Get your Google on

Search engine expert to give pointers at Princeton Public Library

By: Nick Norlen
   Before "Google" became a verb, Nancy Blachman was using the search engine for all her Internet browsing needs.
   Since then, the former Stanford University computer science professor has written a number of books and tutorials to impart her wealth of knowledge on the best ways to utilize Google’s searching capacity.
   Now, she maintains a comprehensive catalog of the search tips and tricks at her Web site, www.googleguide.com.
   She’ll appear at Princeton Public Library from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to present "Google Shortcuts: Find What You Want (More) Quickly" as part of the Tuesday Technology Talks series.
   Fittingly, "The Google Guide" is the top result for a Google search of "Google tutorial."
   At Tuesday’s talk, Ms. Blachman will highlight some of the functions that can help you get the best use from its interface.
   "Google can do way more than what people think it can do," she said. "I talk to novices and experienced users, and they all seem satisfied and get different things out of my talks."
   Sometimes, she’s surprised about what features people aren’t aware of — like her favorite feature, the dictionary link.
   When performing a search, terms will appear on the top right side of the window following the number of results.
   Clicking on the terms in blue will take you to a Web site with the term’s definition.
   Users can also type "define:" into the search box, followed by any word, for a list of definitions found on the Web.
   Another useful feature is the "tilde operator," a function that allows Google to search for the terms entered as well as synonyms that will yield similar results.
   For example, typing the tilde symbol — located at the top left of the keyboard — before terms such as "affordable" and "laptop" in the same search will yield results for "cheap," "used" and "low-cost" "computers," "Dells" and other brands.
   Such operators — both basic and advanced — are featured in the "Google Cheat Sheet" at Ms. Blachman’s Google Guide.
   Some of these help to narrow search results by controlling where those results come from.
   Google determines results based on the text of the page and pointers, or links, to that page.
   But typing "allintext:" will yield only results found in the text — rather than links to — the desired pages.
   Ms. Blachman’s mastery of the search engine isn’t lost on its parent company.
   Although she said she has turned down job offers from Google a few times, she’s still "not totally independent" of the Internet giant — her husband used to work for Google, and the two still own its stock.
   But not working directly for Google allows her the freedom to disseminate the information how she pleases, she said.
   Still, Google is always responsive to her queries for more information, she said.
   "It seems to be a good relationship," she said.
   Ms. Blachman said the majority of her presentation will most likely feature a question and answer period, when people can ask about the search engine and the other services it offers, such as Google Maps, Google Calendar, and the e-mail service, Gmail.
   In the meantime, those who plan to attend the event can test their searching skills at www.googleguide.com/practice_searching_games.
   "I never know what things people don’t know," Ms. Blachman said. "I just try to cover lots of different features and make them aware of it."