GeekSugar

Bing and Google to Include Twitter Updates in Search Results

GeekSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:33:02 -0700

Another day, another huge Twitter announcement. And this time, it involves two of the biggest Internet companies around. Both Microsoft and Google announced today that both companies would start including Twitter posts in search results.

The feature is already live on Microsoft's Bing; Twitter posts appear based on key terms and tweets about hot topics. Click the "see more" link and you're redirected to a page containing recent tweets (that refresh automatically!) and a list of top links about the topic currently being shared on Twitter.

I think this news is exciting. While your reactions are split over getting news via Twitter, it's become a prime destination for finding up-to-the-minute content. We'll have to wait and see how Bing and Google plan to fully integrate Twitter feeds into search results pages, but if the past is any indicator, the incorporation of Twitter will be a huge win.

Microsoft to Launch New Search Engine "Bing" on June 3

GeekSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:07:11 -0700

Ready to rev up a new search engine? Microsoft is gearing up to launch its newest search engine effort, the succinctly named (and Web 2.0-ish sounding) Bing, set for June 3, to compete in a market that Google currently rules.

Bing isn't totally new - Microsoft is essentially ditching and updating Live Search to bring you what they're hoping is a better search experience, promising things like "Instant Answers" and offering a simpler but more colorful interface. Hey, it worked for Google.

P.S. This isn't the first time Microsoft has tried something risky to get people to switch to their search; last year they offered to pay you for using their search engine.

In the meantime, you can check out Bing's teaser page and contemplate the question I know is on everyone's mind: what does Chandler think of this?

Source

How to Google Efficiently

GeekSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:02:16 -0700

The May issue of Esquire offers up a snarky boys club guide on how to "google efficiently." Sure, it made me giggle and was intended to entertain, but I can't say I found any of it particularly helpful or informative. Esquire says:

Save time by typing in "gogle.com," instead of "google.com." Google automatically directs you to its site. Those milliseconds add up, people. In the time it takes you to type that extra o, you could already be enjoying a reggae version of Christian Bale's rant.

Go to "Preferences" and change the default display to one hundred results instead of the usual ten. This is a huge time-saver. You don't need to click "Next" - you just scroll down.

Finally, the book search, which I believe is the most underutilized Google feature. Whatever the topic, search the books and you'll find dozens of relevant passages (highlighted in yellow!). If you're writing an email or making a presentation, it makes you seem educated. And as professor Tara Brabazon says in her book The University of Google, education is...well, why don't you just Google it?

To see what I think of this guide, and check out my tips for saving time, read more.

Point one: Most browsers and websites have built in search bars, so you can type your search in directly and don't need to go to Google homepage first. You may save a mili-second not typing in that "o" but it will take Google that long to load the page.
Point two: Do you really need one hundred results for each search? Changing preferences will make your page load time slower. And it's just one click to go on to the next page. It will take two seconds tops.
Point three: Okay, book search is underutilized. I'll agree with that. But using book passages in emails or presentations? That's so Mr. Big in the first Sex and the City movie. And that's so 2008.

If you're looking to save time and google more efficiently, just follow these steps:

Download Google's Tools: Use Google's Quick Search Box for Internet Explorer or Google's toolbar add on for Firefox. Both will minimize search time and allow you easy access to all your Google features.
Search Within a Site from Google: You can Google a site's name and a keyword, and you'll get results from different websites as well. If you Google "geeksugar" plus "clocky" you'll find what geek has said about Clocky. It's not that efficient, because other sites may have mentioned both of those words, and your results can be all over the place. It's also useful if you remember a certain article or story, but don't remember when you read it and can't find it from the site.
Save Typing Time By Keeping Search Simple: Google advises to keep searches simple. Keywords and names will likely get you to your destination. You don't have to get fancy with adjectives.

The 10 Best Online Job Search Sites

GeekSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:00:05 -0700

In this economy, it's pretty likely that some of you are out of a job. But if heading into your cube farm made you cry every morning, and you can't stand the idea of doing it all over again from the bottom up, then take this time off to really find what it is you're looking for in a job. Then get cracking. Thankfully, employers know the power of the Internet, and you no longer have to pound the pavement in your best Jimmy Choos to find a job - you can do it from the comfort of your PJ's and wrapped in the loving arms of your couch. Check out a few (or all) of these job sites to help you on your way to employment bliss.

