Google is a great source for finding information, they are currently the number 1 search engine in the world.  “Google it” has even become a common slang in terms of searching for something online – from directions, to search-engine searches.  Google is popular for one good reason: they obtain content FAST.  Many of my articles here, on FunkyTower, wind up in Google’s database in less than 24 hours!  In fact, the majority of my website’s visitors are directed here by Google.  So, Google is definately a great source for finding information.

So, here are the tips:

1. When you search help or information online, be brief.  Don’t type something like “My iPhone froze and I can’t get it to work, so how do I get it working again so I can download apps and get updates?”  That is way too long.  Instead, type something short, between 3-7 words maximum, like “iPhone froze help.”
2. If you are looking for something specific – don’t be afraid to use quotes, but only use them on necessary words and phrases.  For example, if you can’t find the name or artist of that one song, type in quotes a lyric from the song, and then type lyrics after the quotes.  Try typing this in the Google search box: “break the spell of the typical” lyrics.  You will definately find results leading to lyrics to a song called Typical by MuteMath.  We’ve successfully found answers to our question without going outside of Google!

   If you’re looking for answers on problems with a specific item, put the specific item in quotes.  For example, say you’re having trouble with Dreamweaver MX and Windows Vista.  Put “Dreamweaver MX” in quotes so that all results will have Dreamweaver MX in them, not Dreamweaver CS2 or CS3.  OR, type “Windows Vista” in quotes; this way, all results will be in regaurds to Windows Vista – not Windows XP or Windows ME, etc.

3. Use proper spelling and grammar:  This is important – though Google has a “Did you mean: this” feature that let’s you know that you may have mispelled a word – many times this feature doesn’t react to slang.  Don’t type phrases like “Winxp dont werk fo nuthin.”  Honestly, no one types this way, so why would you find good results by searching this way?
4. If you are looking for results from a specific website, use the “site:” feature.  This will find results from specific websites.  For example:  “site:funkytower.com web design”   This will cause google to look for results from ONLY “funkytower.com” relating to “web design.”
5. Use common phrases, words, and statements.  This relates to tip #3.  Google picks up alot of content from alot of websites made by alot of people.  If you use unique phrases, statements, or words that most people do not use, you probably won’t find results.  When trying to find help on the internet through Google, use phrases that most people would use.  For example, if you want software like photoshop, type “Photoshop Alternatives” or “Software similar to photoshop” - DON’T type “Things that are like photoshop that I don’t have to pay for.”  Again – this not only is way too long, but no one is going to post a phrase like THAT on their website.

There we have it, five simple steps that will have you finding information on Google in no time!

What Do You Think?
What do you think?  What do you do to get the right results using Google?  Do you still have trouble getting results using Google while using these tips?  If so, let me know, I’d be glad to help you out with your problem.  And if you do have more tips on getting the right results out of Google, I want to know and share it with the world!  Send your thoughts to david@funkytower.com!

Google Calendar is amazing. I’ve always seen it and have heard about it, but I never took the time to try it out. When I tried it out, I was really surprised to see what all it had to offer.

You have to have an account with Google to use it, but don’t worry, it’s easy to set up and it’s free as well.

Once you set up your account and logon to the Google Calendar page, it has a calendar waiting for you to use.  You can set up multiple calendars for multiple uses, like a private calendar and a public calendar, or a calendar for each member of the family.

You can set it up to receive notifications by e-mail, or text/SMS on your cell phone, when an event is added to the calendar, when changes/cancellations/responses to invitations are made, and daily notifications to update you on your schedule.  You can also get reminders by text/SMS or e-mail a certain ammount of time before the event is supposed to happen.  This is great, not only can you have your whole schedule on your cell phone, but you can be notified event by event right on your cell!

If you have GoogleDesktop with the Google Sidebar, you can add the Calendar Gadget that will retrieve information from your calendar straight to your desktop.  I tried this out, and the only downside to it is, in expanded view, the calendar is still too small to see all days of the week.  Every time you use the calendar you have to manually expand it to show all the dates.  To avoid this hassle however, you can make it show a list of the events/appointments you have scheduled on your calendar – rather than the actual calendar itself.

Another cool feature is the embed option.  You can embed your calendar into your own website or blog easily.  You can adjust the size, features, some colors, etc., and it will automatically generate a code that you can copy and paste into your web page/blog.

There are other ways to share your calendar if you choose to make it public, like RSS, iCAL, and a public accessable HTML code so people can embed YOUR calendar into THEIR webpage/blog.

There are more features to this neat calendar.  So if you want a calendar that notifies you by text/SMS and/or e-mail of your upcoming events, that you can embed into your web page/blog, that does so many things I can’t even list it, then you should head on over to the Google Calendar webpage and create your calendar.

What Do You Think?
Do you like Google Calendar?  Do you know of any cool, free calendar apps, or just cool, free apps in general?  Got a question on how to use the Google Calendar?  Let me know!!!  Send your thoughts to david@funkytower.com

Take it easy,
David Crandall