how efficiently you can use google

[Preeti Jamadade]

it depends on keywords. how near you can go ? again keywords needs to be searched? this is art. you can solve anything with right art of search. Are you guys good at searching ?

[Ivan Jozsef Balazs]

I sometimes use advanced search

[J. Kevin Robbins]

Two very simple tricks I use that most people probably don't know. Use minus (-pie) to exclude a word from the results, and use site: (site:coderanch.com) to limit the search to a specific domain.

There is also a trick that I forget for the moment, I'd have to look it up, but it has to do with numbers in a specific format so you can search for your own social security number or credit card numbers.

I went to try and find this last trick but can't locate it. I know some are asking, "why not just search for your social security number?". Because Google saves all your searches and I don't trust them with my information, that's why. The trick was using a partial number something like 123-45-#### so that Google doesn't get your full number but you can peruse the results for your number.

[fred rosenberger]

J. Kevin Robbins wrote:I went to try and find this last trick but can't locate it. I know some are asking, "why not just search for your social security number?". Because Google saves all your searches and I don't trust them with my information, that's why. The trick was using a partial number something like 123-45-#### so that Google doesn't get your full number but you can peruse the results for your number.

I think it's amusing that you believe Google doesn't already HAVE your SSN.

[J. Kevin Robbins]

fred rosenberger wrote:I think it's amusing that you believe Google doesn't already HAVE your SSN.

That is a bit of an optimistic stretch, isn't it? I think most of us would be shocked and appalled at how much of our information is already on file with Google and the NSA. In fact, I'm starting to believe they are one and the same.

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Searching is a skill. Just like researching in the library or the card catalog is/was a skill.

For Google, I rely heavily on quotes, minus (excluding something irrelevant) and iterative searching (using the results of one search to craft a better one.) I consider myself good at searching. As did whichever mod gave me the "internet detective" title way back when.

[J. Kevin Robbins]

Jeanne Boyarsky wrote: and iterative searching (using the results of one search to craft a better one.)

That sounds very interesting. Ironically, I just did a search for "google iterative searching" and didn't find anything helpful. Can you give us an example of that?

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

J. Kevin Robbins wrote:That sounds very interesting. Ironically, I just did a search for "google iterative searching" and didn't find anything helpful. Can you give us an example of that?

That's because I made up the term to describe it. Let me give an example. When I moved to my current apartment, I wanted to plant on the terrace. I didn't know anything about that so I asked a gardener friend. Suppose I didn't know who to ask. My first search would have been "plants on terrace." Looking at that search I see "terrace garden" and "container garden" show up a lot. So then I'd search on those terms. Repeat until know what want.