View Slideshow ›

Website of the Day: Yauba

GeekSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:04:40 -0700

Ever feel like you're being spied on when you use the Internet? You know, kinda like big-brother style? Well we all know search engines like Google and Yahoo track browsing habits for targeted behavioral advertising, but did you know that you can do more than just clear your cookies to escape tracking? Thanks to makeuseof, I just found out there's a site that will allow you to search the Internet anonymously and safely without storing any information about your browsing history (I'm sure Lee Harbert wished he used this site instead of Google).

The site is called Yauba is a far cry from being the Google we've all come to know and love, but it does do the trick if you're worried about privacy.

Found a cool website you want to share? To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "Website of the Day" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I’m done" to submit content.

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Regis Explains What a Search Engine Is

GeekSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:55:35 -0700

I always love watching Live With Regis and Kelly, especially when they have their funny host chats, which usually consist of some form of tech talk. So on yesterday's show, when Kelly quizzed Regis on Yahoo!, I was totally surprised that the self-proclaimed technophobe knew what it was!

Website of the Day: Cuil

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:00:12 -0700

The new search engine Cuil (an old Irish word for knowledge), has been receiving quite the press across the "Internets" today. I didn't know what all the hype was about until I gave it a try. Cuil actually searches more pages on the web than anyone else (over 120 billion) - that's even three times as many as Google and 10 times as many as Microsoft. Rather than deriving search results from those that rank high, Cuil actually finds websites based on topics, content, and relevance by sorting web pages into groups and categories. This new way of searching helps you refine searches and get you to what you're looking for faster. And since it was created by three former senior Google employees, you're guaranteed a search experience that actually works!

To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more.

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and “Regular Post.”
Give your story a “Title.”
Fill in the “Body” with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click “Next."
Choose the audience for your story to “Website of the Day” in the drop-down menu
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to “Technology and Gadgets.”
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click “I’m done” to submit content.

Will You Switch From Google to Microsoft If You're Paid?

GeekSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:00:02 -0700

Microsoft's desperation to compete with Google has resulted in them offering to pay you to use their search engine. For using Microsoft's search to find products to buy, users would be reimbursed 2 to 5 percent, if the store were participating, of course. Online retailers like eBay and Home Depot have already signed up for Live Search cashback, as it's called.

I already use eBates, which does pretty much the same as what Live Search cashback will do, and even if I didn't, I wouldn't stop Googling. Two percent of my online purchases - which don't make up that much of my personal search activity anyway - is just not a replacement for the quality of the search results. But what about you? Would you switch to Microsoft search if you were paid?

Source

Do You Want a Search Engine Based on Your Ethnicity?

GeekSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:00:57 -0700

The New York Times reports that InteractiveCorp is introducing a search engine aimed toward African-American people called Rushmore Drive - saying that they want to help minority groups find specific sites more easily. Search results are based on years of data, and IAC hopes to expand this service to other ethnic groups.

I'm not sure what to think about this. If it doesn't have a community feel then I'm curious about how helpful the search engine can be and what the results are. I also can't imagine that this could be better than modifying Google searches. And I am also definitely feeling that this company is walking on thin, controversial ice. What do you say? Would you use a search engine because it and its results were aimed toward your ethnicity?

Website of the Day: Pinkle

GeekSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:00:25 -0700

It's hard to make a case against the cuteness of pink, but is an all pink search engine too much to handle? When rachelface submitted Pinkle as Website of the Day she noted "I love pink, and I love Google, but is this TOO far?" I couldn't agree more.

The site reminds me of Blackle, another custom Google search that shows results in white text with a black background and claims to save energy simply "because the screen is predominantly black." Pinkle doesn't claim any eco benefits, so I suggest only using it when you really need to feel pretty in pink.

To learn how to post your favorite sites to the Website of the Day group, just read more

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture telling me why you love the website, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all of your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!