GeekSugar

Kim Kardashian Most Searched Celebrity on Bing

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:45:00 PST

Celebrity searches may bring up dangerous results, but that won't stop curious fans from hunting down stories and pics of their favorites online. Bing recently released its list of the top search trends of 2010, and taking the crown for most searches is one hot cell phone hacker: Kim Kardashian.

Although there were some major searchable milestones this year, like Antennagate, the World Cup, and the release of Sex and the City 2, just to name a few, it seems that a bikini-clad Kardashian can take them all down with just a few Twitpics. Want to see who and what else topped Bing's search topics in 2010? Check out the list after the break.

Website of the Day: The Bus Ride

GeekSugar — Tue, 11 May 2010 09:30:14 PDT

When I'm searching for general information on a topic, I start one of two places: Google, or Wikipedia. However, a newly discovered way to search for general information on a topic could end up being a bit of a time waster! The Bus Ride is a search engine of sorts that takes you on a guided path of varied sites related to your search query. For example, a search on "San Francisco" started with a stop at the YouTube page for Scott McKenzie's hit song of the same name, next, a travel guide for the city, then a news story, and so on.

But that's not all, of course - find out what else you can do on your Bus Ride after the break.

Google App vs. Google Search in Safari: Which Do You Prefer?

GeekSugar — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:47:43 PDT

I have the Google app on my iPhone, but it's rarely used - I prefer to use the Google search bar that's built into Safari. The results pages are virtually indistinguishable, though the app has the clear advantage with its included voice searching, search field auto-fill, and easily accessible search history, along with quick access to Gchat, Google Buzz, and Google Reader. I'm not sure exactly when I stopped using the Google App, but when I suggested to a friend that he use the Safari search field instead of the app, he looked at me like I was nuts. Do you have a preference when it comes to how you search on the go?

The Two Most Dangerous Words on the Internet

GeekSugar — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:00:17 PDT

Although searching a certain celebrity may infect your computer with spyware, did you know that by searching the words "Bearshare" and "screensaver," it's pretty darn likely you'll click on a link that will infect your computer with harmful viruses?

According to a new McAfee study, 46 percent of search links for the word Bearshare (a video and audio file sharing website) will lead you to malicious sites that are just waiting for you to click so they can attack your computer with malware and dirty viruses. And, if you ever go looking for a cool screensaver (why would you when you have this one right here), beware - 43 percent of those search results are dangerous links.

Good News! Google Won't Make Us Stupid

GeekSugar — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:15:02 PST

This isn't something I think about often, but makes sense: some people worry that Google and other immediate, accessible, Internet-based research tools will eventually make us lazy and, well, stupid. Think about it: if you have a question, can't quite remember something, or just need to find more information, whatever you need is only a few clicks away.

According to a study from Pew Internet Research, Google will not make us stupid. The study polled 895 technology stakeholders and critics on a variety of topics, including whether or not we're too dependent on the search engine. Most experts polled agreed that Google not only doesn't hurt us, it makes us more creative and deepens connections with other people.

Another interesting fact from the article: opinions were split over whether anonymity on the Internet would be possible in ten years. Slightly more than half of those polled believed it would be possible, while 41 percent thought it would be "sharply curtailed."

Daily Tech: Your Choice of Search Engine Says a Lot

GeekSugar — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:15:07 PST

Your choice of search engine says a lot about you - Switched
Was Apple considering a 3D virtual Apple Store? - Gizmodo
Aperture 3 released with some iPhoto integration - Dvice
Check out this totally cute TicToc mini MP3 player - Oh Gizmo!
Tuesday DIY: swap a two-prong for a three-prong outlet - Unplggd

Bing and Google to Include Twitter Updates in Search Results

GeekSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:33:02 PDT

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 PDT

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 PDT

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 PDT

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.