google.public.support.general FAQ

=================================
google.public.support.general FAQ
=================================

Last modified: March 12th, 2007
Posting frequency: once a month
URL: http://gpsgfaq.googlepages.com/index.html


============
INTRODUCTION
============

This article includes answers to questions that appear especially
frequently in the newsgroup google.public.support.general. It is not
intended to replace Google's official FAQs and information for
webmasters. Please read them if you haven't already done so.

http://www.google.com/help/faq.html
http://www.google.com/support
http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/

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========
CONTENTS
========

1. GOOGLE WEB SEARCH
2. GOOGLE GROUPS
3. WEBMASTERS
4. GOOGLE DIRECTORY
5. GOOGLE TOOLBAR
6. GMAIL (GOOGLE MAIL)
7. MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
8. GLOSSARY

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=================
LIST OF QUESTIONS
=================

1. Google Web Search

Q: How do I clear information about my previous searches?
Q: How do I stop my previous searches from appearing when I type in a
new search term?
Q: How do I clear the history information of previously visited
web pages?
Q: My computer began to behave strangely. Why?
Q: Why am I getting redirected to other search engines when I try to
go to Google, or click on Google search results?
Q: Why am I getting all these popups from Google?
Q: Why can't I access Google or some other search engines?
Q: How can I adjust the settings of my web browser to make browsing
the web pages safer?
Q: How do I report spam to Google?
Q: Why doesn't a "link:" search show all my backlinks?
Q: Why does [link: your.url] (with a space) give me more results than
[link:your.url] ?
Q: How do I stop being redirected from www.google.com to other Google
pages?
Q: How can I change the language Google uses on its web pages?
Q: How can I save preferences for Google?
Q: Why doesn't Google remember my preferences after I switch off my
computer and turn it back on?
Q: How can I allow cookies for Google?
Q: How can I delete cookies for Google?
Q: How can I make Google my home page?
Q: Is there a way to see the search results numbered and without
description (titles only)?
Q: Where can I find the most popular search queries?
Q: What is the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button?
Q: How do I search for special characters like &, %, #, @, $, £, €,
+, -, /, *, =, <, {, [, (, ), ], }, >, :, ;, !, ?
Q: Can I make a proximity search with Google?
Q: Can I use wildcard symbols in searches?
Q: How can I search for an exact phrase?
Q: How can I exclude certain words from search queries?
Q: How can I search only from the title of the page?
Q: How can I search only from the URL of the page?
Q: How can I search only from the links to the page?
Q: How can I search only from the text of the page?
Q: How can I search for PDF, PostScript, Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
or Rich Text Format documents?
Q: How can I search from pages that have been changed in 3, 6 or 12
months?
Q: How can I search from a certain domain only?
Q: How can I find similar pages?
Q: How can I find pages that link to a page?
Q: What operators can I use in the search query?
Q: How can I make Boolean searches?
Q: How can I search from a specific country?
Q: I searched for example for the word "this" and it says "this is a
very common word and was not included in your search". How can I
include very common words in searches?
Q: How can I exclude adult sites from the search?
Q: Where can I find commands for the Calculator?
Q: What kind of constants can I see with the Calculator?
Q: What kind of calculations and conversions can I do with the
Calculator?
Q: I have enabled the "Open search results in a new browser window"
preference, but all results open in the same new browser window.
How do I make each result to open to a totally new window?
Q: How do I make each search result open in a new full sized window
in Microsoft Windows?
Q: What is Supplemental Result?
Q: What is Cached page?
Q: What is Local Search?
Q: Which search engines (or services) use Google search results?
Q: How many web servers does Google have?
Q: What operating system does Google use on the web servers?
Q: How many search queries do people make with Google?

2. Google Groups

Q: How can I change my name that appears every time I want to post or
reply with Google Groups?
Q: How can I automatically quote messages in Google Groups?
Q: What quoting styles and techniques can I use?
Q: How can I change my email address in Google Groups?
Q: My messages have disappeared. Where are they?
Q: How can I check the threads on what I post?
Q: How can I read google.public.support.general with a newsreader?
Q: How do I remove messages I have posted with Google Groups?
Q: I don't want to receive spam, but I still want to post with Google
Groups. How do I avoid spam?
Q: How do I respond to a post over a month old?
Q: How many newsgroups are there?
Q: What is DejaNews?
Q: Is Google Groups a message board?
Q: Are Google discussion groups same as Usenet newsgroups?
Q: Why does it take so long for my post to show up in Google Groups?
Q: I have found a newsgroup that isn't archived by Google Groups. How
can I ask it to be added to Google Groups?
Q: I have a question that doesn't relate to this newsgroup, where can
I ask it?
Q: Can I post commercial advertisements in
google.public.support.general?
Q: Where is the Group Charter for this newsgroup?
Q: Do Google employees post to this newsgroup?
Q: Where can I report problems with Google Groups?
Q: Are there other official Google discussion groups and/or mailing
lists?

3. Webmasters

Q: My web site has never been indexed by Google. Why?
Q: My new site appeared in the Google results for a few days, but now
it has disappeared. Why?
Q: Why is it that some days my site is listed (lately in the top
position) and on other days it isn't?
Q: Why isn't my web site on the first page of search results (my web
site is indexed by Google)?
Q: How do I determine if my web pages are in the Google index?
Q: I can't find anymore any web pages of my site. Is it banned?
Q: I'm quite sure by site is banned. How can I get it back to Google
search results?
Q: How do I submit my site to Google?
Q: Will my site be banned if I submit it too often?
Q: Why do I need incoming links pointing to my web site?
Q: Why don't the keywords in my meta tags have any effect?
Q: We have a new version of our website, but when you search in
Google for information about our website, the search result still
points to the old web pages. What would be the process to have the
search pointing at the new website pages?
Q: Does Google index dynamic pages?
Q: Does Google crawl JavaScript?
Q: Someone copied my entire website. What should I do now?
Q: How does my mirror site affect my Google PageRank?
Q: How can I remove a page or a site from Google search results?
Q: Why Googlebot comes only to my first page, but it never follows
the links into the rest of the site?
Q: How can I stop Googlebot from downloading the same file over and
over again?
Q: How can I stop Googlebot from downloading too fast?
Q: How can I stop Googlebot from crawling my web site altogether?
Q: What is robots.txt?
Q: What is robots meta tag?
Q: How do I recognize visits from search engine spiders (including
Googlebots) in my log file?
Q: How search engine spiders see my web pages?
Q: Can search engine spiders access my web site?
Q: How can I help my web site rank higher on a national Google
search for a certain country?
Q: Where can I see the dates of the previous Google updates?
Q: What is Google Dance?
Q: What are the Google data centers?
Q: What is the PageRank?
Q: How can I see the PageRank number for a website?
Q: How can I make my site rank higher in search results?
Q: How do I avoid my site getting banned by Google?
Q: Are there any webmaster tools or services?
Q: Are there any SEO tools?

4. Google Directory

Q: How do I change the description of my site in Google Directory?
Q: When is Google Directory updated next?

5. Google Toolbar

Q: I have installed Google Toolbar. Where is it?
Q: How can I clear the search history in Google Toolbar?
Q: Can Google Toolbar be used in other browsers than Internet
Explorer?

6. Gmail (Google Mail)

Q: After I have logged in to Gmail, why doesn't Gmail work?
Q: How can I reload a web page?
Q: How can I empty the browser's cache?
Q: How can I allow JavaScript for Gmail?

