Web Search Garage

Best-selling author and research expert Tara Calishain offers her insider tips and tricks for web searching in this title from Prentice Hall PTR's Garage Series. The book begins with an in-depth look at search engines and other online tools such as browsers. It describes several principles of web searching to help you leverage the scope of the Internet to discover information. The book also covers specific topic areas of Internet searching, both domestically and internationally. Finally, Web Search Garage includes a special technical support section to teach you how to find the support solutions you need on the Internet.

Specific topics covered include

• Search engines
• Browsers
• The principles of web searching
• Searching for news, jobs, and local information
• Finding images and audio on the web
• Searching for people
• Genealogy research
• Consumer help
• Drugs and medical information
• Kid-safe searching

Whether you're a newbie or an Internet search guru, Web Search Garage is a valuable resource for using the Internet wisely to find the information you're looking for. Calishain's thorough explanations and examples, combined with her entertaining wit will help you fine-tune your skills and search the Internet to find convenient solutions.

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Author's Site

Visit the Author's Web Site related to this title, named Bonzer Site of the Week in Randy Cassingham's "This is True" e-mail newsletter.

Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful More about searching the web from a good author, November 25, 2004 By  A Williams "honestpuck" (Neutral Bay, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews       This review is from: Web Search Garage (Paperback) As someone who lives on the wrong side of the world from the best sources of information and shopping I seem to spend a large amount of time online, and a large part of that in a search engine. Web Search Garage promises to let me `Find it faster with less junk, less hassle.' For experienced net researchers and the search-engine savvy among us, the book may well not live up to the promise, though for a large number of `net users out there it may be just the thing. Where Calishain's previous book, Google Hacks, covered one search engine in great depth in a fairly technical way, this book covers the entire topic of web research in a more friendly manner and language, leaving out the more technical topics of APIs and programming interfaces to spend more time covering advanced search syntaxes and off-the-beaten path search engines and directories. Calishain has for quite a while written well-researched, informative articles on search engines and research for her... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment 15 of 16 people found the following review helpful Take your search knowledge to another level, September 15, 2004 By  Meryl K. Evans "Content Maven behind meryl.net" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews    This review is from: Web Search Garage (Paperback) Anyone who uses the Internet to do searching and research will find this book valuable. I've been using operators and special syntaxes in searching for a long time, yet I've learned a few new tricks from the book such as more syntaxes and ways to improve searching that I hadn't considered. I've had to learn most of the tips in the book on my own over several years. If I had this book sooner, it would've saved me time and have shortened some of my searches. Calishain shares principles for conducting various types of searches as one search method doesn't fit all. Though a Google fan, I don't use it every time simply because some other search engines better meet the needs of a search. You learn about the big picture of using search tools rather than focusing on one. This book stands out because it describes the process of doing it. It "shows" you. She uses an example and tweaks the search syntax while letting you in on her thought process. Once you... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful New tools for searching the web, September 19, 2004 By  Barbara F. Thompson "fritchman@triad.rr.com" (Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews    This review is from: Web Search Garage (Paperback) Web Search Garage Tara Calishain As a research consultant I use the web on a daily basis. Tara's book offers researchers the best tips and tricks for getting the most out your web searching. Using a first person voice, Tara lends her own experiences, both good and bad, to the well written but easy to read text. Garages hold everything from cars and bicycles to tools for gardening and lawn care. Tara's book will introduce you to tools to make your Internet searching fun and successful. Tara starts the book with a great overview and discussion of the various search engines explaining the differences in their defaults, syntax, and coverage. From search engines, she focuses on browsers, spam protection, plug-ins, and gadgets...in other words, all the wonderful tools available out there for enhancing your searching. Readers can learn strategies for getting the best results with your search terms from a wide variety of sources beyond just search engines such... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you?  Report abuse | Permalink  Comment

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Praise For Web Search Garage

"This book is a treasure" - Wendy Boswell, Websearch Guide, About.com

"I loved this book. I learned new things. Tara’s got some great ways of starting out each section with a general principle and then explaining how to put this principle to use with specific search strategies. Though she’s widely known as the gal who co-wrote Google Hacks, this goes beyond Google and talks about other search engines as well as offers search strategies that aren’t engine specific." - Jessamyn West, librarian.net

“Tara Calishain is one of the most respected Web search experts in the world, so when she publishes a book, searchers pay attention.” – Pandia.com (Click here for complete review.)

