Google search tips

Below are some basic tips as well as some secrets that can be used on Google to help improve your search results and find things you may have never thought of.

1. Group your search query to find better results. For example, if you're searching for computer help, you'll find better results if you search for an exact phrase by surrounding it in quotes: "computer help".
2. If a lot of your results have keywords you're not search for use a minus sign. For example, if you're looking for computer help but don't want pages containing Windows type: "computer help" -windows
3. Google supports number ranges, for example, if you're searching for computer help between the year 2000 to 2005 you can type: "Computer help" 2000..2005
4. See the Google operators page, which lists dozens of the available operators Google allows. For example, the below search would search for URL that contains the word computer: allinurl: computer
5. Visit the Google Features page, which lists hundreds of different examples of the type of things you can find through Google and how to find them.
6. See our Google dictionary definition for a listing of dozens of other Google services.

Below are some more advance searches people are commonly looking for and what they do.

intitle:index.of + mp3 -asp -html -htm -php -pls -txt

In the above example, when entered into Google this search result looks for any index of MP3 files that does not contain the standard web pages like HTML, PHP, etc. or any other non-related pages. In the above example you can replace mp3 with avi or other file extension to search for these types of files.

intitle:index.of + mp3 "" -asp -html -htm -php -pls -txt

In the above example you could replace "" with the artists name, track, group, or name of the MP3 you're looking for. Keep in mind when downloading MP3 that you should own the track or song you're downloading otherwise it's considered illegal. 

inurl:"ViewerFrame?Mode="

In the above simple example, Google will return results of insecure live web cams and with some of the services even allow you to control the cameras over the Internet.

The above three examples are just a few more advanced searches used to help illustrate how many different things can be found through Google.

Top 10 unknown Google tricks

Below is a list of our top ten Google tricks many users don't know about.

1. Definitions - Pull up the definition of the word by typing define followed by the word you want the definition for. For example, typing: define bravura would display the definition of that word.

2. Local search - Visit Google Local enter the area you want to search and the keyword of the place you want to find. For example, typing: restaurant at the above link would display local restaurants.

3. Phone number lookup - Enter a full phone number with area code to display the name and address associated with that phone number.

4. Find weather - Type weather followed by a zip code or city and state to display current weather conditions and forecasts for upcoming days.

5. Track airline flight - Enter the airline and flight number to display the status of an airline flight and it's arrival time. For example, type: delta 123 to display this flight information if available.

6. Track packages - Enter a UPS, FedEx or USPS tracking number to get a direct link to track your packages.

7. Pages linked to you - See what other web pages are linking to your website or blog by typing link: followed by your URL. For example, typing link:http://www.computerhope.com displays all pages linking to Computer Hope.

8. Find PDF results only - Add filetype: to your search to display results that only match a certain file type. For example, if you wanted to display PDF results only type: "dell xps" filetype:pdf -- this is a great way to find online manuals.

9. Calculator - Use the Google Search engine as a calculator by typing a math problem in the search. For example, typing: 100 + 200 would display results as 300.

10. Stocks - Quickly get to a stock quote price, chart, and related links by typing the stock symbol in Google. For example, typing: msft will display the stock information for Microsoft.

Tips To Keep Your PC Healthy

Keeping your Windows PC secure can be a mammoth task with millions of viruses, trojans, spyware, adware etc floating around. Also there are various other factors that affect the performance of your PC. Lets get down to securing your PC and keeping it healthy.

Tip 1 : Install an antivirus

Antivirus is the first and foremost step to securing your PC from millions of viruses lurking around the Internet. But the big question arises, which one to opt for? If you are willing to spend money, then your choices are many. We would recommend you get Kaspersky Internet Suite for its high reliability and low costs, but research around net for the best antivirus software as they keep on changing with new versions.

For those looking for free alternatives, AVG is the favorite among masses. There are other alternatives also and make sure you do enough research before zeroing down on one.

It is very important to update your antivirus definitions frequently to be safe from new viruses that are created everyday.

Tip 2 : Install Firewall

Firewall is an important component to block intrusions from entering your PC. Windows Firewall is good enough for most of us and you should have it enabled at all times. For those looking for advanced protection, Zone Alarm has a very good firewall.

Tip 3 : Spyware, Trojans, Adware protection

Spyware, Trojans and Adware not only affect speed of your PC but also compromise your privacy by sending out personal information which might include your Credit Card details too. There are many free and paid software to protect your PC from these malicious programs. Nowadays, antivirus come with spyware protection too, so if you are investing in an antivirus solution, consider looking for one with inbuilt spyware protection.

Tip 4 : Use CCleaner

PC maintenance is incomplete without the mention of CCleaner. CCleaner is an excellent software which does not cost a penny. It optimizes your system for maximum performance and also cleans it up efficiently. Check out the CCleaner review

Tip 5 : Clean up your PC

Cleaning up your PC from dust is important in the long run. Dust accumulates inside the cabinet of your desktop and slows down your PC. Use a paint brush to brush off the dust settled on various components especially the motherboard and RAM.

Tip 6 : Defragment your hard drive

The files on your hard disk fragment over time and need to be defragmented. Learn on how to defragment your Hard Drive.

Tip 7 : Apply thermal compound

Keeping your processor cool enhances its life and improves performance. It is recommended that you change the thermal compound of your processor, once in every six months. Artic Silver is a great thermal compound which is relatively inexpensive.

Tip 8 : Keep your PC cool

Your PC should not overheat as it reduces life of components while affecting performance too.  Make sure you have enough fans in your cabinet. Air flow should be in the right direction to dispel heat generated effectively. Keep a tab on temperatures to find out how efficient your PC cooling is.

Tip 9  : Clear browser cache, recycle bin

Browser cache can grow enormously large over time especially if you have set its space on the higher side. Clean it up regularly to improve your browsing experience. Empty your recycle bin too frequently so as not to accumulate too many files in it.

Tip 10 : Update your PC

Make sure you update your PC with the frequently released Windows Updates and updates for other programs installed on your PC. Updates fix bugs and improve performance of the software.