Using Google Search Engine Like A Swiss Army Knife

Normally everyone thinks of using Google to find information, products, etc… by entering a word or phrase. But over the years Google has become a very sophisticated tool, almost to the point where it resembles a Unix or Windows command prompt.

Beyond traditional searches, Google can be used as an all in one Swiss Army Knife for mining non traditional information. Good or bad, you can't beat using one interface to do what used to take several sources to accomplish.

You are probably well aware Google can be used as a calculator, dictionary, or spell checker. But it can do a lot more.

Need to set the time on your watch Just enter: time florida and Google will display the time, Notice that since "florida" also exists in other areas, Google will display the time for those locations.

Or finding current news information, on video, such as when the recent California wild fires were raging out of control:

How about directions to Elvis Presley house? Just search for 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN then enter your address in the Start address field:

Too cold outside, wondering what the weather is…in Hawaii? Just enter hawaii  weather and get the current weather conditions plus the four day forecast:

Dreaming of how well your Google stocks are doing today? Enter the stock symbol goog for the results with in the last 15mins:

Planning a trip and need to find the current currency exchange rate. Try currency of australia

Feel like reading a book (well, almost any book)? Just enter the title of the book as: book war of the worlds

A you can see Google has evolved from being just a search engine to becoming a tool that can return almost any type of information you are looking for. Makes your wonder if there is such a thing as privacy anymore.

For more Google search tips, check out their help page.