most people use, it may not match the pages you need. For example, [ celebrity pages you need. For example, [ celebrity ringtones ] is more descriptive and ringtones ] is more descriptive and specific than [ celebrity sounds ]. specific than [ celebrity sounds ].

Phrase search ("")Phrase search ("")

• By putting double quotes around a set of By putting double quotes around a set of words, you are telling Google to consider words, you are telling Google to consider the exact words in that exact order without the exact words in that exact order without any change. Google already uses the order any change. Google already uses the order and the fact that the words are together as and the fact that the words are together as a very strong signal and will stray from it a very strong signal and will stray from it only for a good reason, so quotes are only for a good reason, so quotes are usually unnecessary. By insisting on phrase usually unnecessary. By insisting on phrase search you might be missing good results search you might be missing good results accidentally. For example, a search for accidentally. For example, a search for [ "Alexander Bell" ] (with quotes) will miss [ "Alexander Bell" ] (with quotes) will miss the pages that refer to Alexander the pages that refer to Alexander G.G. Bell. Bell.

Example of using Quotes:Example of using Quotes:(without)(without)

With QuotesWith Quotes

Another Example of QuotesAnother Example of Quotes

Search within a specific Search within a specific website (site:)website (site:)

•Google allows you to specify that your search Google allows you to specify that your search results must come from a given website. For results must come from a given website. For example, the query [ iraq site:nytimes.com ] will example, the query [ iraq site:nytimes.com ] will return pages about Iraq but only from return pages about Iraq but only from nytimes.com. The simpler queries [ iraq nytimes.com. The simpler queries [ iraq nytimes.com ] or [ iraq New York Times ] will nytimes.com ] or [ iraq New York Times ] will usually be just as good, though they might return usually be just as good, though they might return results from other sites that mention the New York results from other sites that mention the New York Times. You can also specify a whole class of sites, Times. You can also specify a whole class of sites, for example [ iraq site:.gov ] will return results only for example [ iraq site:.gov ] will return results only from a .gov domain and [ iraq site:.iq ] will return from a .gov domain and [ iraq site:.iq ] will return results only from Iraqi sites. results only from Iraqi sites.

Terms you want to exclude Terms you want to exclude (-)(-)

• Terms you want to exclude (-)Terms you want to exclude (-)Attaching a minus sign immediately before a word indicates Attaching a minus sign immediately before a word indicates that you do not want pages that contain this word to appear that you do not want pages that contain this word to appear in your results. The minus sign should appear immediately in your results. The minus sign should appear immediately before the word and should be preceded with a space. For before the word and should be preceded with a space. For example, in the query [ anti-virus software ], the minus sign example, in the query [ anti-virus software ], the minus sign is used as a hyphen and will not be interpreted as an is used as a hyphen and will not be interpreted as an exclusion symbol; whereas the query [ anti-virus -software ] exclusion symbol; whereas the query [ anti-virus -software ] will search for the words 'anti-virus' but exclude references will search for the words 'anti-virus' but exclude references to software. You can exclude as many words as you want to software. You can exclude as many words as you want by using the by using the -- sign in front of all of them, for example sign in front of all of them, for example [ jaguar -cars -football -os ]. The [ jaguar -cars -football -os ]. The -- sign can be used to sign can be used to exclude more than just words. For example, place a hyphen exclude more than just words. For example, place a hyphen before the 'site:' operator (without a space) to exclude a before the 'site:' operator (without a space) to exclude a specific site from your search results. specific site from your search results.

Fill in the blanks (*)Fill in the blanks (*)

•The The **, or wildcard, is a little-known feature that can , or wildcard, is a little-known feature that can be very powerful. If you include be very powerful. If you include ** within a query, it within a query, it tells Google to try to treat the star as a placeholder tells Google to try to treat the star as a placeholder for any unknown term(s) and then find the best for any unknown term(s) and then find the best matches. For example, the search [ Google * ] will matches. For example, the search [ Google * ] will give you results about many of Google's products give you results about many of Google's products (go to next page and next page -- we have many (go to next page and next page -- we have many products). The query [ Obama voted * on the * bill ] products). The query [ Obama voted * on the * bill ] will give you stories about different votes on will give you stories about different votes on different bills. Note that the * operator works only different bills. Note that the * operator works only on whole words, not parts of words. on whole words, not parts of words.

Search exactly as is (+)Search exactly as is (+)

• Search exactly as is (+)Search exactly as is (+)Google employs synonyms automatically, so that Google employs synonyms automatically, so that it finds pages that mention, for example, it finds pages that mention, for example, childcare for the query [ child care ] (with a childcare for the query [ child care ] (with a space), or California history for the query [ ca space), or California history for the query [ ca history ]. But sometimes Google helps out a little history ]. But sometimes Google helps out a little too much and gives you a synonym when you too much and gives you a synonym when you don't really want it. By attaching a don't really want it. By attaching a ++ immediately immediately before a word (remember, don't add a space after before a word (remember, don't add a space after the +), you are telling Google to match that word the +), you are telling Google to match that word precisely as you typed it. Putting double quotes precisely as you typed it. Putting double quotes around a single word will do the same thing. around a single word will do the same thing.