7. Miscellaneous Topics

Q: Where can I find Google logos?
Q: Why is my phone number listed in Google search results?
Q: Where does the word google come from?
Q: How can I insert the Google Search to my web page?
Q: How can I add feeds to Google?
Q: Does Google offer a webhosting service?
Q: How can I find people (e.g. email, address, or phone number)?
Q: Can you do my homework assignment?
Q: How can I make a good newsgroup post?
Q: How can I make people understand me?
Q: How can I contact Google?
Q: Are there any other FAQs about Google?
Q: Are there any other informative web pages about Google?
Q: How can I find this FAQ?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

====================
1. GOOGLE WEB SEARCH
====================

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I clear information about my previous searches?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Depending on what web browser you use, your previous searches can be
saved as form information, history information and cache information.
See questions "How do I stop my previous searches from appearing when
I type in a new search term?", "How do I clear the history information
of previously visited web pages?" (see the next two questions), and
"How can I empty the browser's cache?" (see section 6).

If you have Google Toolbar installed, see also question "How can I
clear the search history in Google Toolbar?" (see section 5).

If you are using the Google Search History service, go to page
http://www.google.com/searchhistory/ and sign in, so you can remove
previous searches if you have saved any searches.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I stop my previous searches from appearing when I type in a
new search term?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Some web browsers save information you type into web pages (known as
form information). Instructions for some web browsers:

If you are using Internet Explorer 6, click "Tools", select "Internet
Options", click "Content" tab, push "AutoComplete", and uncheck
"Forms". To clear previous searches, push "Clear Forms". You can also
delete search queries one by one: empty the Google Search Field and
double-click on it to see the earlier search queries, and delete
individual searches by moving the mouse cursor (or use Down arrow key)
over one of the search queries and press Delete key on keyboard.

http://www.google.com/help/faq.html#iehistory
http://www.google.com/support/bin/an...=465&topic=352
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...ocomplete.mspx

If you are using Internet Explorer 7, click "Tools", select "Internet
Options", click "General" tab, push "Delete...", push "Delete
forms...", and then "Yes" button. If you want to remove individual
search queries, see instructions for Internet Explorer 6 above.

If you have a program that uses Internet Explorer, such as another
browser or an add-on for Internet Explorer (for example MSN Explorer,
Avant Browser, or Maxthon Browser), see the instructions for Internet
Explorer above. You may need to close that browser or add-on before
clearing the form information.

If you have Mozilla Firefox 0.x or 1.x, click "Tools", select
"Options", click "Privacy", click "+" next to "Saved Form
Information", and uncheck "Save information I enter in web page forms
and the Search Bar". To clear previous searches, push "Clear" next to
"Saved Form Information". If you have Mozilla Firefox 0.9 or above,
you can also delete search queries one by one: empty the Google Search
Field and double-click on it to see the earlier search queries (or use
Down arrow key), and delete individual searches by moving the mouse
cursor (or use Down arrow key) over one of the search queries and
press Shift + Delete on keyboard (press Shift key and keep it pressed,
then press Delete key once and release it, finally release Shift key).

If you have Mozilla Firefox 2.x, click "Tools", select "Options",
click "Privacy", click "Clear Now...", check "Saved Form and Search
History", push "Clear Private Data Now" button.

If you are using Netscape 8, at the top part of the Netscape browser
window there should a Location bar (also called address field). Type
about:config into the Location bar (and press Enter). Now you should
see a text field (also called a text box) right to text "Filter:".
Type browser.formfill.enable to the text field. Now you should see
under the text field "browser.formfill.enable". Double-click it to
change it from value true to false. You can also delete search queries
one by one: empty the Google Search Field and double-click on it to
see the earlier search queries (or use Down arrow key), and delete
individual searches by moving the mouse cursor (or use Down arrow key)
over one of the search queries and press Shift + Delete on keyboard
(press Shift key and keep it pressed, then press Delete key once and
release it, finally release Shift key).

If you are using Netscape 8 in Windows, and you want to use Internet
Explorer engine for Google, you can also do this: go to the main page
of Google (you can do the same procedure for the national domains of
Google, for example google.co.uk), and if the icon at the bottom left
corner of the Netscape browser window looks like a Mozilla icon, click
it and select "Display Like Internet Explorer" so Netscape uses
Internet Explorer's AutoComplete mechanism to save form information.
Now you can go to Internet Explorer, and empty or disable the
AutoComplete information from Internet Explorer, by selecting "Tools",
"Internet Options", "Content", and "AutoComplete".

>From JB (jtb5358@yahoo.com):

If you're using Safari on a Macintosh: In the "Safari" menu, choose
"Preferences..." and click on the "AutoFill" tab. Uncheck the "Other
Forms" box to stop all autofilling. If you do want to keep
autofilling forms on certain web sites, click the "Edit" button and
add those sites to the list.

In the Mac version of Firefox, go to the "Firefox" menu, and choose
"Preferences", then "Privacy", then "Saved Form Information".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I clear the history information of previously visited
web pages?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Instructions for some web browsers:

If you are using Internet Explorer 6, click "Tools", select "Internet
Options", push "Clear History" button. If you don't want documents to
be added to the history, change the value to 0 (zero) in "Days to keep
pages in history". If you want to remove individual documents in
history, click the "History" button in Standard Buttons toolbar,
right-click a web site or a document and select "Delete" (you may need
to add the "History" button to the Standard Buttons toolbar:
right-click the toolbar, select "Customize...", and add the "History"
button from "Available toolbar buttons" section to "Current toolbar
buttons" section).

If you are using Internet Explorer 7, click "Tools", select "Internet
Options", click "General" tab, push "Delete...", push "Delete
history...", and then "Yes" button.

If you have a program that uses Internet Explorer, such as another
browser or an add-on for Internet Explorer (for example MSN Explorer,
Avant Browser, or Maxthon Browser), see the instructions for Internet
Explorer above. You may need to close that browser or add-on before
clearing history.

If you have Mozilla Firefox 0.x or 1.x, click "Tools", select
"Options...", click "Privacy", click "History", push "Clear" (Firefox
0.x or 1.x) button or "Clear Browsing History Now" (Firefox 1.5.x)
button. In Firefox 1.5.x if you don't want documents to be added to
the history, change the value to 0 (zero) in "Remember visited pages
for the last" ... "days". If you want to remove individual documents
in history, click the "History" button in Navigation Toolbar,
right-click a folder or a document and select "Delete" (you may need
to add the "History" button to the Navigation Toolbar: right-click the
toolbar, select "Customize...", and drag the "History" button to the
toolbar).

If you have Mozilla Firefox 2.x, click "Tools", select "Options",
click "Privacy", click "Clear Now...", check "Browsing History",
push "Clear Private Data Now" button.

If you have Mozilla (Mozilla Suite) 1.x, click "Edit", select
"Preferences...", expand "Navigator", click "History", push "Clear
History" button. If you don't want web documents to be added to the
history, change the value to 0 (zero) in "Remember visited pages for
the last" ... "days". You may need to close the browser to get the
history cleared.

If you have Netscape Navigator (Communicator) 4.x, click "Edit",
select "Preferences...", click "Navigator", push "Clear History"
("Expire Now" on Mac OS). If you don't want documents to be added to
the history, change the value to 0 (zero) in "Pages in history expire
after" ("Visited links expire" on Mac OS). If you want to remove
individual documents in history, click "Communicator", select "Tools",
select "History" and in History window right-click a document and
select "Delete".

If you have Netscape 7.x, click "Edit", select "Preferences...", click
"Navigator", push "Clear History". If you don't want documents to be
added to the history, change the value to 0 (zero) in "Remember
visited pages for the last" ... "days". If you want to remove
individual documents in history, click "Go", select "History" and in
History window right-click a folder, a web site or a document and
select "Delete".

