Easy Symbols to Make Google Work Better for You

 Google has been a go-to for people to find answers to their questions for over a decade now. “Googling” something has made its way into our vocabulary and people lean on it more and more each day. Google has put so much into their algorithm and user experience that they provide answers on the results page for many queries they deem are questions.

These do a great job, but Google doesn’t have everything figured out yet. This is partly because the amount of content and webpages continue to expand at exponential rates. Sometimes you could use a little help to find exactly what you need.

Luckily there are certain characters you can add to your search query to get to the bottom of your problem quicker. These are called search operators.

There are two main categories of Google search operators:

1. Basic search operators – Codes and symbols that modify basic text searches to help you find pages relevant to that query.
2. Advanced search operators – Commands that modify basic text searches but require additional parameters to narrow down search results.

Special Operators

As it turns out, search engines actually scan every search query for special commands. And even though the special command can cause annoyance as in the example above, they can also be extremely useful, if you know how to use them. With that in mind, here are some special commands that can really help you find whatever it is you’re looking for.

Subtraction

– (Negative Symbol): adding ‘-‘ before a word in a query will tell a search engine to ignore pages that use that word prominently. This can be especially helpful when you’re trying to find a specific piece of information, but the word that you’re using has multiple meanings.

For example, the phrase ‘steel drum’ can refer either to a Michael Scott’s favorite musical instrument, or to a barrel used to transport liquids. If you were only interested in the instrument, the search term ‘steel drum -barrels’ would give you a results page with industrial sites removed.

Similar Results

~ (Tilde): putting the ‘~’ symbol before a word tells the search engine that you are looking for words _similar_ to the one you entered. So if you were shopping for a used ‘car’, but also might be interested in a ‘pre-owned van’ or a ‘secondhand vehicle’, a good search term to use would be ‘~used ~cars’.

Exact Match

“” (Quotation Marks): usually, when you enter a phrase with multiple words into a search engine, the algorithm does try its hardest to match up as many words as possible. This works well if you don’t know _exactly_ what you want.

If you searched for ‘funny scene billy madison comedy’, you are probably looking for a general list of funny scenes. On the other hand, if you searched for ‘”I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul”‘, you can be sure to find information about a very specific scene.

Range of Numbers

.. (Two Periods): this operator means ‘between’, and is always used in the context of numbers. It can be a very convenient shorthand if you’re looking up something in a given date or price range. Typing ‘Cars $10,000 .. $30,0000’ into the search bar should return only pages about cars in that price range.

Wild Card

* (Asterisk): in most computer software, the asterisk symbol means is translated as ‘wildcard’. As the name suggests, wildcards are placeholders, which can be replaced by any word or phrase. This can be particularly useful if you’ve forgotten parts of a word or phrase.

If, for some reason, you were trying to find the name of a song that you know began with the word ‘happy’ and ended with the phrase ‘to you’, you might search Google for ‘happy * to you’. And then you would be rewarded with that wonderful Eureka! moment when you remembered that the word that was on the tip of your tongue was ‘birthday’.

Definitions

Searching “define:” with a colon and your word in question will return the definition of the word you’re looking for. You can also search for synonyms as well using synonym:[keyword] syntax.

Logic Operators

These can be used in conjunction with keywords to include or exclude different results. For example, fish OR chips will return results for either term.

Why would you want to exclude words or pages?

Depending on how broad your search is, Google will find sites that may be relevant or irrelevant to your intent. Excluding words from an otherwise broad search phrase can dramatically improve the quality of the results.

Specific Site Search

If you searched for: foxes site:nationalgeographic.com Using the word “site” followed by a colon will search for foxes but only on the specific website you want to search on.

The site operator is considered an advanced search operator because it modifies searches and requires an additional parameter. In this case, that additional parameter is a domain name.

Built In Searches

There are a lot of different searches that automatically return answers instead of websites to find answers on. These range from weather, conversions, movies, etc. It can really save time and Google is doing this for more and more queries every day.

Google has noticed a huge rise in searches containing “near me”. Because of this, they are showing a lot more automatic results for many things if you just type in hospital or restaurant. Focusing more on intent they can use machine learning to show the most relevant results to a user.

Keywords: Be Specific

There are other way’s to make your searches even better. Just like “near me” is now a recognized way of searching in Google you can manipulate the keywords used to get narrow your searches even further and get the information you need faster.

