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Google can be used in a number of ways, more than just typing in a keyword. By using a few of Google's operators, you can utilise it's wider spectrum.

Here are few of Google's little tricks:

• Use Google as a spelling aid -; entering a word into Google is a quick way to see if you have the right spelling. If it is incorrect Google will suggest the correct spelling instead. You can also use it to get the definition of a word by using the 'define' operator (e.g. define: synthetic).
• Use Google as a calculator -; try entering a calculation like 85 * (86/8 + 6). Your computer also has a calculator, but if you spend most of your day inside a browser, typing your calculation into the browser';s search box is quicker than starting up your calculator application.
• Find out what time it is anywhere in the world. This one';s really handy if you want to make sure that you';re not phoning someone in the middle of the night. Just type 'time' and then the name of the city. (e.g. time Sydney).
• Search for specific document types. Google can search the web for specific types of files using the 'filetype:' operator. (e.g. if you';re looking for PowerPoint files about SEO, you could try SEO filetype:ppt).
• Search within numerical ranges using the .. operator. Say, for example, you want to look for information about Olympic events that took place in the 1950';s, you could use the search, Olympics 1950..1960
• Use the 'site:' operator to limit searches to a particular site. I use this one all the time, and it';s particularly handy because many site';s built-in search tools don';t return the results you';re looking for, and some sites don';t even have a search feature. If I';m looking for Bandwidth Bar posts about routers, for example, I could try the search, routers site: www.bandwidthbar.co.za .
• Use the 'OR' operator. This can be useful if you';re looking at researching a topic but you';re not sure which keywords will return the information you need. For example, you could try this search: SEO OR "search engine optimization".
• Exclude specific terms with the -; operator. You can narrow your searches using this operator. For example, if you';re looking for information about American Idol but don';t want anything about Simon Cowell, you could try: "american idol" -cowell

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