If you have Netscape Browser 8.x, click "Tools", select "Options...",
click "Privacy", expand "Page History", push "Clear". If you don't
want documents to be added to the history, change the value to 0
(zero) in "Remember visited pages for the last" ... "days". If you
want to remove individual documents in history, click "Go", select
"History" and in History section right-click a folder, a web site or a
document and select "Delete".

If you have Opera 8.x or 9.x, click "Tools", select "Preferences...",
"Advanced", "History", click "Clear" button next to "Typed in
addresses" and "Visited addresses" (Opera 8) or click "Clear" button
next to "Addresses" (Opera 9). If you don't want web documents to be
added to the history, change the value to 0 (zero) in "Typed in
addresses" and "Visited addresses" (Opera 8) or "Addresses" (Opera 9).
If you want to remove individual documents in history, click "Tools",
select "History", and in History window right-click a document and
select "Delete".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: My computer began to behave strangely. Why?
Q: Why am I getting redirected to other search engines when I try to
go to Google, or click on Google search results?
Q: Why am I getting all these popups from Google?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

You have probably inadvertently downloaded and installed adware,
spyware, parasite, trojan, a browser hijacker or a virus from some web
site.

Install, update and use all of these programs with the full scan
option: CWShredder, Ad-aware, Spybot - Search & Destroy,
SpywareBlaster, RapidBlaster Killer, SpyRemover, Spy Sweeper, and
Windows Defender:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/programs.php
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract..._download.html
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/speci...idblaster.html
http://www.spychecker.com/program/spyremover.html
http://www.download.com/Webroot-Spy-...-10192729.html
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx

Use a virus scanner also. Here are some free virus scanners (if you
don't already have a virus scanner):

http://www.free-av.com/
http://www.avast.com/
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

Be careful what to remove. If you are uncertain what to remove with
the programs or you can't get rid of the problem, send your HijackThis
log file to a spyware/security forum/newsgroup for assistance:

HijackThis:

http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

Spyware and security forums:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/links.php?cat=forums#forums
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://boards.cexx.org/
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup

Spyware newsgroup:

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.privacy.spyware

Also, you might have trojan Qhosts:

http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/da...an.qhosts.html
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/v....aspx?id=37191
http://securityresponse.symantec.com...oval.tool.html

You may need to start Windows in Safe Mode, which means you need to
tap continually the F8 key when your computer begins to boot until
you see a menu where you can select Safe Mode:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm
http://technet2.microsoft.com/Window...f806c1033.mspx

To prevent new spyware to be installed to your computer, update your
Windows frequently to remove the latest security holes so there's a
smaller probability to get new spyware to your computer:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

More about spyware, parasites and hosts files:

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
http://www.imilly.com/google.htm
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/

Security directory pages:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Comp...rity_Scanners/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Comp...Removal_Tools/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Comp...uses/Products/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Comp...Trojan_Horses/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Comp...ware/Security/

Free toolbars with pop-up blockers:

http://toolbar.google.com/
http://companion.yahoo.com/

Free firewalls:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Comp...nal_Firewalls/

Other tips:

Use an up-to-date virus scanner and a firewall.

Avoid using disreputable spyware tools (some of them might even
install more spyware to your computer):

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Make browsing the web pages safer by disabling features such as
scripting, Java and ActiveX, see question "How can I adjust the
settings of my web browser to make browsing the web pages safer?".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Why can't I access Google or some other search engines?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Sometimes browser's full cache memory can cause various problems. Try
to clear browser's cache memory and then reload the web page (see
section 6).

If that doesn't help, try to search for spyware from your computer,
which can prevent you from accessing some web sites (see question
above).

If that doesn't help either, then your ISP (internet service provider)
might have DNS or some other problems. You could contact your ISP if
the problem persists.

If there is only one search engine you can't access (for example
Google), you might want to contact that search engine company, because
it might have for example DNS problems.

If you can't use your Gmail account, look at the Gmail section in this
FAQ.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I adjust the settings of my web browser to make browsing
the web pages safer?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Instructions for some web browsers (you may need to have Administrator
rights for the computer):

If you are using Internet Explorer 6 or 7, select "Tools", "Internet
Options", click the "Security" tab, select "Internet", push the
"Custom Level..." button, select "Disable" (or "Prompt", or similar)
for ActiveX, Scripting and Java options (for example "Download signed
ActiveX", "Download unsigned ActiveX", "Initialize and script ActiveX
controls not marked as safe", "Run ActiveX controls marked safe for
scripting", "Active scripting", "Java permissions") and also for some
other options, such as "Allow META REFRESH", "Display mixed content",
"Drag and drop or copy and paste files", "Installation of desktop
items", "Launching programs and files in an IFRAME", "Navigate
sub-frames across different domains". Some sites you are using may
need for example scripting so if you think you can trust a site (for
example your bank or a search engine), you can add it to the trusted
sites: in Internet Explorer 6 or 7 select "Tools", "Internet Options",
click the "Security" tab, select "Trusted sites", push the "Sites"
button, and add the trusted site (for example type *.google.com and
press "Add" button).

If you have Mozilla Firefox 0.x or 1.x, select "Tools", "Options...",
click "Web Features", uncheck "Allow web sites to install software",
"Enable Java", and "Enable JavaScript". Some sites you are using may
need for example scripting so if you think you can trust a site (for
example your bank or a search engine), you may need to allow for
example JavaScript while you visit a web site you trust.

If you have Mozilla Firefox 2.x, select "Tools", "Options...", click
"Content", uncheck "Enable JavaScript" and "Enable Java". Some sites
you are using may need for example scripting so if you think you can
trust a site (for example your bank or a search engine), you may need
to allow for example JavaScript while you visit a web site you trust.

If you are using Mozilla (also known as Mozilla Suite) 1.x, select
"Edit", "Preferences...", click "Web Features", click the plus (+)
sign next to "Advanced", click "Scripts & Plug-ins", uncheck
"Navigator" and "Mail & Newsgroups". Some sites you are using may need
for example scripting so if you think you can trust a site (for
example your bank or a search engine), you may need to allow for
example JavaScript while you visit a web site you trust.

If you are using Netscape 4, select "Edit", "Preferences...", click
"Advanced", uncheck "Enable Java", and "Enable JavaScript". Some sites
you are using may need for example scripting so if you think you can
trust a site (for example your bank or a search engine), you may need
to allow for example JavaScript while you visit a web site you trust.

If you are using Netscape 7, select "Edit", "Preferences...", click
the triangle next to "Advanced" until the triangle points to down,
click "Advanced", uncheck "Enable Java" and "Enable native object
scripting", click "Software Installation" (or similar) and uncheck
"Enable software installation". Some sites you are using may need for
example scripting so if you think you can trust a site (for example
your bank or a search engine), you may need to allow for example
JavaScript while you visit a web site you trust.

If you are using Netscape 8, select "Tools", "Options...", click
"Site Controls", click "Trust Preferences" tab, select "Do Not Use
Netscape Trust Ratings", and after the text "Always use this setting
as a default" select "I Don't Trust This Site". Some sites you are
using may need for example scripting so if you think you can trust a
site (for example your bank or a search engine), you can add it to the
trusted sites: in Netscape 8 go to the site you think you can trust
(for example http://www.google.com/intl/en/), click the exclamation
mark (!) in the tab which is for the site you are viewing, click
"Trust Settings" tab, select "I Trust This Site", push "Done".

