|
|
|
And You Thought Google
Was Just a Search
Engine
By Merle Copyright ©
2004
Everyone loves Google for searching online, but did you know they
also offer other tools for your Web based enjoyment? Google's technicians are a
very talented group and they're constantly at work developing new and fun
services. You'll find a complete list at
http://www.Google.com/options/
Let's take a look at the
many faces of Google:
1) Google Free:
http://www.google.com/services/free.html
A free search
engine for your website. Allow visitors to search your site or the Web. If
you select the "safe search" option, adult themed web pages will be excluded from
any Web search results that are shown.
2) Google Groups:
http://groups-beta.google.com/
Allows you to create,
join and even search other mailing lists. Create your own newsletter/ezine
at no charge.
3) Google Answers:
http://answers.google.com/answers/
More than 500
hand-picked researchers willing to answer any question you may have for a fee.
Prices start as low as $2.50 and go up from there. If you're trying to do some
research for a project and are running short on time, this could come in very
handy.
4) Google Catalogs:
http://catalogs.google.com
Search and browse mail-order
catalogs online. Hundreds of catalogs on a variety of topics, from Apparel
to Computers. View full contents of each catalog right online.
5) Froogle:
http://froogle.google.com
A shopping service that makes
it easy to find information about thousands of products for sale on the Net.
Find the best price and the best place to purchase.
6) Google Image
Search:
http://images.google.com
Search over 880 million images.
Search results are displayed as thumbnails. By clicking on them individually
you can view the graphic at full size.
7) Local Search:
http://local.google.com
Maybe you don't want to search
the world; you need to find things in your own backyard. Use local search to
find businesses and services close by.
8) Google News:
http://news.google.com
If
you like your daily dose of World News and the top headlines, you can browse
over 4,500 news sources here. Continually updated.
9) Google
Deskbar/Toolbar:
http://toolbar.google.com
This downloadable toolbar
allows you to conduct searches at Google from any website. Includes a pop up
stopper and the ability to post to your Blogger account (if you have one).
If you prefer to search from your desktop, download their "Deskbar" and
search without even launching your browser. http://toolbar.google.com/deskbar/index.html
10)
University Search:
http://www.google.com/options/universities.html
Looking
for information on a specific school? Google's University Search serves up
admission information, Alumni News and even course schedules.
11) Google
Wireless:
http://www.google.com/options/wireless.html
If you
thought you had to leave Google at home when you're on the move, you can now
conduct searches via your wireless phone. See the site for specific directions
for searching from your device.
12) Language Tools:
http://www.google.com/language_tools
The Internet serves
a global audience and English is not everyone's first language. With Language
Tools, you can translate blocks of text or an entire Web page by typing in
the
URL.
13) Google Web Alerts/News Alerts:
http://google.com/newsalerts
http://google.com/webalerts
Great for monitoring a
certain topic or even your competition. Type in a search word or phrase and
select how often you wish to be notified. You'll receive an email when updated
news on your subject appears online.
14) Blogger:
http://www.Blogger.com
Not
located at Google but owned by them, Blogger is a free service for creating
your own Blogs. Communicate with the world on your own terms. If you use Blogger
and
download Google's Toolbar, you can easily post to your Blog while surfing the
Web. This is a very handy feature. They've also added the ability to add photos
to your Blog and audio messages. Check out http://www.audioblogger.com/
Have you ever heard of "Google Labs"? It's basically a testing playground for the technicians who work
at Google. New ideas for tools are placed there for the public to use and give
feedback on. This area is considered the "experimental phase" and not all demos
are guaranteed to make it out of the lab "alive." It's a very cool place to
experiment with new tools. You'll find it at http://labs.google.com
As you can see, Google is far
more then just a search engine. Their many tools and services can help you
in your Web based travels to be more informed and efficient. Google's runaway
success stems from the fact that they have always listened to and served the
public. You can see this in the creativity they bring to everything they do.
Next time you need to perform a specific task online, remember Google
contains a full array of handy gadgets and they may have just what you're
looking for!
About the Author:
Merle http://www.EzineAdAuction.com "Where some of the BEST Deals
in Ezine Advertising are Made" Buy & Sell Ezine Ads in a live auction
setting! Publishers sell off your excess inventory and Buyers pick up some
Fantastic
bargains. Free E-book on how to write "glowing" ezine ads.....Download now
at http://www.ezineadauction.com/ebooks/greatezineads.pdf
|
|
|
