Google does more than 2 million searches per second. Impressive, isn’t it? And Google’s head office do not use regular lawn mowers to keep their lawns neat and tidy. Oh no, they hire goats to do it!  (more interesting Google facts)

The word Google has become synonymous with the idea of internet searches in spite of the fact that Google is merely one of various existing search engines. That it’s by far the largest and possibly the most effective, might be a good enough reason for its preference.

But do you use Google as well and efficient as you could? Research done in 2011 at Wesleyan University in Illinois suggests that less than 25% of students can conduct a thorough search for information. Let’s hope this improved over the past three years.

Dharmesh Shah from HubSpot has a few hints:

1. Quotation marks

Instead of just typing the two words you need information on into the search box, rather put the phrase in quotation marks to narrow down Google’s search.

2. Exclude certain words

If you’re looking for info on marketing, but not on advertisements, use “-” in front of the word you want to exclude. For example “marketing -advertisements”.

3. Searches on a specific website

If you happen to know which website might contain your information, include this in your search. For example “marketing” site:www.bizcommunity.com

4. Similar words and synonyms

When you want to include a specific word in your search, but also words with a similar meaning, put “~” in front of the word.

5. Specific document types

If you already know the document you’re looking for is a pdf, you can use filetype. For example: “marketing” filetype:pdf

6. Use OR

When you carry out a search, Google includes all the words you supply. When you only want one of the two terms, use OR. Just remember to put it in caps. For example: marketing OR advertisements.

8. Phone numbers

You receive a phone call, but you have no idea who it’s from. Use Google’s phone book function. For example:  phonebook: 021-123456

9. Area code

If you have no idea for which area an area code is, add the 3 number code to the search box and you’ll immediately get the answer.

10. Numerical ranges

Do you need results falling in a certain time range? Use “..”. For example president 1940..1950.

10. Stock info 

Just add a valid ticker symbol in the search and Google will supply you with current financials and a stock chart.

11. Calculator

Next time you need to do a complicated calculation, forget about the calculator app on your PC. Just type your sum in Google. For example 48512 * 1.02

12. Word definitions

Do you quickly need a word’s definition? Just type define in front of it in Google. For example:  define:plethora

We hope these few hints help you to get answers even faster, but if you need more assistance, HackCollege compiled this handy infographic. More information can also be found on Google‘s support page.

Infographic via HackCollege

Asymmetric digital subscriber line – bet you didn’t know that’s what ADSL actually stands for, did you? I also bet you don’t know how many available ADSL data options we have available in South Africa and how their pricing compare?

Mygaming recently made a comparison of internet service providers to make the decision more painless for ADSL subscribers. But before you jump in and start shopping, make sure you know the basics.

This is what you’ll need:

1. A Telkom analogue (voice) line at  R157 per month.

2. Telkom ADSL line access. This comes at various speeds, from 2Mbps (R165 per month) to 40 Mbps (R952 per month). (For more detail see the mygaming article.)

3. An ADSL data account from an ISP to access the Internet.  This is the only option you have a wider choice and don’t need Telkom for. (For more detail see the mygaming article.)>

Read mygaming’s comparison here.