If you are using Opera 8 or 9, select "Tools", "Preferences...", click
"Advanced" tab, select "Content", uncheck "Enable JavaScript", and
"Enable Java". Some sites you are using may need for example scripting
so if you think you can trust a site (for example your bank or a
search engine), you may need to allow for example javascript: go to
"Tools", "Preferences", "Advanced", "Content", "Manage site
preferences" and edit (or add) the settings for the site you trust:
select the site, push "Edit", click "Scripting" tab, check "Enable
JavaScript", push "OK", "Close" and "OK".

If you are using HotJava Browser 3, select "Edit", "Security
Preferences...", select "Advanced", click "Applets and JavaScript",
uncheck "Enable Applets", and "Enable JavaScript". Click "OK". Some
sites you are using may need for example scripting so if you think you
can trust a site, you may need to allow for example JavaScript while
you visit a web site you trust (for example your bank or a search
engine).

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I report spam to Google?

A: From Martin Hagstrøm (mha@altavista.net):

Google is not the Internet Police, but in cases where SPAM lowers the
quality of Google's results (e.g. misleading titles) you may report
them. Either use this URL:

http://www.google.com/contact/spamreport.html

or click the link at the bottom of the search results that says
"Dissatisfied with your search results? Help us improve".

Note: Don't expect immediate results. Google prefers to use the data
to help them develop better algorithms that improve results overall,
instead of playing "whack-a-mole" with individual sites.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Why doesn't a "link:" search show all my backlinks?

A: From Craig Payne (cbpayne@gmail.com):

Google have never shown all the links to a site. They have only ever
shown a "sample". Previously the criteria for being in the sample was
a PR threshold (probably a very high 3). Now there are other criteria
to be in the sample ncluding a PR threshold - but it is not clear
what the criteria is ...

Google still takes all links into account when calculating PR, even
though they do not show in the backlinks sample.

Google do not show them for what could be any number of reasons eg to
prevent reverse engineering of the PR algorithm; to save on computing
resources; etc

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Why does [link: your.url] (with a space) give me more results than
[link:your.url] ?

A: From Martin Hagstrøm (mha@altavista.net):

The former command will find: all pages that mention your site and
contain the word "link". + some of the pages that link to your site
and contain the word "link".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I stop being redirected from www.google.com to other Google
pages?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Google redirects you by probably using geotargeting, which usually
means detecting your geographical location based on your IP address
and on an IP-to-country database, which aren't 100 % accurate. Also,
inaccuracies can happen if you are using a proxy.

To stop being redirected from www.google.com to other national Google
sites (for example to www.google.co.uk), try to click the link "Go to
Google.com" (or similar) on the national Google main page or go to
page http://www.google.com/ncr

If that doesn't help, your cookies might be corrupted, so try to
delete your cookies for Google. Also, make sure your web browser and
security software still allow cookies for Google:

http://www.google.com/help/faq.html#eng_home

If you can't or don't want to allow cookies for Google, you can use
one of the below pages and save it to your web browser's bookmarks
(favorites):

http://www.google.com/webhp
http://www.google.com/intl/en/

If you don't mind being redirected, but you are redirected to an
incorrect national Google domain, you can contact Google:

http://www.google.com/support/bin/an...=873&topic=354

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I change the language Google uses on its web pages?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

You can change your language setting on page
http://www.google.com/preferences

You may need to change the language settings for the international
Google domain (google.com) and for your local/national Google domain
(for example google.co.uk).

If you are using a Gmail account, try changing the language setting
for your Gmail account also ("Settings", "General", "Language").

If that doesn't help, your cookies might be corrupted, so try to
delete your cookies for Google. Also, make sure your web browser and
security software still allow cookies for Google:

http://www.google.com/help/faq.html#eng_home

If you can't or don't want to allow cookies for Google, you should
find a language interface for your language (if one exists) on page

http://www.google.com/language_tools

You could also try to move up your preferred language (you may need to
add that language first) in the language settings of your browser. If
you have Internet Explorer 7, select "Tools", "Internet Options",
click the "General" tab, and press the "Languages" button. If you have
Mozilla Firefox 2, select "Tools", "Options...", "Advanced", and press
the "Choose..." button under the "Languages" heading. If you have
Opera 9, select "Tools", "Preferences...", click the "General" tab,
and press the "Details..." button near the "Languages" heading.

http://www.google.com/help/faq.html#display

If you can't see the characters for your language correctly try a
different character encoding in your web browser (for example
"Western", "Unicode", "ISO-8859-1", "UTF-8", etc.). If you have
Internet Explorer 7, select "View" and "Encoding". If you have Mozilla
Firefox 2, select "View", and "Character Encoding". If you have Opera
9, select "View", and "Encoding".

If you still can't see the characters for your language correctly, you
may need to install the correct language files for your operating
system. If you have the Windows operating system, push "Start" button,
select "Settings", select "Control Panel", double-click "Regional and
Language Options", click the "Languages" tab. There you may need to
select "Install files for complex script and right-to-left languages
(including Thai)" or "Install files for East Asian languages". The
settings in different Windows versions may differ. Also, you probably
need to have administrator rights for your computer and the Windows
installation disc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I save preferences for Google?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Allow cookies for Google.

If you can't or don't want to allow cookies for Google, try Method A
or Method B.

Method A
--------

1. Go to http://www.google.com/language_tools and click "Google
Search" (or similar) button on that page.

2. Click "Preferences" (or similar) link.

3. Choose the settings you want to use (interface language, search
language(s), number of results per page, open search results in a
new window, etc.) and click "Save Preferences" (or similar) button.

4. Because you can't or don't want to allow cookies for Google, you
may want to bookmark the resulting page so you can use Google with
those preferences again the next time you use Google.

Method B
--------

Another way to change the settings is by modifying the below URL:

http://www.google.com/search?num=100...&output=search

As you can see, the interface language is English (hl=en), the search
language is any language (lr=), SafeSearch is set to strict filtering
(safe=active), number of search results per page is 100 (num=100),
and search results will be opened to new windows (newwindow=1).

The interface language code (hl=) can be found by going to
http://www.google.com/language_tools and clicking one of the links
under the "Use the Google Interface in Your Language" (or similar)
headline and looking at the URL. For example, if you click "English"
(or similar) link, you will be directed to
http://www.google.com/intl/en/ where the code is "en" for English.

The search language (lr=lang_) setting has less codes than the
interface language setting and can be changed by placing the language
code after the lang_. For example lang_en is for English.

You can find a list of the interface language codes (hl=) and search
language (lr=lang_) codes here:

http://gpsgfaq.googlepages.com/googl...age_codes.html

The number of search results per page setting can be 10 (num=10),
20 (num=20), 30 (num=30), 50 (num=50) or 100 (num=100).

The SafeSearch setting can be strict (safe=active), disabled
(safe=off) or moderate (remove the safe=xxx part from the URL).

The open search results to new windows can be on (openednewwindow=1)
or off (remove the openednewwindow=xxx part from the URL).

After you have modified the URL, remember to press Enter, Return, etc.
for the changes to take effect.

When you are happy with the URL, you could bookmark it for future use.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Why doesn't Google remember my preferences after I switch off my
computer and turn it back on?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Delete all cookies for Google Web Search, and try to save preferences
again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I allow cookies for Google?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Check the settings for your web browser and for your security software
(virus scanner, firewall, ad blocker, etc.), which may block or delete
your cookies. Instructions for some web browsers on how to allow
cookies:

If you are using Internet Explorer 6 or 7, click "Tools", select
"Internet Options", click "Privacy" tab, and see what setting you have
for cookies. If the setting for cookies is "Block All Cookies", you
can't allow cookies for Google or any other website. If you are
willing to receive cookies, change to some other setting, for example
"High", and click "OK". Now you can allow cookies for google.com:
click "Tools", select "Internet Options", click "Privacy" tab, push
"Edit" (IE6) or "Sites" (IE7), type google.com in the field and push
"Allow", "OK" and "OK".

