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Five Minutes to Better Web Searching

Start searching more effectively right now!

By , About.com Guide

In this day and age, we're used to getting the bulk of our information via the Internet. We use our computers, our laptops, our mobile phones, and our tablets to get to the resources we need, and we're getting better and better at extracting data. However, there's a lot more to the Web than what meets the casual query, in fact, most of us have never even scratched the surface! In this article, we'll take a look at a few articles that will help you improve your online skills in no time at all.

Background

It's worth getting a quick rundown of the history of something so powerful, and understanding where and when it came from.

The History of the Web: The World Wide Web was officially introduced to the world by Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

The World Wide Web and the Internet: The Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) are terms that to most people mean about the same thing. While they are definitely related, their definitions are different.

How The World Wide Web Has Changed Society: The Web has not been around that long when you look at other forces that have shaped our society. However, it has become a huge part of many people’s lives; enabling them to communicate, work, and play.

A Short History of the Internet: Do you know how the Internet came to be? Note: Al Gore didn't really have that much to do with it, contrary to popular opinion.

Tools

In order to do a job right, you have to have the right tools. Here are a few online resources that can help you get what you're after.

What is a Search Engine?: We use them every day, but do we know what's under the dashboard of these incredibly complex tools?

Do Search Engines Search the Entire Web?: We don't even scratch the surface of what's available on the Internet.

How to Pick a Search Engine: There's more than just one search engine out there. In fact, experts suggest that you cultivate several for the best range of information.

100 Search Engines: All the search engines profiled at About Web Search in one convenient hub.

Google Cheat Sheet: Did you know that you can use Google as a calculator? A package tracker? How about making Google translate languages, find a movie theater, or find the local weather? There are shortcuts for all of these queries.

Shortcuts

Who doesn't want to save time, right? If there's something you find yourself doing on the Web over and over again, see if there's a way you can make that task shorter.

How to Find Anything on the Web: A collection of popular shortcuts, tips, tutorials, and tricks that can streamline your time online.

What is RSS and How Does It Work?: RSS (real simple syndication) is one of the best inventions to piggyback on top of the Web. Find out how you can make RSS feeds really work for you.

10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With RSS Feeds: RSS feeds can be surprisingly versatile. Find out how.

Fifty Things You Can Do With RSS: Fifty examples of what you can accomplish with this amazingly simple technology.

Safety

It's just common sense to make sure you are safe while enjoying your time online.

Ten Ways To Keep Your Search History Private: Don't want other people to see what you're looking at online? How do you feel about the websites and search engines you're using utilizing your unique search habits to send you targeted ads? Here's how to avoid both of these scenarios.

Anonymous Surfing 101: You can be completely anonymous on the Web, leaving no trace of what you might be looking at online.

Free Spyware Removal Tools: Spyware is easy to pick up on the Web, and it can be a real bear to get rid of. Here are a few tools that can make this task a little bit easier.

What is HTTPS?: Ever been on a secure site and seen the letters "HTTPS" in the URL? This a good thing

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