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Homework
Week 6
Google has been my go-to search engine for many years. It is a free, simple, and thorough way for one to get quick information on practically anything.
There are everyday essentials and reference tools. With everyday essentials you can check stock quotes by typing in the ticker code directly into the search box ie siri. You can also check the time around the world ie. time hawaii, sports scores and schedules by entering a team league or name into searchbox ie. san francisco 49ers , and the sunset/sunrise in many different cities worldwide by entering "sunset" or "sunrise" followed by the city name, ie sunset Waikiki. The useful reference tools include a built in calculator, a book search, a recent earthquake activity checker, units of measurement conversions, public data, and people searches.
Google has easy to use keyword functions like a synonym search, dictionary definitions, and an automatic spell checker. To access the dictionary function all you have to do is type "define", then space, then the word you want to look up. ie define hamburger. To find synonyms for a word, simply use the tilde sign (~) then the word you want to look up, then hit search. ie ~garbage.
Google also makes it easy to search local business and also movie times in your area. To search a business like a restaurant or store, simple enter a category of business and the location and a results page with maps, reviews, and contact information will show up. ie hamburger 90232. To search showtimes and movie reviews for shows in your area, type "movies" or the name of the movie you want to see in the google search box followed by your location if you don't already have a location saved. ie movies 90232.
You can do number searches where you can type in specific ups, usps, or FedEx tracking numbers directly into the search box to getting your package tracking information. You can also search a patent information by typing in "patent" followed by the patent number into the search box.
Google has intuitive health search functions, as well. Simply type in a disease or symptom, medication names, poison control or similar queries, suicide prevention into the search box to get plenty of useful information. There is also a flu vaccine finder that you can access by typing in "flu" in the searchbox.
Google makes it easier for you to plan a trip. You can see flight stats for arriving and departing U.S. flights by typing the airline and flight number into the search box ie. American Airlines 177. There is also a built in currencey converter ie. 10000 pesos in USD. You can also access maps of a specific location by typing in the name or U.S. zip code of a location followed by the word map ie Los Angeles map.
There are also query refinements that you can use to help you search subjects more efficiently. If a common word is essential to getting the results you want, you can make sure we pay attention to it by putting a "+" sign in front of it. ie dominant + and submissive.To search for web pages that have similar information, type "related:" then the website in question. Google can also fill in the blanks of a phrase or question by adding an asterick (*) where you would want information to be filled out. ie Columbus sailed *
Searching via Googles toolbox is extremely easy. I have the google toolbar installed in my web browser's navigation bar, so it takes seconds for me to look up practically anything I could possibly want to know about.