If you have Mozilla Firefox 0.x or 1.x, click "Tools", select
"Options...", click "Privacy", select "Cookies", push "Exceptions",
type google.com in the field, push "Allow", "OK", and "OK".

If you have Mozilla Firefox 2.x, click "Tools", select "Options...",
click "Privacy", push "Exceptions", type google.com in the field, push
"Allow", "Close", and "OK".

If you have Mozilla 1.x (Mozilla Suite), click "Edit", select
"Preferences...", select "Privacy & Security", select "Cookies", push
"Cookie Manager", click "Cookie Sites" tab, type google.com in the
field, push "Allow", push "Close", and "OK".

If you have Netscape 4.x, click "Edit", select "Preferences...",
select "Advanced". Select "Accept all cookies" or "Accept only
cookies that get sent back to the originating server". You might
also want to check "Warn me before accepting a cookie". Push "OK".

If you have Netscape 7, click "Edit", select "Preferences...", select
"Privacy & Security", select "Cookies", and see what setting you have
for cookies. If the setting for cookies is "Disable cookies", you
can't allow cookies for Google or any other website. If you are
willing to receive cookies, change to some other setting, for example
"Enable cookies for the originating web site only", and click "OK".
If that doesn't help, then you might have accidently blocked cookies
for google.com. To see if that has happened, click "Edit", select
"Preferences...", select "Privacy & Security", select "Cookies", push
"Manage Stored Cookies", click "Cookie Sites" tab, click
www.google.com, and push "Remove Site".

If you have Opera 8 or 9, you might have to first empty the cache:
click "Tools", select "Preferences...", select "Advanced", click
"History", push "Empty now", and "OK" (you might have to do this a few
times). Then you can enable cookies: In Opera 8 click "Tools", select
"Preferences...", click "Cookies", under text "Normal cookies" select
"Let me decide every time I receive one", or "Accept all cookies" and
if you select "Treat as specified in Server Manager", then also push
"Manage cookies...", push "New...", type google.com, check "Apply
these settings for entire domain" and "Accept cookies for
server/domain", push "OK", push "Close", and do the same for your
national Google domain (for example google.co.uk). In Opera 9 click
"Tools", select "Preferences...", click "Cookies", select "Accept
cookies" or "Accept only cookies from the site I visit", and to make
sure you are allowing cookies for Google, push "Manage cookies...",
push "Add...", click "General", type google.com, click "Cookies",
select "Accept cookies" or "Accept only cookies from the site I
visit", push "OK", "Close", and "OK" and do the same for your national
Google domain (for example google.co.uk).

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I delete cookies for Google?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

If you are using Internet Explorer 6 or 7, click "Tools", select
"Internet Options", click "General" tab, push the "Settings" button
under the "Browsing history" (or "Temporary Internet files") heading,
push the "View files" button, press the "Internet Address" or "Type"
column headings to find more easily cookies for Google, right-click
the name of the cookie and select "Delete". If you are using Internet
Explorer 6, and you want to delete all the cookies for all the
services at once, click "Tools", select "Internet Options", and push
the "Delete Files" files button. If you are using Internet Explorer 7,
and you want to delete all the cookies for all the services at once,
click "Tools", select "Internet Options", click "General" tab, push
"Delete..." button, and press "Delete cookies..." button.

If you have Mozilla Firefox 2.x, click "Tools", select "Options...",
click "Privacy", push "Show Cookies..." button, delete cookies for
Google. If you want to delete all the cookies for all the services at
once, push the "Remove All Cookies" button.

If you have Mozilla Firefox 1.x, click "Tools", select "Options...",
click "Privacy", select "Cookies", push "View Cookies" button, delete
cookies for Google. If you want to delete all the cookies for all the
services at once, push the "Remove All Cookies" button.

If you have Mozilla 1.x (Mozilla Suite), click "Edit", select
"Preferences...", expand "Privacy & Security" section by pressing the
"+" character next to it, select "Cookies", push "Cookie Manager"
button, click "Stored Cookies" tab, delete cookies for Google. If you
want to delete all the cookies for all the services at once, push the
"Remove All Cookies" button.

If you have Netscape 8, click "Tools", select "Options...", select
"Privacy", select "Cookies", push "View Cookies", delete cookies for
Google. If you want to delete all the cookies for all the services at
once, push the "Remove All Cookies" button.

If you have Opera 8 or 9, click "Tools", select "Preferences...",
click "Advanced" tab, click "Cookies", push "Manage cookies..."
button, remove cookies for Google.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I make Google my home page?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

http://www.google.com/options/defaults.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Is there a way to see the search results numbered and without
description (titles only)?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

http://www.google.com/ie

This page shows the position of a web page for a certain search query:

http://googlerankings.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Where can I find the most popular search queries?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

See Google Zeitgeist:

http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: What is the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

http://www.google.com/help/features.html#lucky

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I search for special characters like &, %, #, @, $, £, €,
+, -, /, *, =, <, {, [, (, ), ], }, >, :, ;, !, ?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Google doesn't support special characters very well, because it
ignores most of them in search queries. Try different search tactics
with different keyword combinations.

But Google does allow some uses of special characters:

You can search for I/O.

You can search for notes: A_, A#, B_, B#, C_, C#, D_, D#, E_, E#, F_,
F#, G_, G#.

You can use &, + and _ one or more times in the middle or at the end
of a character or a word or between characters and words: A+, a_, C++,
net__, page_count, i++++, a&b&c, i&&, "Health +& Human", "&& year".

But you can't use + in front of a word or a character: +i, "++number".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Can I make a proximity search with Google?
Q: Can I use wildcard symbols in searches?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

You can only use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard symbol in a phrase
search so that each asterisk replaces one word. For example search for
"1 * 3" can give results like "1 2 3", "1 1 3", "1 and 3", "1 to 3",
etc. Search for "one * * four" can give results like "one, two, three,
four", "one out of four", "one of top four", and so on.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I search for an exact phrase?
Q: How can I exclude certain words from search queries?
Q: How can I search only from the title of the page?
Q: How can I search only from the URL of the page?
Q: How can I search only from the links to the page?
Q: How can I search only from the text of the page?
Q: How can I search for PDF, PostScript, Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
or Rich Text Format documents?
Q: How can I search from pages that have been changed in 3, 6 or 12
months?
Q: How can I search from a certain domain only?
Q: How can I find similar pages?
Q: How can I find pages that link to a page?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

http://www.google.com/advanced_search

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: What operators can I use in the search query?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Here are some of them:

Basic operators:

+
Include a common word or a character in search results by putting
a + in front of it. For example include the common word "the" in
search results:
term1 +the term2

-
Exclude a word or a character from your search results by putting
a - in front of it. For example include term1 and exclude term2
in search results:
term1 -term2

~
Include synonyms for a word in search results by putting a ~ in
front of it. For example show results for the words car, auto,
automobile, truck, etc.:
~car

*
Replace any single word in a phrase. For example search for
phrases "term1 and term2", "term1 or term2", "term1 with term2",
etc.:
"term1 * term2"

""
Search for complete phrases by enclosing them in quotation
marks. For example search for phrase "term1 term2":
"term1 term2"

..
Search for a numeric range. For example search DVD players in the
price range from 250 to 350 US dollars:
DVD player $250..$350

OR
Show documents that include the word left to OR, or the word
right to OR, but not both on the same document. For example
search for documents that have term1 (but not term2) or term2
(but not term1):
term1 OR term2