The OR operatorThe OR operator

•Google's default behaviour is to consider all the Google's default behaviour is to consider all the words in a search. If you want to specifically allow words in a search. If you want to specifically allow eithereither one of several words, you can use the OR one of several words, you can use the OR operator (note that you have to type 'OR' in ALL operator (note that you have to type 'OR' in ALL CAPS). For example, [ San Francisco Giants 2004 CAPS). For example, [ San Francisco Giants 2004 OR 2005 ] will give you results about either one of OR 2005 ] will give you results about either one of these years, whereas [ San Francisco Giants 2004 these years, whereas [ San Francisco Giants 2004 2005 ] (without the OR) will show pages that 2005 ] (without the OR) will show pages that include both years on the same page. The symbol include both years on the same page. The symbol || can be substituted for OR. (The AND operator, can be substituted for OR. (The AND operator, by the way, is the default, so it is not needed.) by the way, is the default, so it is not needed.)

Special Search FeaturesSpecial Search Features

• Weather: To see the weather for Weather: To see the weather for many cities, type “weather” followed many cities, type “weather” followed by the city and state, and country. by the city and state, and country.

Stock Quotes Stock Quotes

• To see current market data for a To see current market data for a given company or fund, type the given company or fund, type the ticker symbol into the search box. On ticker symbol into the search box. On the results page, you can click the the results page, you can click the link to see more data from Google link to see more data from Google Finance. Finance.

TIMETIME• To see the time in many cities around the To see the time in many cities around the

world, type in “time” and the name of the city.world, type in “time” and the name of the city.

•

Sunrise & Sunset Sunrise & Sunset

• To see the precise times of sunrises and To see the precise times of sunrises and sunsets for many U.S. and worldwide sunsets for many U.S. and worldwide cities, type “sunrise” or “sunset” followed cities, type “sunrise” or “sunset” followed by the city name. by the city name.

Calculator Calculator

The list of special features The list of special features seems endless: seems endless:

• WeatherWeather• TimeTime• Stock QuotesStock Quotes• Sports ScoresSports Scores• Sunset / SunriseSunset / Sunrise• CalculatorCalculator• Book Search Book Search • Earthquakes Earthquakes • Unit Conversion Unit Conversion

• Public Data Public Data • People ProfilesPeople Profiles• Synonym Search Synonym Search • Dictionary Definitions Dictionary Definitions • Spell Checker Spell Checker • Local Search Local Search • Movie Showtimes Movie Showtimes • Health Conditions Health Conditions • Medications Medications • Poison Control Poison Control

• Suicide PreventionSuicide Prevention• Flu Vaccine FinderFlu Vaccine Finder• Flight Tracking Flight Tracking • Flight Schedules Flight Schedules • Currency Conversion Currency Conversion • Maps Maps • Patent Numbers Patent Numbers

• These are the subjects on Special These are the subjects on Special Searches. Go toSearches. Go to

• http://www.google.com/help/features.html• For a complete list and how to use For a complete list and how to use

them.them.

Google MapsGoogle Maps

• Google Maps is closely linked to Google Maps is closely linked to Google Earth and provides a very Google Earth and provides a very detailed set of maps. Here is one detailed set of maps. Here is one example how to use MAPS.example how to use MAPS.

Get DirectionsGet Directions

• You arrive at Los Angeles Airport, You arrive at Los Angeles Airport, rent a car, and what to drive to rent a car, and what to drive to Disneyland, but how do you navigate Disneyland, but how do you navigate the LA Freeway system? the LA Freeway system?

Click on MAPSClick on MAPS

In Block A, type the starting point. In Block A, type the starting point. In Block B, type the destination. You In Block B, type the destination. You may be presented with a list to chose may be presented with a list to chose from.from.

This Map will be shown:This Map will be shown:

And Directions:And Directions:• Driving directions to Disneyland, 1313 S Harbor Blvd, Driving directions to Disneyland, 1313 S Harbor Blvd,

Anaheim, CA 92802, USAAnaheim, CA 92802, USA• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)1 World Way, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)1 World Way,

Los Angeles, CA 90045, USALos Angeles, CA 90045, USA1.1. Head Head southsouth on on World WayWorld Way towards towards West WayWest Way 0.7 mi 0.7 mi 2.2. Keep right Keep right at the fork and merge onto at the fork and merge onto S Sepulveda BlvdS Sepulveda Blvd 0.7 mi 0.7 mi 3.3. Slight right onto the Slight right onto the I-105 EI-105 E ramp 354 ft ramp 354 ft 4.4. Keep left at the fork and merge onto Keep left at the fork and merge onto I-105 EI-105 E 17.0 mi 17.0 mi 5.5. Take exit Take exit 1818 to merge onto to merge onto I-605 SI-605 S 2.7 mi 2.7 mi 6.6. Take exit Take exit 7A7A to merge onto to merge onto CA-91 ECA-91 E 7.6 mi 7.6 mi 7.7. Take Take exit exit 2424 to merge onto to merge onto I-5 SI-5 S towards towards Santa AnaSanta Ana 5.0 mi 5.0 mi 8.8. Take exit Take exit 110A110A for for Harbor BlvdHarbor Blvd towards towards Convention CenterConvention Center 0.2 mi 0.2 mi 9.9. Keep right at the fork, Keep right at the fork, follow signs for follow signs for Harbor Boulevard SHarbor Boulevard S and merge and merge onto onto S Harbor BlvdS Harbor BlvdDestination will be on the Destination will be on the right0.2 mi Disneyland1313 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, right0.2 mi Disneyland1313 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802, USACA 92802, USA

Other Google Features:Other Google Features:

• Click on MORE >Click on MORE >

• ““Even More” is too big to fit on one Even More” is too big to fit on one slide.slide.

• There are 32 different subjects to There are 32 different subjects to chose from.chose from.

• Google is constantly changing these Google is constantly changing these items around. So go back often to items around. So go back often to see what they have added.see what they have added.

What is “Sign In” in the upper What is “Sign In” in the upper right corner? right corner?

The End - EnjoyThe End - Enjoy