Google Extravaganza 3 – Workshop Notes

[harveyhhi1]

Extravaganza 3 – Workshop Notes June 20, 2008

1. Google Search - Google.com (Or the Google Toolbar or your iGoogle personal home page)
   
   • Enter keywords to find information. Right side of results pages, and sometimes
     highlighted top, are “Sponsored Links” …paid ads.
   • Refine searches that don’t produce the results you want by using quotes marks (e.g.
     “First Name Last Name” ). Only web pages with exact sequence or words appear.
   • Further refine searches by using plus + or minus – signs. The + sign will produce web
     sites that contain the keyword on the page and the – sign will exclude them. You may
     combine in any search multiple + or – signs by keywords and also use quote marks.
   • Google a person by using “First Name Last Name” in quotes and add plus or minus
     signs to narrow search for common names e.g. “Wes Taylor” +hhicc.
   • Reverse lookup of telephone numbers- Use quotes “843 842 4475” Generally only
     numbers found are in telephone directories. Cell numbers may appear if on web pages.
   • Get stock or mutual fund information by entering symbol only e.g. GE or JAOFX.
   • For map information or directions click on Maps link or enter url maps.google.com.
     Enter street address and town, state or just zip code.
   • Get directions using Google Maps. Send directions to friends by clicking Send link or
     Print to save map and directions.
   • Shop for best prices by entering brand name and model number into search box
     e.g. enter Canon SD870 then browse results for lowest prices, including shipping and tax.
   • Get images of about anything. Click Images link or go to images.google.com.
     e.g. F15 gets great photos of jet
2. Google Personal Home or iGoogle. (This is feature can be fun and highly useful)
   
   • You’ll need a Google account (free). Only email address and password is required. Doesn’t
     have to be a Gmail email address.
   • Go to Google.com and click the iGoogle link on the upper right, then sign-in and start making
     your custom page. Make it your home page. For Internet Explorer users just click the little
     home symbol, then downward pointing arrow, then select Use this webpage as your only home
     page. As shown below:
     
   • To build your personal home page click the Add Stuff link on the upper right and then locate
     the “gadgets” you want. There are thousands including news sources, entertainment related,
     financial, language tools etc, etc. Have FUN.
3. Google Calendar - Go to calendar.google.com - Get email and/or cell phone text reminders
   for all calendar events. Calendars are printable.
   
   • You’ll need to be signed on to your Google account to prepare your own. The same account
     works for all Google features so you won’t need more than one.
   • Get started by selecting the display format by clicking a link on the upper right. I prefer Monthly
     display.
   • Go to Settings (link on upper right) to personalize calendar format and to verify cell phone if
     you want text reminders.
   • Click the Help link to learn more about all the features.
   • You can create calendar events in several ways. One way is to just click on the date and enter
     information as below for June 20th. To add details and reminders click the edit event details
     link. Enter your calendar event information hen click Create Event. Tip: put time first if not an
     all day event.
   
4. Google Alerts – Get there by going to google.com/alerts
   
   • Keep track of Google results for persons, news, teams, organizations etc. Alerts are sent
     to you via email.
   • Click the FAQ link on the start page to learn more
   • A Google account is needed, but alerts can be sent to any email address.
   • You can have many alerts as you wish and they can be customized to frequency and scope
5. Google Scholar - Get there by going to google.com/scholar
   
   • Locate information about virtually any medical or scientific subject in professional journals.
   • Click the Help link to learn more.
   • Many scientific links provide abstracts only and full article may require payment or
     subscription.
   • If you or a loved one have an illness this source may be enormously useful.
6. Google Earth- Get there by going to google.com/earth - “Where do you want to go today?”
   
   • This Google application is amazing and can be lots of fun.
   • Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, street names, terrain,
     3D buildings and even explore galaxies in the Sky. You can explore rich geographical content,
     save your toured places and share with others.
   • Google Earth must be downloaded and installed on your computer. Google Earth has evolved
     from a rather simple satellite photo application to a highly featured and useful product.
   • Google Earth is not simple to use and requires some study of the help section and tutorial for
     best results. However, it is worth the effort.