Site and page specific operators:

cache:
Google's version of the page in Google's cache. For example show
cached version of Google's main page:
cache:http://www.google.com/

link:
List webpages that link to the specified webpage. For example
show webpages that link to the Google's main page:
link:http://www.google.com/

related:
List webpages that are "similar" to the specified web page. For
example show pages that Google thinks are similar to the Google's
main page:
related:http://www.google.com/

info:
Show some information that Google has about the specified web
page. For example show some information about the Google's main
page:
info:http://www.google.com/

site:
Restrict results to a given domain. For example search for the
term FAQ from documents in the google.com domain:
FAQ site:google.com

Search for terms from a particular area of a document:

allintext:
Return only pages that have all the words you entered in the
text of the page. For example show documents where all the words
(Make Google Your Homepage) are in the text of the document:
allintext:Make Google Your Homepage

intext:
Return only documents that have the first word after the
"intext:" in the text of the page and other words anywhere in the
document (in text of the page or not). For example search for
documents that have the word Google in the text of the page and
other words (Labs Beta) anywhere in the document:
intext:Google Labs Beta

allintitle:
Return only documents that have all the words you entered in the
title. For example search for documents that have the words
Google Directory in the title of the document:
allintitle:Google Directory

intitle:
Return only documents that have the first word after the
"intitle:" in title and other words anywhere in the document
(in title or not). For example show documents that have the word
Google in title and other words (Make Google Your Homepage)
anywhere in the document:
intitle:Google Make Google Your Homepage

allinurl:
Return only documents that have all the words you entered in the
URL. For example search for URLs that have the words google
groups:
allinurl:google groups

inurl:
Return only documents that have the first word after the
"inurl:" in URL and other words anywhere in the document
(in URL or not). For example show documents where google.com is
in URL and other words (Site Map) are anywhere in the document:
inurl:google.com Site Map

allinanchor:
Return results where the terms occur in links to the page. For
example show documents that have the words Google News in links
to the page:
allinanchor:Google News

inanchor:
Return only documents that have the first term after the
"inanchor:" in links to the page and other words anywhere in the
document (in links to the page or not). For example search for
documents that have the word Google in links to the page and
other words (news archive) anywhere in the document:
inanchor:Google news archive

Miscellaneous operators:

filetype:
Find documents of the specified type. For example search for PDF
documents with the word Google:
Google filetypeDF

define:
Provide a definition of the words you enter from various online
sources. For example search for a definition for ISP:
define:ISP

phonebook:
Show phonebook listings. For example search for computer related
companies from California:
phonebook:computers CA

stocks:
Show stock information for the symbols you enter. For example
show stock information for the Google stock:
stocks:GOOG

weather
Show weather information for a location. For example show weather
information for Mountain View in California:
weather Mountain View CA

movie:
Search for movie reviews and showtimes. For example search for
movies made in 2005:
movie:2005

daterange:
Search for documents indexed by Google in a particular date
range. You can use a date converter service to create the
"Julian date" numbers (for example
http://www.numerical-recipes.com/julian.html). For example find
documents that contain the words Google FAQ and are indexed by
Google on January 1, 2005 or June 16, 2005 or between those
dates:
Google FAQ daterange:2453385-2453551

Operators used in Google Groups:

author:
Search for articles that contain a name or email address in the
"From:" field of an article. For example find articles that are
probably posted by a Google employee:
author:Google author:Employee
author:groupmonitor@google.com
author:googleguy@google.com

group:
Search from a specific Google discussion group or Usenet
newsgroup. For example search for articles that contain the words
Google Toolbar and which are posted to the official Google
support discussion group:
Google Toolbar group:google.public.support.general

allinsubject:
Find articles that have all the words in the "Subject:" line of
the article. For example search for articles that have the words
Google Update in the "Subject:" line:
allinsubject:Google Update

insubject:
Return only documents that have the first word after the
"insubject:" in the "Subject:" line of the article and other
words anywhere in the article (in the "Subject:" line or not).
For example search for articles that have the word Google in the
"Subject:" line of the article and the word Toolbar anywhere in
the article:
insubject:Google Toolbar

http://www.google.com/help/refinesearch.html
http://www.google.com/help/operators.html
http://www.google.com/help/cheatsheet.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I make Boolean searches?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Examples: [x AND y], [x OR y], [x AND (y OR z)],
[(x OR y) AND (z OR q)], [x AND (y OR z OR q)],
[x AND (y OR z) AND q].

http://www.searchengineshowdown.com/...leboolean.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I search from a specific country?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Go to http://www.google.com/language_tools and select the country
under the title "Visit Google's Site in Your Local Domain".

For example, if you want to search for web pages from UK, click
www.google.co.uk and select "pages from the UK".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I searched for example for the word "this" and it says "this is a
very common word and was not included in your search". How can I
include very common words in searches?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Add a plus sign in front of the word, for example +this.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I exclude adult sites from the search?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Use the SafeSearch option from the Advanced Search page or from the
Preferences page:

http://www.google.com/help/customize.html#safe
http://www.google.com/advanced_search
http://www.google.com/preferences

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Where can I find commands for the Calculator?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

http://www.google.com/help/calculator.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: What kind of constants can I see with the Calculator?
Q: What kind of calculations and conversions can I do with the
Calculator?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

At the moment (February 2004) Google hasn't documented all the
features of the Calculator. Here are some procedures that work:

Constants:

Avogadro constant
electron mass
googol
molar gas constant
pi
Planck's constant
Stefan-Boltzmann constant

Calculations:

Arithmetic:
(1 - 2^(3 / 4))/(4 + 5) * 6 + (3^2^3)

Trigonometry:
sin(30 degrees) + arctan(2 radians)

Transcendental functions:
e^7 + ln(1000) + cosh(3.6)

Mechanics:
(1 kg) * (9.8 m/s^2)

Thermodynamics:
((1 mol)*(8.315 J/mol*K)*(280 K))/(1.013 * 10^5 Pa)

Waves:
sqrt((1 / 93 * 10^11 Pa)/(1.26 * 10^3 kg/m^3))

Electromagnetism:
(4 farad) * (1*10^-3 m) / (7.43 * 10^-12 farads/m)

Optics:
((0.09 m)(600 * 10^-9 m))/(2 * 0.021 * 10^-3 m)

Relativity:
(1.98 * 10^-6 s)/sqrt(1-(0.995)^2)

Quantum mechanics:
(4.894 * 10^-15 eV*s)(3 * 10^8 m/s)/0.0114 eV

Nuclear physics:
25*(1.007825 u) + 35*(1.008665 u) - ((548.5 MeV)/(931.5 MeV/u))

Conversions:

Number conversions:
0b1010 in decimal

Angle conversions:
2 radians in degrees

Distance conversions:
inches in feet

Temperature conversions:
kelvin in celsius

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I have enabled the "Open search results in a new browser window"
preference, but all results open in the same new browser window.
How do I make each result to open to a totally new window?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Keep Shift key pressed down and left-click the links to open them to
new windows.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I make each search result open in a new full sized window
in Microsoft Windows?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Pull the windows to full size, keep Shift key pressed and click Close
button in the windows, or try AutoSizer:

http://www.southbaypc.com/AutoSizer/

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: What is Supplemental Result?
Q: What is Cached page?
Q: What is Local Search?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

http://www.google.com/help/interpret.html
http://www.google.com/help/features.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Which search engines (or services) use Google search results?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

At the moment (February 2004) for example AOL, Netscape.com, and
CompuServe.

http://www.google.com/press/pressrel/aol.html

Some meta search engines use Google search results also (for example
Dogpile and InfoSpace):

http://directory.google.com/Top/Comp...ng/Metasearch/

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How many web servers does Google have?
Q: What operating system does Google use on the web servers?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

In 2002 Google used Linux on more than 10,000 web servers:

http://www.google.com/googlefriends/sep2002.html

In 2006 Google uses approximately more than 200,000 web servers:

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1933406,00.asp
http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news...le.php/3595946

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How many search queries do people make with Google?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

More than 200 million search queries per day:

http://www.google.com/press/funfacts.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

================
2. GOOGLE GROUPS
================

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I change my name that appears every time I want to post or
reply with Google Groups?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

If you want to change the name Google Groups suggests when you
subscribe to a Usenet newsgroup or to a Google discussion group, go
to https://www.google.com/accounts/ and sign in. Then click "My
Account" and click "Edit" next to text "Personal information".

