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communication:internet:search [2019/10/21 16:52]
frater_secessus [variations in search syntax] |
communication:internet:search [2020/10/11 19:48] (current)
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| ====== Google-fu: getting better at searching ====== | ====== Google-fu: getting better at searching ====== |
| Effective searching is an essential skill in a internet-centric world. Doing it well((having "good google-fu", as in kung fu)) isn't magic or impossible to learn but it might seem that way. How did //that// person [[https://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=33330&pid=411140#pid411140|find it easily]] when you've been searching your brains out? | Effective searching is an essential skill in a internet-centric world. Doing it well((having "good google-fu", as in kung fu)) isn't magic or impossible to learn but it might seem that way. How did //that// person [[https://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=33330&pid=411140#pid411140|find it easily]] when you've been searching your brains out? |
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| Learning a couple of easy skills will greatly increase search accuracy and decrease time spent searching. That means you get better info faster and have more time do other things. | Learning a couple of easy skills will greatly increase search accuracy and decrease time spent searching. That means you get better info faster and have more time do other things. |
| ===== exact phrases ===== | ===== exact phrases ===== |
| When you type in ''free camping in Wyoming'' the search engine really doesn't know what you are thinking.((AI will make them able to guess more accurately in the future)) It might look for pages with all those words, pages with those words near each other, pages that have certain phrases in them like ''in Wyoming''. It might find a page about a guy who was set free after being arrested for camping somewhere illegal in Wyoming. Wrong kind of //free//! | When you type in ''free camping in Wyoming'' the search engine really doesn't know what you are thinking.((AI will make them able to guess more accurately in the future)) It might look for pages with all those words, pages with those words near each other, pages that have certain phrases in them like ''in Wyoming''. It might find a page about a guy who was set free after being arrested for camping somewhere illegal in Wyoming. Wrong kind of //free//! |
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| You can help the search engine understand that //free camping// means something more than the two separate words: **it means something special in that particular order**. | You can help the search engine understand that //free camping// means something more than the two separate words: **it means something special in that particular order**. |
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| The way we tell a search engine to search for an exact phrase is by quoting the phrase. For example, we might say \\ ''"free camping" in Wyoming'' \\ Why not quote the whole thing? Because that says that you want //the entire phrase exactly//, which will dramatically reduce returns. You'd miss pages where people say they are in Wyoming and and are free camping, etc. | The way we tell a search engine to search for an exact phrase is by quoting the phrase. For example, we might say \\ ''"free camping" in Wyoming'' \\ Why not quote the whole thing? Because that says that you want //the entire phrase exactly//, which will dramatically reduce returns. You'd miss pages where people say they are in Wyoming and and are free camping, etc. |
| ===== ruling out unwanted words ===== | ===== ruling out unwanted words ===== |
| Sometimes you are searching and totally unrelated topics keep popping up. For example, you may be searching for camping but you keep getting results about xbox games.(("camping" in online games means to stay in one spot and attack other players who arrive.)) | Sometimes you are searching and totally unrelated topics keep popping up. For example, you may be searching for camping but you keep getting results about xbox games.(("camping" in online games means to stay in one spot and attack other players who arrive.)) |
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| The way you rule out those xbox conversations is with a minus (-). So you could search for \\ ''camping -xbox'' | The way you rule out those xbox conversations is with a minus (-). So you could search for \\ ''camping -xbox'' |
| \\ This would remove any results that mentioned that off-topic term. | \\ This would remove any results that mentioned that off-topic term. |
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| Extra credit: some search engines will let you do more complex things like rule out phrases instead of just words : \\ ''camping -"paid campsites"''. \\ This is a hint that different kinds of restraints can be combined. | Extra credit: some search engines will let you do more complex things like rule out phrases instead of just words : \\ ''camping -"paid campsites"''. \\ This is a hint that different kinds of restraints can be combined. |
| ===== alternatives ===== | ===== alternatives ===== |
| With those technical skills in your toolbox, you are ready for the next step: guessing/predicting search results. This is a tougher skill because it requires changing the way we think about search. | With those technical skills in your toolbox, you are ready for the next step: guessing/predicting search results. This is a tougher skill because it requires changing the way we think about search. |
| This sounds a bit [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_Report_(film)|pre-cog]], but the trick here is guessing what the results will look like when you do find them. We can break this down into two skills based on whether or not you have ever seen the result before. | This sounds a bit [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minority_Report_(film)|pre-cog]], but the trick here is guessing what the results will look like when you do find them. We can break this down into two skills based on whether or not you have ever seen the result before. |
| Let's say you are trying to relocate a post you read one time. For example, something sternwake once said about AGM batteries. A search for \\ ''sternwake agm'' | Let's say you are trying to relocate a post you read one time. For example, something sternwake once said about AGM batteries. A search for ''sternwake agm'' will be too broad, as he discusses batteries and charging often. |
| \\ will be too broad, as he discusses batteries and charging often. | |
| If you can remember //anything// related to that post it will help zero in on the post you seek: | If you can remember //anything// related to that post it will help zero in on the post you seek: |
| * any other user that posted in that thread | * any other user that posted in that thread |
| * any memorable word or phrase used in the post | * any memorable word or phrase used in the post |
| * etc | * etc |
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| In this case, you remember sternwake said something about "princess" in that quote. Here is the targeted search: ''sternwake agm princess''. | In this case, you remember sternwake said something about "princess" in that quote. Here is the targeted search: ''sternwake agm princess''. |
| \\ BOOM, [[https://www.google.com/search?q=sternwake+agm+princess|it popped up in the top results]]. | \\ BOOM, [[https://www.google.com/search?q=sternwake+agm+princess|it popped up in the top results]]. |
