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You Are Here: Home > General articles > Technology related
Last update : January 2010
How to Get More Efficient on your Computer

Start asking Google detailed questions

If you already find the internet useful and want an easy way to extend its capabilities, then start asking Google direct questions because this is why most people go online - to get answers.

As the internet is about connecting people and information there's a good chance that if you have a question about something, many other people do as well. For example -

  • If you spill red wine on a blue carpet don't just type in 'remove red wine stain'
  • Instead, be as detailed as possible - 'how to remove a red wine stain from a blue carpet'

You might get the same answer as if you typed in the simple 4 word query, but then again there might be a special trick to use specifically for a stain on a blue carpet and you'd have missed this by not being specific enough.

Asking as detailed questions as possible is the key to getting better search results and one I think a fair few people miss. It doesn't always work but when it does Google is so good it will normally point straight at the perfect answer.

For technical information and research use WolframAlpha
There is no denying that Google is the top search engine but it's aimed at the average internet user. However, Wolframalpha Alpha is a new search engine which is designed for more detailed research and it's extremely powerful.

For example -

  • If you want to find the ratio of GDP between Spain and Italy Google's answer is a joke
  • But type the phrase into Wolfram A. and you not only get the correct answer but more information to refine the search or research capability
  • See here for the result

Wolfram is almost untouchable for stock research

If you're interested in fundamental stock research then Wolfram Alpha is far superior to Google and any of the other search engines. Click on the following links to see what I mean and the sort of data that's served up '

  • For an analysis of BT and Vodafone against each other -type 'BT/Vodafone'
  • Or to just analyse Vodafone - type 'Vodafone'

More information

Software Tip for Computer Power Users
I'm loving the free software LiveEdge and if you're a power computer user and working your machine hard everyday then it can save a lot of time.

The software can set up 8 different zones around your screen in which keyboard short cuts can be programmed. I use it specifically for copy/pasting. So if I wanted to copy/paste some text I'd do the following -

  • Highlight text
  • Move mouse cursor to the top right corner of my monitor (that copies it)
  • Place my cursor where I want the text to go and move my cursor to the top right of the monitor (that pastes it)

That might not seem like such a great deal but I reckon it speeds up the process by about 300%. Of course this is just one example and as the software is (easily) programmable it's fast turning into one of my top 5 utilities, if not top 3.

Again, it's for power users only.

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