If you want to change your name for one or for all the groups you
have already subscribed to, go to http://groups.google.com/ and sign
in. Then click "My Groups" and click "Manage my memberships".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I automatically quote messages in Google Groups?
Q: What quoting styles and techniques can I use?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Click "More options", "Reply". In Google Groups web interface you can
find "More options" link next to the date of the message. If you click
"More options", Google Groups will show you more information about the
message and more options. One of the options is the "Reply" link, and
if you click it, Google Groups will add greater than ">" signs to the
beginning of the text lines of the quoted article as a way to
distinguish the quoted text from your own text.

You can use three well-known quotation styles: top posting, bottom
posting or interleaved posting (trimmed posting).

Top posting means you type your answer before the original text.
Bottom posting means you type your reply after the original text. In
interleaved posting you type your text in between the original text
and trim out unnecessary text. Trimming saves the time of all the
other people when they only need to read the text necessary to
understand which part of your text is a response to which part of the
original text you reply to.

Many people prefer interleaved posting, because in many languages you
read the text from top to bottom so it is logical that the reply is at
the bottom of the message and it is easy to follow the discussion when
the answer is immediately after the quoted question. An interleaved
and trimmed answer could look like this:

Neil Newbie wrote:
> Hello, I would like to ask two questions:
> - what is Google Groups?

Google Groups is a discussion service where you can read and
post messages.

> - how can I get a Google account?

You can get a Google account by going to
https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount and following the
instructions on that page.

Ellie Expert

Also, keep in mind that some people read the discussions via email and
they might get a lot of email daily and they may want to delete old
messages from their computers so they don't might have the option to
see the previous messages so if you are replying to a message and you
don't quote anything from the original message it can be difficult to
find out who is replying to whom and what was the original question.

Notice that the Google Groups web interface doesn't support discussion
board tags such as or <blockquote> </blockquote> used
for example in BBCode, Ikonboard, phpBB, vBulletin, WWWBoard, and
YaBB. Instead, discussion board codes are shown as they are without
any special effects.

More info about quoting:

http://www.cs.tut.fi/~jkorpela/usenet/brox.html
http://www.uwasa.fi/~ts/http/quote.html
http://www.xs4all.nl/~wijnands/nnq/nquote.html
http://mailformat.dan.info/quoting/top-posting.html
http://www.caliburn.nl/topposting.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I change my email address in Google Groups?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Go to https://www.google.com/accounts/ and sign in. Then click "My
Account" and click "Change email".

If you don't see the link "Change email", then you might have Gmail
address in which case you need to create a new Google account for the
new email address. (You could click the link "Delete Gmail Service"
on page https://www.google.com/accounts/EditServices but it's risky,
because you might want to use the Gmail address later and there can
be problems if you delete it.)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: My messages have disappeared. Where are they?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Search for author:your@email.address or use the Advanced Groups
Search page:

http://www.google.com/advanced_group_search

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I check the threads on what I post?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

With Google Groups, click the star next to the topic you are
interested in so that the star changes to yellow.

Or search for author:your@email.address and bookmark the resulting
page or threads.

http://www.google.com/googlegroups/tour/index.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How can I read google.public.support.general with a newsreader?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

You can't. You can access google.public.support.general only from a
web browser. Or you can subscribe to google.public.support.general
with Google Groups, and make a selection that you want to use it by
email by clicking "My Groups" and "Manage my memberships".

http://groups.google.com/support/bin...7911&topic=252

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I remove messages I have posted with Google Groups?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Click "More options" next to your message, and click "Remove".

See also:

http://groups.google.com/support/bin...y?answer=46493

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I don't want to receive spam, but I still want to post with Google
Groups. How do I avoid spam?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Get a free email address and create a Google account for it. Spam will
go to the free email address:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Comp...ree/Web-Based/
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/net-abuse-faq/harvest/

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I respond to a post over 60 days old?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

If you are using a Usenet newsgroup with Google Groups, you shouldn't
reply to old newsgroup posts, because many newsgroup users can't see
messages older than a few weeks, because they are using newsreaders,
which receive only the newest newsgroup articles from newsservers.
But if you still want to discuss about an old subject, it is wise to
create a new thread and to take some points from the original thread
with your thoughts included so people using newsreaders will know what
you are talking about.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How many newsgroups are there?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

The authoritative file listed over 45,000 "official" newsgroups on
January 2007. There are also some newsgroups, which aren't on the
list:

ftp://ftp.isc.org/pub/usenet/CONFIG/active/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Usenet/

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: What is DejaNews?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

DejaNews was a Usenet archive, which was acquired by Google on
February 2001:

http://www.google.com/press/pressrel...release48.html
http://groups.google.com/googlegroups/deja_syntax.html

DejaNews was replaced by Google Groups 1 (GG1), which was replaced
by Google Groups 2 (GG2), which which was replaced by Google Groups 3
(GG3) on January 2007:

http://groups.google.com/group/googl...803f0c7fb6974f
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1734820,00.asp
http://gpsgfaq.googlepages.com/gg1_sites.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Is Google Groups a message board?
Q: Are Google discussion groups same as Usenet newsgroups?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Google Groups is not only a message board. Google Groups is a Usenet
archive, which contained more than 845 million archived newsgroup
messages in February 2004. Archived newsgroup messages date back to
year 1981 (Usenet was created in 1979).

In addition to reading and posting to Usenet newsgroups, you can also
create your own Google discussion groups. Google discussion groups
are different from Usenet groups, because you can read Usenet
newsgroups with a newsreader (and also with Google Groups), but you
can't read Google discussion groups with a newsreader.

http://www.google.com/googlegroups/a...nounce_20.html
http://www.google.com/press/pressrel/6billion.html
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...8f36fb3e2c0aac
http://www.google.com/googlegroups/about.html#usenet
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/netw...21/usenet.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Why does it take so long for my post to show up in Google Groups?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

There are over 45,000 newsgroups, and Google Groups archives many of
them (over 35,000). Google Groups has newsgroup messages dating back
to 1981 and there are over 845 million messages in the archive. That
is a huge amount of information to deal with. In addition to Usenet
newsgroups, Google Groups also archives Google discussion groups:

http://www.google.com/googlegroups/a...nounce_20.html
http://www.google.com/press/pressrel...release48.html
http://www.google.com/press/pressrel/6billion.html

If you are having problems sending, seeing or receiving your messages
with Google Groups, see this unofficial troubleshooting guide:

http://gpsgfaq.googlepages.com/googl...nding_messages

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I have found a newsgroup that isn't archived by Google Groups. How
can I ask it to be added to Google Groups?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Contact Google Groups:

http://groups.google.com/support/bin...py?answer=7919

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I have a question that doesn't relate to this newsgroup, where can
I ask it?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Search for the most appropriate newsgroup or forum and ask there:

http://www.geocities.com/findnewsgroup/
http://www.cyberfiber.com/index.html
http://www.google.com/search?&q=%5Byour-topic%5D+forum

