Everybody has a few tricks for searching effectively on the web, but with Google and all it’s cool tools built in already it’s fun to really dig deep and see what you can find. We’re just touching the surface here, but I bet there’s one or two tricks even you didn’t know.
Images
So let’s say you’re looking for an image of someone on-line so you know what they look like when you meet them. Or you need an image of a famous face.
Type their name into Google and search images.
Searching for Jackson, for example, get’s you lots of images of all of th jacksons and their relatives, but it also gets you topo maps, city info (who knew there were so many towns called Jackson??)
But type in “Janet Jackson”, click search images and then go up to the search string at the top and add &imgtype=face
Now you’ll get back a much more tailored search.
Calculating and conversions
Google also has a built in calculator. Simply type the numbers you want calculated into the search box. It also does conversions. For example type 2 gallons in cups or 10 USD in EURO and Google will convert it for you.
Page titles
You can search for page titles only use the allintitle: operator, ( allintitle: tatu digital ) to see what pages. This is a great way to research a person or business who might be on multiple websites. You only get one reference per page, and it’s likely to be more useful since it’s the title of the page.
Phonebook
Phone numbers are easy. Type it in like this:408 555 1212 (remember the spaces) or phonebook: 408 555 1212. Need a number for a person? Try phonebook: person’s name and state abbreviation (phonebook:
MP3’s
Want some mp3’s? Easy, copy -inurl:htm -inurl:html mp3 “zeppelin” and replace zeppelin (how COULD you!) with the band you want to find. This also works with other extensions like flv, mov, wav, aiif etc. You can see the possibilities. Mind you now, it’s not always legally posted documents you find, and downloading files from people you don’t know could lead to nasty viruses and such like. You’re on your own here.
Last but not least, want the news from a particular day in history?
Type in the date december 7, 1941 and see everything online with that date…
