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Google: More Than a Search Engine

According to Sree Sreenivasan, "Tech Guru" of WABC in New York and professor at the Graduate School of Journalism at Colombia University, explains why he swears by Google and you should too.

Google is a search engine but he shows how it is much more, with it's many invaluable features..

Toolbar
Faster searches
Pop-up blocker
Highlighting
Word finder (find word or phrase on page)

Desktop
Windows feature that allows user to search computer's contents faster than the built in search feature

Google Alerts
Sends e-mail notifications when a searched phrase appears on the main Google Index or Google News

News
Search 4,500 constantly updated news web sites at once. The new customizable version allows by user to set up a personalized layout and news searches.

Video
Free search of television news program transcripts

Scholar
Search of academic journals

Print
When a book icon is present during a regular Google search, it enables the user to search inside the book

Maps
Use maps interactively
Click-and-drag across maps
Magnify specific areas on map
Satellite and hybrid images

Google via cellphone
Send text messages to receive Google results through phone

Google via e-mail
Send e-mail with search term in subject line -- get up to ten results in e-mail

Languages
Search pages written in various languages and can also translate text

Calculator
Use the search box to make calculations and conversions

Gmail
Extensive free e-mail that gives 2,600 MB of indefinite space. Ideal for email that uses a lot of space such as photos and PDF's and to back up mail from other accounts

Answers
Starting at $2.50, a researcher will find answers when the user can't find it elsewhere

Definitions
Find definitions to words by typing "define:" before a word in the regular Google search box

Suggest
A feature that is being tested, it would give suggestions as you type a word or phrase in the search box in real time. It is similar to Google's "Did you mean?" feature that gives alternative spellings and suggestions

Free Monitor
A feature that is exclusive to PC's, it allows you to track word, phrase and page rankings on Google

Images
Find images and photograghs

Phone Directory
Find a telephone number by typing name/business name, city and state in search box
Use the search box as a reverse phonebook by typing in a phone number
Sometimes when you type a phone number in the search box, it may include a map

Who links to a site
In the search box type in "link:" then a web address to see what websites have links to that address

Domain Search
Restrict a search to a particular domain or website by typing a search term followed by "site:" and the web address

Intitle & Intext
Restricts searches to title or text of web page. In the text box type "intitle:" and the term to find pages with that particular term in the title. Or you can search for terms in both the title and text. For example, you may be searching for one word in the title and another word in the text. Therefore you could type "intitle:" with the first word and "intext:" and the the second word.

Froogle
Use this feature to comparison shop on thousands of sites.

Google Groups
Use this feature to read the Usenet Newsgroups.

Labs
Keep track of current developments and research of Google

Advanced Search
Tips for conducting advanced searches

My Search History
Log into Gmail or other Google accounts and keep track of search history