The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 102, No. 6, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Page: 4 of 6
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4 The Rambler
College Life
February 25, 2009
More than a search engine
Seth Nelson
STAFF WRITER
Did you think all you could get out of Google is a search
engine? Though the word has become a verb as well as a
noun, "Google" is so much more.
With Google, you can have an entire world of resources
right at your fingertips. Whether on your computer or on
your cell phone, Google has an app waiting. It's an image
finder, a world map, a phonebook, a video player and on and
on.
Here's a look at some of the lesser-known Google
features, as well as some of the favorites.
Google and more Google
Google: If you prefer to have the main Google page -
much like Yahoo's (with the news stories and such) - you
can get this alternate main page instead. The
default version can be used with or without
an account. However, signing up for a free
Google account will allow you to add
more free extras and even change the
background to any pre-loaded design you
want (ala My space)!
Scholar: Similar in nature to the
library's search engine, Google Scholar
lets you input a topic of interest (say, for
a term paper), and Google will give you
the results such as book excerpts and PDF
files instantly. This service has it's drawbacks
however, because some Web sites make
you sign up with them for the full version ... or Google
Books does not give you the entire publication, speaking of
which...
Books: Forget Amazon.com for book browsing.
GoogleBooks allows you to insert a title, author or subject
of interest into the search box or click on some featured
titles. Read reviews, peek into pages, find nearby locations,
even search for it at your local library. You can even read
old magazines. It doesn't exactly replace the library or the
bookstore because many books (except for some public
domain titles) are just previews of what to expect when you
read the "paper and glue" version. This curse can be seen as
a blessing, however, because on the right column, the site
shows a price comparison for online ordering (e.g. Thomas
Sowell's Basic Economics is $31.96 at Barnes and Noble vs.
$39.95 at Borders).
Google Talk: Similar to the instant messaging services
through AOL, Yahoo and MSN, Google Talk is a free IM
service that works with a simple download to your computer
or by logging on at www.google.com/talk. This service is
also integrated into the Gmail system (see below).
Translate: You can translate text and even Web pages
from one language to another using Google Translate. More
than 40 languages are available.
GOOG-411: Search for listings without ever logging
on. Dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) from any
phone (cell, pay or landline), then tell the computer the city,
state and location! Choose your desired listing, and GOOG-
411 automatically connects you to the business. A free 411,
indeed.
Blogger: Yes, Google owns Blogger, the Web site for
creating blogs. There are several topics available, so search
this site, or use your Google account (once again, free) to
start your own blog.
Documents: Did you know you could store all your
files online? By providing online file storage, Google Docs
could replace your flash drive (you know, that little thing
that is so easy to lose?). Also, this app enables you to create
documents, spreadsheets or presentations from scratch or
from templates. Perhaps the best feature Google Docs boasts
is to share and collaborate on documents in real time. Got a
group project that needs revision due in the morning? No
problem. Each group member can log on, view and edit
the document simultaneously. The
chat feature will keep you in good
communication during the process.
Finance: This Google app
offers a broad range of up-to-date
information about stocks, mutual
funds, public and private companies.
Additionally, the organized
homepage design lets users see
currency information, sector
performance for the U.S. market and
a listing of top market movers along
with the relevant and important news
of the day.
Downloadable fun
Toolbar/Deskbar/Desktop:
All free. For the toolbar, you can
download it to your computer and,
in seconds, you can begin Googling
topics of interests without ever
typing in www.google.com every
time. Options allow you to block
pop-up ads and instantly fill out
online forms with just one click. The
deskbar lets you search without your
browser open, almost like searching
for a file on your hard drive. The
desktop works not only on Windows
Vista but also on Windows XP.
Users can have Google search, news,
weather and time all on your desktop.
This is similar to the dashboard
functions on Windows Vista and
Max OS X (latest versions).
Geecj e o ers bounti ill
supply o free resources
Earth: Use Google Maps without using a browser by
downloading Google Earth free from the Google Web site
Explore mountain terrain, dive into the world's oceans,
even pinpoint and chat with other Google users on world
landmarks and more. Also, look for directions and listings
like on the Google Maps site (see below).
Picasa: A free photo program. You can edit your photos,
create slideshows, even upload them online for everybody
to see.
Pack: An automatic download manager that integrates
all the free, full applications from both Google (such as
Earth) and other companies (such as Real and Adobe).
Tried and true
Image search: Search for a particular photo or graphic
of your interest. Need a picture of the U.S. flag in a split
second? Just visit images.google.com (or click at the top of
IM
the main page) and do a search for "American flag." You can
change sizes, select file type, even see a blown-up version in
a page separate from the searched Web site, ready to save.
Maps: Who needs a globe or an outdated road atlas
anymore? Google can take care of the geographic goodness
for you. This is effective whether you are planning a road
trip in printable form, wanting to see what your destination
will look like (using Street View) or using your phone to
find the nearest restaurant.
News: Search any topic, whether it's a general term
(such as "computers") or a famous name (such as Barack
Obama), and Google will search everything from credible,
reliable sources (such as BBC News) to obscure, small-town
newspapers. You can also purchase historic archives from
famous newspapers through this service.
Shopping: Formerly known as "Froogle" (Frugal), this
search lets you choose from a list of recent searches, or you
can insert your desired product into the box. From there
you can compare prices from several online retailers. For
example, typing in "Blu-ray Disc Player" and searching for
the lowest price on a new, unopened product from a brand-
name retailer, I found one for $179.99 at Office Depot.
Gmail: Google's approach to el cheapo e-mail. With
seven gigabytes of storage (and growing), a reliable,
accurate spam blocker and access on both a computer and
your cell phone, Gmail is the one e-mail service you need to
get! There are always new and innovative features coming
out, so sign up and stay tuned.
YouTube: THE ultimate Web site for video sharing and
viewing. Upload, view and comment on favorite videos.
There are videos from individual users to news stories and
clips from TV networks, videos from record labels, news
and events from well-known institutions and endless other
options. You can find YouTube on your computer, or you
can download the widget on your cell phone (such as the
iPhone). (There is also Google Video, which was released
prior to Google's acquisition of YouTube; both Google-
hosted and You Tube-hosted videos can be found through
this service).
There are other programs and helpful features available.
Log on to www.google.com and see for yourself. The
features are constantly updated. Try the Google Labs or
AdSense pages. It's a world gone google.
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Nugent, Tiara. The Rambler (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 102, No. 6, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 25, 2009, newspaper, February 25, 2009; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth201275/m1/4/: accessed March 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Wesleyan University.