Relevance

Instead of: Toyota Car
Try: Used 2010 Toyota Corolla

Specifying used or new, the specific year and model help Google narrow down options and save you the time it takes to sift through results you don’t need.

Spelling

Instead of: Whole Grain Food Recipes
Try: Recipes Using Whole Grains

While Google will do its best to translate your spelling attempts, try to spell your queries correctly. If you’re not sure how to spell a word, do a pre-Google search to clarify the correct spelling.

(computer-aided detection)

Local Modifiers

Instead of: Best Asian Restaurant
Try: Best Wicker Park Asian Food

Making use of your city or neighborhood can help Google find better local area results and save you from getting search results nowhere near where you’re searching.

Less is More

Instead of: Mens 11 running shoes Nike Sports Authority Chicago IL
Try: Mens 11 Running Shoes

Knowing how many keywords to use is a bit of an art, but the more modifiers you use, the less weight search engines will give to each search term.

Punctuation Not Required

Outside of special operators, special characters are not necessary as Google does not take them into account when finding results. Keep it simple to save time when writing your searches.

So there you have it, 13 ways to improve your searches and get better results. It might take some time to integrate these into your daily searches, but a little at a time and you’ll pass Search Engine Searches 101 with flying colors.

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Semantic SEO

 The future of SEO involves a more semantic SEO. This means understanding as much as possible how much search engines such as Google understand and advance semantic SEO.

The inventor of the Web, Tim Berners-Lee came out with a revision of his original vision of the Web when he started writing about the Semantic Web. He published an article in Scientific American about The Semantic Web, which is recommended reading.

Search on the Web has been evolving to focus more on showing results that find things, instead of strings, or matching keywords within queries to keywords on documents on the web. We are in an age of Semantic SEO.

This is seen in Google’s original fact repository, followed by their knowledge graph, and Microsoft’s concept graph. Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Yandex all are followers of schema.org structured data markup, and it can be used to show rich results in search results.

We see Semantic SEO results in featured snippets, rich results, structured results, knowledge panels, synonym substitution, and special query processing of entities during this semantic search. Semantic SEO is the future of SEO, and both Google and Bing become more about Semantics and knowledge graphs.

Semantic SEO also involves including facts or attributes of entities on the pages that you write about those. You can also identify the entity class and link to information about that entity, and information that people should know about those entities.

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Give your Interiors the Traditional Touch!

India has a culture that is firmly rooted in rich traditions— and if you are looking for a theme for your home interior, why not go all out to embrace the soul of our artistic heritage? Staying true to your roots is always a good idea, and if you are ready to give your home a traditional touch, here are some ideas on how you can incorporate Indian elements into your living spaces. 

Set the right note the entrance with an ornate mounted brass knocker– the perfect statement for your main door! Make a strong first impression even as you welcome guests to your home.

 

A bronze uruli is a traditional Kerala vessel that has now found its way into the foyers of homes and resorts. Originally used to make large quantities of ayurvedic medicine or festival payasams, this classic vessel has now become a popular décor accessory. Fill yours with water, rose petals and floating candles to make it even prettier. 

Bright colours, silk cushions with ethnic motifs, and low wooden seating are all elements that you could expect to find in a traditional Indian living room. Typically, ethnic fabrics are heavily patterned and in vibrant hues. To showcase these fabrics, you should make sure that you have neutral pale colours in the background. Bright colours against a bright background can have an unsettling effect indeed!

 

If you have the space in your living room or balcony, a polished wooden ‘oonjal’ suspended from the ceiling on brass chains can form a lovely seating area that accentuates the ethnic theme. 

Cane furniture is not only eco-friendly, but it can be economical too. Dress yours up with handloom cushions to make it comfy and visually appealing. 

To delineate your floor spaces, you can lay down some patterned woven dhurries in hand-knotted cotton, wool or jute. Painstakingly handcrafted by village artisans, dhurries are great for any room. Be careful to choose the colours carefully; the colour you choose for the dhurrie should complement the other colours used in your room.  

No Indian interior is complete without some traditional Nataraja, Krishna or Ganesha artifacts. An intricate brass statue can be the focal point in your themed interior. So can a painting or mural that is hung at eye level on a focal wall. Seek out art with colours that match your furnishings, and you will have a winning combination!  

If at all possible, replacing your floor tiles with the famed Athungudi tiles from Chettinad can recreate a historic ambiance like no other. A dying art that is, fortunately, being revived, these handmade tiles are made by dedicated craftsmen in beautiful patterns using natural dyes. An interesting point to note is that the older they get, the more beautiful these tiles look!