"Every now and then a book comes along that's a must-read for every serious searcher, and Tara Calishain's Web Search Garage falls squarely into that category. I'm not given to hyperbole, but it's no exaggeration for me to call Tara Calishain one of the world's foremost experts on web search. She not only sports the technical chops, she also has an insatiable curiosity and proclivity for experimenting with search tools to push them to the limits. And in Web Search Garage , Tara gives us an inside look at her own search "workshop," providing an intimate glimpse of an artisan practicing her craft." – Chris Sherman, Associate Editor, SearchEngineWatch

“Tara Calishain offers a great and easy-to-understand overview on the topic which took me years to learn and expertise: search. No matter who you are and what you do, this book's for everybody. It certainly taught me a lot, and if I were to read it again, no-doubt I would learn something new.” – Sid Yadav of The Daily Rundown (Click here for complete review.)

"There will doubtless be updates in the world of Internet research, but for now Tara Calishain has written the bible. Moreover, the lucid and jargon-free style of Web Search Garage means that amateur searchers-researchers like me can benefit immensely. This is not theory: I've known Calishain for years, and used her services continuously; she is the Master!" - Tom Peters, co-author, In Search of Excellence

“From the queen of web research, this book gives you everything you need to know to actually find what you're looking for on the web. This book is so useful, it's scary. It's the only book I actually keep on my desk, next to my PC." - Mary Ellen Bates, Bates Information Services

"Regardless of the way you use the web, either for work or play, reading Web Search Garage will introduce new "tools" for enhancing your skills using the Internet." - Barbara Thompson, Research Solutions

"I have to do research each week for my nationally syndicated newspaper column. Over the years, I felt I knew many of the tricks to minimize wasting time while looking for great information on the Internet. After reading just one hour of Web Search Garage, I have discovered my search methods and techniques are about as productive as using a rock to hammer a nail. Web Search Garage will save me hundreds of hours of time and allow me to discover jewels of information that other people lose among the thousands of pages of Web Search results." - Tim Carter, AsktheBuilder.com

"Reading Tara Calishain's Web Search Garage gave me fast access to some of the lesser known (but very powerful) search engine research tricks. Whether you spend a minute or an hour a day using search engines, her book is an entertaining must- read. The best part is that her writing style makes it fun to read rather than some of the many boring technical-oriented search engine guides. Any Executive who also wears the "SEO" hat will also appreciate Web Search Garage. Way to go Calishain!" - Chris Knight, ChrisKnight.com

“What Tara Calishain doesn't know about online research isn't worth knowing. She is the undisputed expert and Web Search Garage proves it!” - Peter A. Schaible, executive director, Subscription Website Publishers Association, www.SWEPA.com

"The shortest distance between your question and an online answer is Tara Calishain's Web Search Garage. This book can teach you to find anything online and do it quickly, thoroughly and authoritatively.” Peter A. Schaible, Executive Director, Subscription Website Publishers Association

“Tara Calishain is one of my secret weapons. Reading her newsletter and best-selling books keeps me at the top of my field. As I began Web Search Garage, it struck me that although I consider myself a writer, what I do most of the week is Internet research. And if I could improve my Web search techniques (getting better results in less time) the benefits would be significant. And with those high expectations, Web Search Garage delivered. If getting better Web search results in less time is important to you, Calishain's Web Search Garage is required reading.” - Barbara J. Feldman, "Surfing the Net with Kids" syndicated columnist

Online Sample Chapter

Web Search: the Principle of Onions

Index

Download the Index file related to this title.

Preface

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Table of Contents

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

I.·INTRODUCTION TO WEB SEARCHING.

1. Search Engines.

    Full-Text Engines.

    Searchable Subject Indexes.

    The Next Step: A Search Engine Flyover.

    Google.

    Google's Non-Web Search Properties.

    Yahoo-http://directory.yahoo.com.

2. Other Search Engines.

    Other Engines.

    Keeping an Eye Out for New Search Engines.

3. Online Tools and Gadgets:

Browsers & More.

    Browsers.

    Other Browsers to Consider.

