search

Search Privacy

        Here's some input from Jim Hays,   "In a recent posting David Passell mentioned using "duck duck go" to ensure search privacy. Another option is Startpage (https://startpage.com/) which claims to be 'the only third-party certified search engine in the world that does not record your IP address or track your searches.' 
        "StartPage is compatible with a broad range of browsers including Firefox, Safari and Chrome. StartPage can also be used to visit third-party websites with total privacy by using the StartPage Proxy."

Adware is Coming

        "Here is a link to the story about adware on the Mac," David Passell writes.   "I have noticed the 'Ask...' banner for search. I use Mozilla and i can select search engine. I use 'duck duck go.' 
        "I haven't used Safari for some time. I wonder if it defaults to the search engine and browser described in the article."  Take a look and see how it affects you. 
http://www.zdnet.com/article/oracle-extends-its-adware-bundling-to-include-java-for-macs/ tag=nl.e539&s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61
        As always, keep aware and keep alert. 

Spotlight Helps You Find It

Where did I file it? We’re all busy, so it’s time to get better organized.  Click on each illustration to enlarge it.

Look at Spotlight and Search.

When you highlight the title of a document do Command + I to bring up the information on it. Now write some key words in the Spotlight Comments box. See the screen shot at the left.

Let Spotlight help! Bring up Spotlight by doing the Command + space bar. Up comes the little box at the upper right hand side, top of the computer screen.

The screen shot below shows how I searched for my PMUG handout that described QR tags. When you hover your cursor over any one of the listings it shows where that document can be found. Click to open it from Spotlight or go to the folder where you filed it.

You can prescribe the parameters of Spotlight by going to System Preferences. You have 15 choices -- drag to the order you prefer. Note: you can also specify Privacy at that place in System Preferences > Spotlight.

To perform a more advanced search, you can include a Boolean search. See this:
http://www.usg.edu/galileo/skills/unit04/primer04_08.phtml

If you know the type of item you're looking for, specify it.  Add the text "kind:" at the end of your search.  For example, for email messages that mention Anne Johnson, enter "Anne Johnson kind:email."

For other helps go to the main menu and look up Spotlight.  Under Help, enter Search and choose "show all help topics."  There are 15 Help topics and 7 support articles.  (My screen shot here is cut short.)

Let us know what you’re doing these days with your Mac. Email me at edpr (and then put in that @) commspeed.net

Have Mac? Have fun!


(The above is a copy of my handout for the February 18, 2011  PMUG meeting.)  

Have You Tried This?

Here are two articles with nifty ideas to save time, trouble, and money.
Ten Simple Google Search Tricks, find the details here.
1. Use the “site:” operator to limit searches to a particular site.
2. Use Google as a spelling aid.
3. Use Google as a calculator.
4. Find out what time it is anywhere in the world.
5. Get quick currency conversions.
6. Use the OR operator.
7. Exclude specific terms with the – operator.
8. Search for specific document types.
9. Search within numerical ranges using the .. operator.
10. Area code lookup.
Avoid a Large Phone Bill When Traveling, find the details here.
Get the right phone, Check data roaming plans, Consider SIM cards, Look at the VoIP Option, Don’t forget the old-fashioned calling card.