 

Keep an eye out for interesting artifacts in your local antique shop. For those looking for unique finds, such shops are truly a treasure trove. Items like this old jewelry box from Kerala are a timeless find. You can restore and repurpose it to store your keys, letters, visiting cards and much more. 

Take a peek into your grandmother’s closet to find some dusty heirlooms that she may have long forgotten. You could find some old copper pots and pans like these. After a good rub down, they can be the pride and joy of your home. Such lovely old cooking vessels are just not created anymore!

 

And do remember that you have all the time in the world to get your interior perfect. A home interior that evolves over time can accommodate all the quirky, unique little bits and pieces that catch your eye from time to time. A delicately patterned throw rug here, a gorgeous old mirror there; there is no limit to what you pick up that would be just right for your home.

It’s all about combining different elements and textures. Listen to your heart, and furnish your home with love!

Source: http://blog.homelane.com/give-your-interiors-the-traditional-touch/

 

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Modular Kitchens – 5 Reasons Why They Work Best for Your Home

Modular kitchens comprise of modern kitchen furniture that has been constructed in modules or units. These consist of cabinets and other selected elements of variable sizes.

Kitchens have, in the last couple of years, gained a popularity that was previously unimaginable. Before, they were large, unattractive, dark spaces used only for cooking and storing the month’s groceries. Now, they have become stylish, elegant and modern units around which the entire household operates.

Besides cooking, kitchens are increasingly being used to entertain, and have evolved into beautiful, evocative spaces that add to, if not enhance the beauty of a home. Just because they aren’t of prime focus, does not mean that they need to be put together haphazardly. Homeowners today know and understand the value of having a beautiful kitchen – one that is well thought out, planned and merges seamlessly with the rest of the home decor. Modular kitchens have become a wonderful step in this direction, helping people plan the look of the kitchen well in advance, and also the accessories that go into completing the look.

Besides the several advantages they have, of most importance is their versatility and space utilization. There are several others which are detailed below;

HYGIENE

Modular kitchens consist of wooden blocks and are specifically designed to keep your kitchen clutter-free and clean. The quality of material used, and design make them a versatile and hygienic option than traditional kitchens. Cleaning a modular kitchen also takes a much less effort than traditional ones.

SPACE MANAGEMENT 

Every corner of your kitchen is properly utilized and each modular unit is specifically tailored for convenience. These units can be shifted or rearranged so that everything, be it the hob, the sink or your work area, are within easy reach.

SPACE UTILIZATION 

You can access every corner of your kitchen with the use of modular kitchen accessories such as racks, baskets, holders, bins and trays. The compact design of a modular kitchen allows for maximum space utilization.

COST-EFFECTIVE

Compared to the price of constructing a traditional kitchen, where each element has to be individually selected, fitted and workmen hired to put everything together, a modular kitchen is relatively cheaper. Because manufacturers produce such kitchen modules in bulk, everything is set up efficiently and with minimum wastage. Thus, designers can afford to give you better prices and customizable options.

EASY REPAIR 

Each unit can be detached and removed from a modular kitchen. Therefore, in case a specific unit needs repairs, it can be done efficiently and easily, and you won’t have workmen hammering away in your kitchen all day long either. Individual units can easily be replaced without even slightly altering the rest of the components. They are durable too. As with traditional kitchen units, you can pick and choose the elements used in the construction of modular units, the handles or knobs used on each unit and the finish and style of the units as well. A modular kitchen is therefore very adaptable and a good idea for a contemporary living space.

Originally Published In:  http://blog.homelane.com/modular-kitchens-5-reasons-why-they-work-best-for-your-home/

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Modular kitchen Bangalore | Modular kitchen Chennai  | Modular Kitchen Design Delhi | Modular Kitchen Design Mumbai | Modular Kitchen Design Hyderabad

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Home Design: The Four Seasons Decor That Will up the Vibes in Your Home

Every season has their own colour, fragrance and overall feel, and the change in them every three months is an inescapable reason to work the décor of your home. If you’re any sort of a green panther or someone who just doesn’t get enough of the nature, the four beautiful seasons, dressing your home in their colours is probably what you should already do. 

Here’s a list of ideas that will surely help you to find the right for your home’s mood; of course in melange with the springs, the summers, the falls and the winters of the year. 

