Google is used by millions of people to navigate the web every
day, but how many of us really put it through its paces? The Telegraph digs out
a few of the search engine's hidden gems.
1. Calculator
Google's calculator function is far more powerful than most
people realise. As well as doing basic maths (5+6 or 3*2) it can do logarithmic
calculations, and it knows constants (like e and pi), as well as functions like
Cos and Sin. Google can also translate numbers into binary code – try typing
'12*3 in binary'.
2. Site search
By using the 'site:' keyword, you can make Google only
return results from one site. So for example, you could search for
"site:telegraph.co.uk manchester united" and only get stories on
Manchester United from the Telegraph website.
3. Conversions
Currency conversions and unit conversions can be found by
using the syntax: <amount> <unit1> in <unit2>. So for
example, you could type '1 GBP in USD', '20 C in F' or '15 inches in cm' and
get an instant answer.
4. Time Zones
Search for 'time in <place>' and you will get the
local time for that place, as well as the time zone it is in.
5. Translations
A quick way to translate foreign words is to type 'translate
<word> to <language>'. So for example, 'translate pomme to english'
returns the result apple, and 'translate pomme to spanish' returns the result 'manzana'.
6. Site search for a
specific type of file
If you know you are looking for a PDF or a Word file, you
can search for specific file types by typing '<search term> filetype:pdf' or '<search term>
filetype:doc'.
7. Check flight
status
If you type in a flight number, the top result is the
details of the flight and its status. So, for example, typing in BA 335 reveals
that British Airways flight 335 departs Paris at 15.45 today and arrives at
Heathrow Terminal 5 at 15.48 local time.
8. Search for local
film showings
Search for film showings in your area by typing 'films' or
'movies' followed by your postcode. In the UK, this only narrows it down to
your town or city. In the US this is more accurate, as results are displayed
according to zip-code.
9. Weather forecasts
Type the name of a city followed by 'forecast', and Google
will tell you the weather today, including levels of precipitation, humidity
and wind, as well as the forecast for the next week, based on data from The
Weather Channel.
10. Exclude search
terms
When you're enter a search term that has a second meaning,
or a close association with something else, it can be difficult to find the
results you want. Exclude irrelevant results using the '-' sign. So for
searches for 'apple' where the word 'iPhone' is not used, enter 'apple
-iPhone'.
11. Public data
To see trends for population and unemployment rates of
different cities and counties, type 'population' or 'unemployment rate'
followed by the location. So for example, typing 'unemployment rate uk' returns
the answer 7.7 percent, and shows a graph of unemployment rates over the last
10 years.
12. Related search
To search for web pages that have similar content to a given
site, type 'related:' followed by the website address into the Google search
box. For example, typing 'related:telegraph.co.uk' gives a list of other UK
newspaper websites.
13. Package tracking
If you have a package tracking number from the USPS, UPS or
FedEx, simply plug it into Google Search and it will provide a convenient link
for you.
14. Define
Google's dictionary function allows you to type define:term
and get definitions of words. So a search for define:discombobulated tells you
that it is the past participle, past tense of discombobulate, which means to
disconcert or confuse.
15. Barrel Roll
Simply type “do a barrel roll” into the search bar and
Google dutifully obeys. Warning: this Google trick is known to make grown men
squeal with delight.
