Google Search Tips V2.0 (since the last one got overwritten)

This article will try to show you how to place Google under your fingertips, get the most out of your searches, and finally, show you some fun hidden features of Google.

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Setting up Google as the default search engine

This section applies only to users of Internet Explorer, which I strongly advise you NOT use because of the NUMEROUS security holes persent.  Firefox, my browser of choice, has a google search embedded in it already, and I think Opera does, too.

There are two ways to make Google your default search engine.

Way 1

1 - Open Internet Explorer
2 - Click on the Search button...right next to the Home button
3 - On the pane that opens in the browser, click the Customize button that's on the top right corner of the Search Pane.
4 - On the bottom of the new window that opens, click Autosearch Settings.
5 - In the new box, select "Google Sites" from the top drop down menu, and "Just display the results in the main window" from the bottom one. 
6 - Click ok, ok, close the Search Pane (by clicking the Search button by the Home button).

Now, you can just type your search query in the address bar, and Internet Explorer will automatically redirect you to the Google results page.

Way 2 (Recommended)
This step involves downloading and installing the Google Toolbar, which acts as a pop-up blocker, and provides you access to Google right at your fingertips.  Notice, Google Toolbar is not spyware or adware, it does NOT send any of your personal info or browsing habits to Google or anywhere else.

1 - Go to http://toolbar.google.com and download the Google Toolbar
2 - Chose the "Run" option, when the setup downloads and opens Agree to the terms.
3 - Now here's the IMPORTANT step.  Select the "Disable Advanced Features" so that the toolbar does not send any information to Google.  ONLY IF you select the other option, the Google Toolbar WILL send info to Google about your browsing habits.
4 - Click "next", and at the next window, choose Google.com from the top list, and check the box "Make google my default search engine."
5 - Finish the installation.  Open Internet Explorer.

Now, you have set up the Google Toolbar, you can customize its options by clicking the Options button.  You may now type in search queries into the Address bar, or the box on the Google bar, and I.E. will automatically take you to the Google search results page.

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Getting the most out of your searches

Make your search queries as short as possible, but also as specific as possible.

If you are searching for solutions to your computer problems:

- Copy and paste the first few words of any error messages you might be getting.   Most likely your problem is common and a similar error message pops up for everyone with the same problem

- If you think you got infected with a virus from an e-mail message, copy and paste some text from the suspected e-mail message.

- Ommit words like "the, a," because the search engine automatically ommits them.  For that reason DO NOT type your query as a complete sentence, for example: "My computer freezes when I run Word."  Instead you would get most results by searching using "Word (version) causes computer to freeze"

- Try to include the software version if possible: for example if your computer freezes when windows 98 second edition shuts down, search using terms like "Windows 98se shut down problems"

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Hidden Google Features

Did you know that Google can also serve as a calculator?
- Type "2.45/35" in your address bar and see what you get.

Don't know what a certain word means? DEFINE it
- Type "define centrifugal" for its definition

Need to know the exact value of PI or E or ln (pi)?
- Type "pi", or "e", or "ln pi" in the search box and see their exact values

Need to convert from kilograms to ounces? (or any other measurements for that matter)
- Type "5kg to oz" to see the result

Those are just a few features of Google.  For the whole list and on how to use them go to: http://www.google.com/help/features.html

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I hope you found at least some of this information useful.  If you have any questions or corrections regarding this article use the contact me form to let me know.

Voytek

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