Did you know... Google, more than just a search engine

A guide to the various faces of Google

Author:  Tina Landers

We've all used Google's Search Engine and made some comment about how fast it is, but the majority of Google users don't give it another thought. Google offers users far more than its Search Engine, and some of Google's facilities are well worth knowing about.

First though, a little humour. While not always Google's humour, it's Search Engine can often provide a funny result. Try this for yourself:

• In your Google search box type French Military Victories and then click on the "I Feel Lucky" button. Here is the result you get.
• If you were a fan of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", you may remember that the hypercomputer "Deep Thought" was given the task of finding the answer to life, the universe and everything. After more than 7 million years of processing, Deep Thought came-up with the answer. Remember? No? Well then, ask Google - type in the answer to life, the universe and everything. Go ahead, try it below -
• Try spelling Google backwards (elgoog) and see what you get. Go on, give it a try below -
• And lastly, if you're a Star Trek fan you'd know all about the Klingons - the sworn enemies of the Federation. The good folks at Google must be fans too, they've created a search facility in the Klingon language. Take a look here.

• 8+4
• 12-6
• 18/9
•  6*3
• 72% of 100

As a converter: try typing these above

• 5 USD in GBP
• currency of India in French money
• 5 Australian dollars in Japanese Yen
• 12 feet in inches
• 180 cm in yards

To find a definition rather than websites containing a word, simply type define in front of the word or phrase. Try this above -

• define world wide web

To search for images, simply put the word pictures after your search term. Try this above -

• London pictures

To find answers to a question, simply ask the question. Try this above -

• population of China

To search for a word or phrase in a particular site, type the word/s followed by site:www.sitename.com. Try it -

• faces of google site:www.miceandme.com

To get stock information, enter the stock symbol in the search box. Try it above -

• MSFT

The "I'm Feeling Lucky" button is used to take you straight to the site name that you type in. Try it (you can't try it above) -

• Type miceandme and then click on I'm Feeling Lucky button

Can't remember a movie title but remember something about it? Search using the movie: prefix. Try this above -

• movie: red

And then, of course, there are the freebies that Google allows everyone to use. Here a sample:

Picasa - is a digital phoro organiser, image editor and much more. Picasa can find all the photos on your computer and arrange them in a digital album for you. It allows you to edit your photos - crop, correct colouring, fix red-eye, add special effects, etc. It provides facilities to print your photos, copy them to a CD, display them as a presentation, and more.

If you don't have a photo album facility, try Picasa. It works well and it's free. You can find out more and download it here.

GMail - is Google's web-based email service. It offers an easy-to-use email facility and loads of space to store all your messages. It also provides a "Chat" facility so that you can communicate with friends in real-time. If you need to, you can even access GMail via your cell/mobile phone (if you have Internet access on it).

The best part of GMail is the amount of space it offers to save your messages and anything else. Actually, I lie, the best part is that it's free. You can find out more here.

Google Calendar - is a web-based diary facility that let's you keep yourself and your life organised. You can even share it with others if you choose. You can use if as a family diary so everyone knows what everyone else is doing on any particular day or at any time. Being web-based, you can only use it when you're connected to the Internet, which doesn't always suit everyone. Again, the best part is that it's free. You can find out more here.

Google Notebook - is a web-based electronic notebook which allows you to store information from websites, keep your own notes, clippings etc., all from within your Web Browser.

If you're an information collector, this is an easy way to keep your information safe and organised. The only negative about is that you need to be connected to the Internet to use it. Again, it's free. You can find out more here.

Google Earth - is an amazing three dimensional map of the world (as seen from space) where you can "zoom" in to any location on the planet. Chances are, you'll even be able to find and see your street and house. You can search for places and view them from different angles and give yourself a "virtual" around-the-world trip, all without leaving your computer. Interesting and fun.

Update:  Google has recently released an addition to Google Earth called Google Sky. This feature allows you explore the skies above you, wherever on earth you happen to be. Check out this introductory video:

Click on the "Play" icon to watch the video

You can find out more about Google Earth/Sky here.

Google SketchUp - is a 3D modelling tool. If 3D modelling interests you, SketchUp may be worth exploring. It's not something we've used so we can't tell you any more than where to find it.

You can find out more about it here.

If you'd like to know how to download and install software, you can read a more detailed article here.

Next time you perform a search using Google, experiment with the search facility using some of the tips listed in this article. You never know what you'll find.