Colours of the seasons draped in iridescent accents

Whether be the bright and fresh hues of spring, the amber of the fall foliage, the light and delicate casts of summer or the ruby reds and lime greens of winters, each of these colours have a unique, beautiful personality and a constantly evolving temperament. Imagine, every nook of your home adorned in these colours. The home design ideas that you can spin around the seasons’ colours can create a magnum opus of your artistic skills.

Irresistible little elements of the seasons 

Show your affinity with seasons in every nook of your home. How? The old rustic chest that you thought was ready to be thrown out can be laid on against the wall adding drama to the decor of the room. Some hand-painted lanterns in your balcony can go a long way, fitting to almost all the seasons. Ever heard of summer in a bowl? Yes, we are talking about potpourri that can accentuate the aura of an entire room.

Wreaths and corsages for those wooden doors and windows

Reminiscent of the medieval period, wreaths and corsages on doors and windows are a perfect way to grace the outside of your home. A pastel or a rosewood wreath on the window is a perfect fix for those winter evenings when you have friends coming over for a meet-cute. Easy to make, wreaths can be changed across seasons and re-used every year. Nothing welcomes guests better than a fresh, green and mossy wreath or a colourful corsage at your front door. 

Splash them seasons across blinds, upholsteries and carpets

There’s is still a lot on the home design front that can be played around with, keeping in check the seasonal variations. Whilst summer expects your home to have a light, sunny and fluorescent ambience, winters seek darker shades and textures, icy tones and shocking pinks for those window drapes and curtains to balance the cold outside while keeping the interiors of your house warm and cozy. Springs are all about the bright and fresh rainbow palette that will bring the liveliness of the season into your house with the multi-coloured carpets and blinds. And the autumns! You must try amber and other rosy colors next time you’re going upholstery shopping.

Let the seasons reflect their silhouette inside your home

Yes! Let all the seasons to the talking with each of your decor items. Let them teach you how to embrace all the goodness each season presents. There could not be a better way to bring nature into your abode and feel the liveliness all year-round!

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Sliding Wardrobe Designs

Swing wardrobes are great space savers that present the wardrobe unit with a sleek profile. The sliding doors cover the whole wardrobe from top to bottom and present the bedroom with a sleek storage unit that boasts a contemporary look. If you wish to give the bedroom a sophisticated appeal with a sliding door wardrobe you can opt for a mirror sliding door wardrobe that enhances the visual appearance of the room by making it look spacious and airy.

Sliding Wardrobe Designs Online

Sliding wardrobes can be used for small as well as large rooms. As the doors slide horizontally, this wardrobe will not accommodate additional floor space, which makes it good for small rooms. Likewise, large rooms can house a large wardrobe with lengthy doors running horizontally to give you complete accesses to the essentials stored in the wardrobe.

Buy Sliding Wardrobes Online

With a sliding door wardrobe, you can designate individual sections to organize the essentials based on the frequency of its use and the ease of access you need. The only concern with a sliding door wardrobe is that it will block the view of the part of the wardrobe, which is closed when the other side is opened.

Modular Sliding Wardrobe

Sliding wardrobes can save a great deal of space and you can compartmentalize the wardrobe to organise your closet in the most efficient way. Modular sliding wardrobes can accommodate your clothes and accessories including shoes, bags and more! All you need to do is choose from a wide range of sliding wardrobe designs online and get your favorite wardrobe customized to suit your space.

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Swing Wardrobe

The most common type of wardrobe used in many homes are swing wardrobes. These wardrobes use hinges to connect shutters to the wardrobe unit. When buying a swing wardrobe there are a number of factors to consider in choosing the right size, based on the space available in the room. Swing wardrobes are available in shapes including L-Shaped, Pentagonal corners and triangular for you to get the best wardrobe unit suitable for the space.

Swing Wardrobe Designs Online

Wardrobe buying can a tedious affair, if you are unsure of the various kinds of wardrobe that are available to suit your needs. While wardrobes can be swing or sliding or even walk-in, you need to choose the one that is appropriate for your room. While swing wardrobes are the most common of the range, these are more commonly used owing to its convenience and functionality.

Buy Swing Wardrobes Online

Swing wardrobes have an advantage of improving visibility, thereby giving you a clear view of the entire wardrobe. As the shutters of the wardrobe open completely, you have easy access to the essentials stored in the wardrobe. The wide open space available with swing doors makes it easy for you to store the essentials in its respective compartments for better organisation.

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