Advanced Google Ref Tools Lilrc Bitting

4/26/09 Google > More > Even More [email protected]

1

Google > More > Even MoreTools for the Reference Desk

Long Island Library Resource CouncilApril 24, 2009

Diana [email protected]


2

Workshop Topics

1. Google Advanced Search Features – get free,

on-demand training; become a super searcher in no time

2. Google Web Search Features – useful everyday

information tools

3. iGoogle - build your own ready reference tool

4. Google Custom Search Engine – direct your

patron’s searching; put your expertise to work


3

But first, a little fun!

How much do you know about Google?


4

The Google name is:

A. a name made up by staff of Stanford University, where Google was invented

B. a play on the word Googol, a math term for the number 1 followed by 100 zeros

C. a Russian slang word for “watch out,” chosen by Sergey Brin, Google inventor and native of Moscow.

Google Fun Facts


5

What was the combined age of Google inventors Sergey Brin and Larry Page when they invented Google?

A. 54

B. 60

C. 47

D. 58

Google Fun Facts


6

Google allows for the searching of pages written in how many languages?

A. 22

B. 45

C. 31

D. 39

Google Fun Facts


7

The Google headquarters in Mountainview, CA is known as:

A. GoogleCenter

B. Googleville

C. GoogleWorld

D. GooglePlex

Google Fun Facts


8

The simplicity of the Google interface was originally put in place because:

A. The inventors did know enough HTML to create more content.

B. The inventors were just playing around with an idea, and did not think it would go much further.

C. The inventors did not want to copy other search engine models in use at the time.

Google Fun Facts


9

The best estimate of the numbers of Web pages currently indexed by Google is:

A. 5 billion.

B. 1 trillion

C. 80 billion

D. 35 billion

Google Fun Facts


10

The following 2008 development doubled the use of Google:

A. Google Gadgets

B. iGoogle

C. Google “Did you mean?”

D. Google Custom Search Engine

Google Fun Facts


11

Google Translate is capable of automatic translation between how many languages, covering 98% of the languages read by Internet users.

A. 101

B. 55

C. 41

D. 87

Google Fun Facts


12

The original name of the search service invented by Page and Brin was:

A. FindAll

B. StanSearch

C. PageIt

D. BackRub

Google Fun Facts


13

In 2006 Google acquired what other popular Web service?

A. Friendster

B. YouTube

C. Flickr

D. StreetView

Google Fun Facts


14

Google Advanced Search

• Easy to use

• Search with more precision

• Reduce the number of results to explore, evaluate

• Excellent way to learn advanced search syntax

Google Advanced Search


15

Google Advanced Search Form

Use form to enter search data here

Learn search syntax here


16

Google Basic Search Form

Now apply what you have learned to enter advanced searches here


17

Google Special Search Features

In addition to providing easy access to a trillion web pages, Google has many special and easy-to-use features to help you to find exactly what you are looking for such as:

- stock quotes - and much, much more

- unit conversions

- word definitions

- airport and airline info

- product info


18


To see the weather for many U.S. and worldwide cities, type "weather" followed by the city and state, U.S. zip code, or city and country.


19


To see current market data for a given company or fund, type in the stock code.


20


To see the time in many cities around the world, type in "time" and the name of the city.


21


To use Google's as a calculator, simply enter the calculation you'd like done into the search box.


22


To see a list of different definitions from various online sources, you can type "define:" followed by a word or phrase.


23


Search for books or authors and follow the link to Google Books. Look inside a book, find a book in a library, or purchase a book.


24


You can use Google to convert between many different units of measurement such as height, weight, and volume, among many others.


25


To find reviews and show times for movies playing near you, type "movies" or the name of a current film into the Google search box.


26


To see flight status for arriving and departing U.S. flights, type in the name of the airline and the flight number into the search box.


27


Look up product information by entering a UPC code.


28


Look up aircraft information using the tail number.


29

iGoogle

A reference librarian’s dream, iGoogle allows you to customize your Google interface to include Google and other services and gadgets, and to make them available in a customized Google interface.


30

iGoogle

With iGoogle you can:

- Create a customized Google interface in which you can include the Google services and gadgets you use most- Choose a theme for your page- Customize the page for the specific work you do- Arrange items on the page the way you want them- Include a custom search engine for reference work, both in general and for specific topics


31

iGoogle

To set up and use iGoogle for the first time:– Click on the iGoogle link in the upper right-

hand side of the main Google page– Identify the “Select Interests” and “Select a

Theme” areas


32

iGoogle

To add services and gadgets– From the iGoogle home page, click on the

“Add Stuff” link.


33

iGoogle

To add services and gadgets– Browse through the categories and

identify the gadgets you’d like to include– Click on the “Add it now” button for a

specified gadget


34

iGoogle

To add non-Google gadgets– Click on the “Add Stuff” link– Enter a term to find relevant sites with

available gadgets– Click on the “Add it now” button for the

selected gadget


35

iGoogle

To customize the look of iGoogle– move items by dragging and dropping

them around the screen– Collapse and expand items using the tools

in the gadget title bar


36

iGoogle

To further customize the look of iGoogle, you may add “tabs” to your page

Each tab can have its own theme, and its own set of resources


37

iGoogle

One of the biggest benefits to using iGoogle is that your custom ready reference iGoogle tabbed pages are available to you anytime from anywhere, as long as you are logged into your Google account.


38

Google Custom Search Engine

Google Custom Search Engine is another gadget that allows you to– Specify the sites you want to include in

searches. – Place a search box and search results on

your iGoogle page or your website. – Customize the look and feel to match your

website. – Invite your community to contribute to the

search engine.


39


To use Google Custom Search Engine,– visit http://google.com/coop/cse/ – you must be a registered Google user– Use the “getting started box to define your

engine


40


Once created, you can access the settings of your custom search engines by clicking on the “MyAccount” link in Google.


41

Summary

Google Advanced Search Features

Use the Google Advanced Search form to conduct more

precise searches, as well as to train yourself how

to form advanced searches from the Google basic

search page.

strategic defense initiative -site:gov OR -site:mil

allinurl:ballroom dancing OR ballroom dance

vizio +1080p tv OR television $500..$750


42

Summary

Google Web Search Features

Use the Google Web Search features to quickly and

easily find and use everyday information. Teach

your patrons how to use Google as a calculator,

flight tracker, dictionary, unit converter, and more.

Dictionary - define: manumit

Product Information – 029000078789

Unit Converter - 20 us dollars in peruvian nuevo

sol

Flight Information - swa 50


43

Summary

iGoogle - build your own ready reference tool

- populate it with your favorite online tools

- segment and organize it by type of tools

- create and share your own gadgets


44

Summary


- create custom search engines around particular

topics

- direct your patron’s searching

- invite other topic experts to contribute

- place your search engine on your iGoogle page

- place your search engine on any web page


45

Resources for Further Exploration

Google Web Search Features

http://www.google.com/help/features.html

iGoogle

http://www.google.com/ig

Google Custom Search

http://google.com/coop/cse/

Google Guide

http://www.googleguide.com/

Education

Advanced Google Ref Tools Lilrc Bitting