    Which Browser Should I Use?

    Search Toolbars.

    Bookmarklets.

    Web-Based Gadgets.

    Client-Side Software for Internet Research.

    Some General Places to Get Software.

II.·PRINCIPLES OF WEB SEARCHING.

4. The Principle of Unique Language.

    Understanding and Finding Unique Language

for Your Searches.

    Using Unique Language in Your Searches.

5. The Principle of the

Reinvented Wheel.

    Finding Friendly Communities.

    Searching Usenet.

    Finding Specialty Link Lists and Directories.

    Finding Voices.

6. The Principle of Onions.

    Searching for Lyrics.

    Searching for Technical Help.

    Searching for Dog Breed Information.

    Searching for Biographical Information for a Term Paper.

7. The Principle of Nicknames.

    People.

    Places.

    Things.

8. The Principle of Every Scrap.

    Your First Search and Your Next Searches.

    Organizing Your Scraps.

    Scraps to More Search?

    Putting Scraps on to Simmer.

9. The Principle of Mass Similar.

    Using Brand Names to Narrow Your Search.

    Finding Brand Names in the First Place.

    Using Google Search to Build Lists of Names.

    Getting Lists of Names When You Don't Even Have One.

10. The Principle of the World Beyond.

    The Commandments for the Questioner.

    Experts in Associations.

    Expert Lists.

    Finding Experts Using Google.

11. The Principle of the

Expanding Web.

    News Sites.

    Search Engines.

    Specialty Pages.

    What Do You Do When You've Got 'Em?

12. The Principle of Applied Power.

    A Recap: What Are Special Syntaxes?

    Special Syntaxes on Full-Text Engines.

    Special Syntaxes on Searchable Subject Indexes.

    Using Two or More Syntaxes.

13. The Principle of Salt Grains.

    Questions to Ask About a Web Page.

    Checking Out "Internet Facts".

III.·SEARCHING THE WEB.

14. News Searching.

    Web Searching for News Articles.

    Using News Search Engines.

    Other Places to Search News.

15. Job Searching.

    Using Plain Search Engines and Company Sites.

    Local Resources (Newspaper Classifieds).

    State-Level Job Finders.

    National-Level Job Finders.

    Job Search Engines.

16. Finding Local Information

on the Web.

    Zip Code.

    City Sites.

    State Sites.

    Finding Deep State Resources in Google.

    Federal.

    International.

    Finding Information for Groups of Countries.

IV.·SEARCHING FOR MULTIMEDIA.

17. Finding Images.

    Avoiding the Naughty Bits.

    Image Search Engines Associated with Major

Search Engines.

    Specialized Image Search Engines.

    Specialized Image Collections.

    Finding Image Collections Via Web Searches.

18. Finding Audio on the Web.

    Sound Formats.

    Playing Sounds.

    Searching for Sound.

V.·SEARCHING FOR PEOPLE.

19. People Searching.

    A Few Words on Privacy.

    General People Searching.

    General Phone Books.

    Specialized Phone Books.

    Address and Zip Code Helpers.

20. Genealogy Research Online.

    Source Material.

    Great "Roundup Sites" for Genealogy Information.

21. Ready Reference.

    Search Engine Tools for Ready Reference.

    Roundup Tools.

    Dictionaries.

    Encyclopedias.

    Almanacs.

    More Ready Reference.

VI.·CONSUMER SEARCHING.

22. Consumer Help.

    Finding Product Information.

    Getting Other People's Opinions.

    Consumer Protection.

    Recall Information.

    Where to Complain.

    Watch Your Step.

23. Drugs and Medical Information.

    Tara's Quick Medical Warning.

    General Medical Searching.

    Community and Support Sites.

    Drugs and Web Searches.

24. Kid-Safe Searching.

    Tara's Rant About Kids and the Internet.

    Using Full-Text Searching.

    Kid-Safe Subject Indexes: A Better Way to Go.

VII.·TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

25. Drivers, Cheats, Help, and More.

    Finding the Community Help.

    Finding Help for Routine Things.

VIII.·SEARCHING THE WORLD.

26. International Information.

    What Search Engines Offer.

    Specialty Sites and Directories for Country Information.

    Translation Tools.

Index.

Downloadable Sample Chapter

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