More to Google than you think

Isn’t it odd that the word Google, for almost the entire population of the world, has penetrated our vocabulary so quickly and with such meaning.

The Oxford English Dictionary, the most comprehensive dictionary of the English language, added "Google" to its 2006 revision. The verb "google" has been used in recent years with the meaning "search (something) on the web", even though there are other search engines besides Google.

Google comes from the word googol, which means ten to the power of 100.

Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google, didn't know the proper spelling of the word so they've used Google to illustrate the huge quantity of information they figure would be available on their system.

But there is more to Google than just searching for “stuff”, even though that’s all the vast number of daily users do (3.5 billion searches per day!)

Go Google and make a few discoveries for yourself.

You will need to enter a search topic first, then hit the enter key or the search tab.  Up will pop the results for your search but also another bar containing other options.

The “Images” tab contains the world’s largest filing cabinet of graphics, photographs and diagrams – it’s my go-to place for when I am wanting pictures to include in articles.

Searching

Search Tools will allow you to refine your search by country, location, time, day month etc. which is really handy to help narrow the search.

Have a play with all the tabs, you will quickly learn the power of Google and how it can be really helpful in finding what YOU really want rather than just an overwhelming list of likely things – as is the case if you just rely on a general search.

The following example shows you what happens when you search for a bus timetable in Wellington.

Alerts

If you want to stay up to date with a topic of interest – or anything really, Google can do that for you with regular alerts just go to www.google.co.nz/alerts.

Choose from the topics provided or create your own specific subject for Google to provide you with up to date information about the subject.

You can choose the regularity of the alerts which will be sent to you by email.

If you have an alert set up with just you name as the subject you can easily keep a track of anything being posted about you on the internet.

Handy for some maybe.

Email accounts

Many people find it handy to have more than one email address, different addresses for different uses.

The web-based email service called Gmail allows you to set up other email accounts.

It works in a similar way to your email address associated with your internet provider and it's free (of course it’s free – everything about Google is free).

To get a Gmail address….. you guessed it simply type gmail in Google, you will be taken to a site, fill in the form and you’re done.

I will be talking more about the ins and outs of emailing in a future article.

Extras

There is a lot to discover about Google, these a just a few of the extra aspects, currently my two most favourite additional things:

• OK Google – sick of typing then just turn on the OK Google feature in the settings of your browser, then when you want to search for something just say “OK Google” you will then be prompted to announce your request, your device will display what you said and search for you.
• Maths calculator - just enter in the figures and let google calculate the answer for you – used with “OK Google” the answer will be spoken back to you along with showing it on screen.

If you want to learn more about technology and become more confident in using technology devices our SeniorNet Learning Centres located throughout the country will welcome you with open arms.

For now at least happy Googling and learn something new every day!