tips

Dr. Google, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Problems

Google is your friend.

Whether you’re having trouble with your computer, girlfriend/boyfriend, car, kitchen appliance, or anything else you can possibly think of, Google can help.

Every time your computer breaks, you don’t have to call the poor folks at the Help Desk who hear from you way to much, nor do you have to talk to your nerdy neighbor (adult or child) whom you absolutely despise because they are way to high on themselves. Next time, you can try Google.

Let's get started.

First, I want you to open up your browser of choice (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc). On a Windows XP computer you could do this by going to “Start,” “All Programs,” and then “Internet Explorer.”

In the address bar, type in http://www.google.com and press the “Enter” key.

Notice in the center of the page a long white rectangular box with a gray border. That’s what we call a “textbox.” You can type in that. Now, type your question into that box. When you’re done click the gray button “Google Search.”

And…BAM! There’s your answer. Click on one of the links (the largest text that is blue and has a line under it…preferably click on one that seems the most pertinent) and it will take you to your answer with lots more information and detail.

Now, perhaps you didn’t get so lucky and that wasn’t quite the answer you were looking for. Type http://www.google.com into the address bar in your browser and press the "Enter" key again.

This time I would recommend trying different words that may explain the task you’re trying to solve with more clarity. If you just can’t seem to get it – keep trying – you’ll eventually get it.

Google can also do other neat tricks.

To exclude the word hello from your search:
-hello

To limit your search to Augie’s website:
site:augie.edu

To search all websites except Augie’s:
-site:augie.edu

To limit your search to an edu site:
site:edu

To define the word viking:
define:viking

To search for websites that contain Augustana in their title:
intitle:Augustana

To search for websites that contain hello in their url:
url:hello

To search for websites that contain Augustana in their text:
intext:Augustana

Other advanced searching capabilities can be found here.

Please try using Google before harassing the world.

Thank you.

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