Instead of drilling down through big websites - try this...

Today's tip is one that I usually reserve for my Internet classes.

Have you ever found yourself wading through a large website, clicking tabs and links without much luck finding what you need?

Sometimes the site has its own "site map" or search engine. Even then you may not easily hone in on what you're looking for.

Try this instead. Go to google.com and run a search, using the following syntax:

your search words site:domain

(NOTE: no space before or after the colon)


This tells Google to look for your search words or phrases, but only within the domain (usually a website that ends in .com, .net, etc) that you specify.


Here's an example: Suppose you want to cancel your AOL account. AOL does not make it easy. The cancellation policies and procedures are buried deep within the AOL website.

Try this Google search instead:
cancel account site:aol.com

The above search syntax tells Google to look for the words cancel and account, and to look for these words only within the aol.com domain.


Google site search can be used in a variety of situations:

• Looking for government-sponsored scholarships? Try this Google search:
  scholarships site:.gov
  

• Need a driver for your printer? Search:
  c86 driver site:epson.com
  (Substitute your own printer model and manufacturer website)

• Want to check out the validity of the email you got about boycotting gas stations on May 15? Snopes.com is the place to go, but you have to click several times to find the answer. Instead, try this Google search:
  gas boycott site:snopes.com
  

If you find these tips useful, check out my Internet Techniques course, including 8+ hours of audio instruction, step-by-step handbook and Web interface.

Spring special pricing ends May 15. Get it now and learn at your own pace.

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Pauline Wallin, Ph.D.
TeachMeInternet.com