Date: 2004-06-21 Category: Events
Search Engine Tips
When using search engines, remember the following:
Using a + before a word means the word must be found on the page. Using a - means the word must not be on the results page.
Example:
Now, if we try the same search again using - to remove Dogpile from the search results
Dogpile has now successfully been removed from the search
Now consider we’re only interested in pages containing the word Mamma, so we’d add +Mamma
Notice that every result now contains Mamma, and Dogpile is nowhere to be seen.
Now, we’re looking for best results, so add +"best results". This will only return pages where "best results" can be found.
Notice the 3rd result, "best results" is nowhere to be seen, yet we’ve said it’s a requirement. Even if you click on the page and search it, still no luck.
To find out why, click on Googles cached copy of the page instead, this is also good if a page no longer exists on the web as Google may still retain a copy of it in its cache.
If you click the cached result of the 3rd result, Google explains why the page was included in the results even though "best results" was not to be found.
By adding more +"word", -"short phrases", etc.. you can can narrow your results from millions down to a small handful in a matter of seconds. You can also be sure that the results you get are far more relevant than entering just one simple phrase and clicking the search button.
Opening multiple results at once, and avoiding the dreaded popups
Internet Explorer currently only allows you to look at one page at a time unless you are willing to open a new window.
It is possible to open a link in a new window by right clicking it, and chosing Open in New Window.
A nicer option is to use a tabbed browser, such as Opera or Crazy Browser Note: Crazy Browser, not PowerIE.
Tabbed Browsers allow you to have multiple pages open at once, all within one window.
Most tabbed browsers also include popup killers and prevent annoying adverts popping up all over your screen.
Mark Kiddell
