In Search of the googLE

Although best known as a search engine, the Google search box actually provides an interface to a much wider range of services that can provide part of a handy desktop toolkit for OU students and staff, as well as the general websurfing public. Beyond the search box, Google host a comprehensive selection of online web applications, from web based email to word processors, calendars, to spreadsheets.

In the session, we'll have a quick tour through some of the queries you may not have thought of trying before (like '0.94 pounds per litre in dollars per gallon', perhaps?), as well as some of the more exotic Google search tools, before going on to look at the web based applications that could possibly be useful in a googLE (Google Learning Environment ;-)

You can find many example queries that are maybe a little different from the norm on this link playlist: In Search Of Google playlist.

The session has the potential to be an interactive one, so bring a wireless device and a browser if you can.

Several of the things I'll be demonstrating are Firefox extensions, so it'd be handy if you preinstalled Firefox (although it only takes a minute or two to install anyway). If you don't want to install Firefox on your laptop, why not pop Portable Firefox onto a USB memory stick instead?

The online applications I'll be showing you require you to have a Google account. If you don't already have one, get a Google account now.

The desktop apps I'll be demonstrating - like Google Desktop Search - can be downloaded as part of Google Pack.

A copy of one of the presentations used to support this workshop series can be found on Slideshow: In Search of the Google presentation.