You can ask for most appropriate newsgroup or forum from a newbie
newsgroup or forum:

http://groups.google.com/group/news.newusers.questions
http://www.google.com/search?&q=newbie+forum

You might also be interested in Yahoo! Answers:

http://answers.yahoo.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Can I post commercial advertisements in
google.public.support.general?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

"this group explicitly prohibits The posting of commercial
advertisements or other promotional material"

"If you would like to report abuse on google.public.support.general,
send an email to groups-abuse@google.com."

http://groups.google.com/group/googl...ddeed9fdbf2a16

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Where is the Group Charter for this newsgroup?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

http://groups.google.com/group/googl...ddeed9fdbf2a16

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Do Google employees post to this newsgroup?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Not very often. Here are some of their posts:

http://groups.google.com/groups?&q=a...%40google.com+
http://groups.google.com/groups?&q=a...%40google.com+

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Where can I report problems with Google Groups?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

You can use this feedback page:

http://groups.google.com/support/bin/request.py

Or you can post a message to this discussion group:

http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Groups-Guide

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Are there other official Google discussion groups and/or mailing
lists?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Here are some of them:

http://bbs.keyhole.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/adwords-help
http://groups.google.com/group/analytics-help
http://groups.google.com/group/base-help-discussion
http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help
http://groups.google.com/group/codesite-discuss
http://groups.google.com/group/FFToolbar-Group
http://groups.google.com/group/Gmail-Help-Discussion
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-AJAX-Search-API
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Calendar-Help
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...erchants-forum
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Code-Search
http://groups.google.com/group/google-co-op
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Desktop
http://groups.google.com/group/GoogleDocsSpreadsheets
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Finance
http://groups.google.com/group/Googl...fox-Extensions
http://groups.google.com/group/google-for-educators
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Groups-Guide
http://groups.google.com/group/Googl...le-Ride-Finder
http://groups.google.com/group/Googl...Google-Scholar
http://groups.google.com/group/Googl...Google-Suggest
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Labs-Music-Trends
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Labs-Notebook
http://groups.google.com/group/Googl...casa-for-Linux
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Labs-Reader
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...-site-flavored
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Labs-Trends
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Maps
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Mars
http://groups.google.com/group/google-pack
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Related-Links
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-SMS
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Talk-Help-Discuss
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Video-Help
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Web-Accelerator
http://groups.google.com/group/Google_Webmaster_Help
http://groups.google.com/group/Google_Web_Search_Help
http://groups.google.com/group/googletransit
http://groups.google.com/group/GPCDiscussionGroup
http://groups.google.com/group/hosted
http://groups.google.com/group/IEToolbar-Group
http://groups.google.com/group/Joga-Help
http://groups.google.com/group/macwidgets
http://groups.google.com/group/orkut-help
http://groups.google.com/group/picasa
http://groups.google.com/group/sketchup
http://groups.google.com/group/WiFi-Help-Discussion

Before people could create Google discussion groups, in the past
Google used Usenet newsgroups (some of the products don't even exist
anymore, but you might find some info about them by using Google Web
Search):

http://groups.google.com/group/googl...c.labs.compute
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...abs.frooglewml
http://groups.google.com/group/googl....labs.glossary
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...google-deskbar
http://groups.google.com/group/googl....google-viewer
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...oard-shortcuts
http://groups.google.com/group/googl....labs.location
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...abs.newsalerts
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...s.personalized
http://groups.google.com/group/google.public.labs.sets
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...s.voice-search
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...labs.webquotes
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...amming-contest
http://groups.google.com/group/google.public.web-apis

----------------------------------------------------------------------

=============
3. WEBMASTERS
=============

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I have a question about my site. Can you help me without me
giving the URL of my site?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

In many cases it's quite difficult to help people without knowing
the URL.

We aren't psychics in google.public.support.general.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: My web site has never been indexed by Google. Why?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Check out with site search [site:your.site] is your site really not
indexed by Google. If it isn't, here are some possible reasons why
your site isn't indexed:

* Your site is new. It takes time to get indexed.
* There are no web pages indexed by Google linking to your web site.
* Your web site is not accessible to search engine spiders.
* You are using spamming techniques.
* You are linking to web sites that use spamming techniques.
* Previous owner of your site got your domain name banned.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: My new site appeared in the Google results for a few days, but now
it has disappeared. Why?

A: From Martin Hagstrøm (mha@altavista.net):

New sites are picked up by the Google FreshBot, but they are dropped a
few days later. It may take several weeks before your site is
permanently included in Google. One reason is that Google keeps copies
of its index on several different data centers, and whenever you
search, you may get connected to a different data center. It takes a
while to update all the data centers.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Why is it that some days my site is listed (lately in the top
position) and on other days it isn't?

A: From Craig Payne (cbpayne@gmail.com)

they may be tweaking algorithms; they maybe temporarily reverting to
old indexes at some datacenters; they maybe brining in missing
backlinks for some sites; they maybe testing spam filters; they
maybe....; is there a full moon tonight?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Why isn't my web site on the first page of search results (my web
site is indexed by Google)?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

There is a lot of competition especially for popular keywords. For
example on February 23, 2006 there were about 1,910,000,000 documents
containing the word 'Google' in the index of Google Web Search:

http://www.google.com/search?&q=Google

People usually look at the top 10 search results for a search query.
That is only about 0.0000005 % of all the search results for search
[Google]:

http://www.google.com/search?&q=10+%2F+1910000000

Google doesn't show more than about 1,000 search results for a search.
That is only about 0.00005 % of all the search results for search
[Google]:

http://www.google.com/search?&q=1000+%2F+1910000000

So you might have a very low probability to be seen on the first page
of search results especially for a popular search term.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I determine if my web pages are in the Google index?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Your web pages should be in the index if you can find some of your
pages with one of these searches: ["Title of your page"] or [keywords
on your page] or [URL of your page] or [site:your.domain] or
[link:your.url].

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I can't find anymore any web pages of my site. Is it banned?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

You shouldn't be banned if you can find some of your pages with one
of these searches: [site:your.domain] or [link:your.url].

If there are no web pages in Google's index that link to your web
site, Google might remove your web site from the index (that doesn't
mean your site is banned, it means your site doesn't seem to be
important, because no page links to your pages). One way to try to
find out are there web pages in Google's index linking to your web
site is to search with Google for your site inside quotes, for example
"your.site":

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22your.site%22

Some pages might mention your web site, but do they also link to your
web site?

One reason might be you have changed your web site so that search
engine spiders can't access your web site anymore. See question "Can
search engine spiders access my web site?".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I'm quite sure by site is banned. How can I get it back to Google
search results?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Clean up your web site from possible spamming techniques. After that
send a re-inclusion request to Google. It can take some time. You need
to create a sitemap file, which can be for example a text file, HTML
file or an XML file containing URLs (and possibly other information)
for the main or even all the public pages on your web site. You also
need to create a Google Webmaster Tools account (if you don't already
have one). Then you need to submit the sitemap file to your Google
Webmaster Tools account. After your sitemap file has been accepted,
log in to Google Webmaster Tools and select "Tools" (you may need to
click the link for the web site in question first). You should find a
link for the re-inclusion request. Select it and follow the
instructions. More info:

http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=40318
http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=34575
http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35843

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I submit my site to Google?

A: From Martin Hagstrøm (mha@altavista.net):

You could use this URL: http://www.google.com/addurl.html. But
generally it's best to let Google find your site by having some other
sites point to yours.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Will my site be banned if I submit it too often?

A: From Martin Hagstrøm (mha@altavista.net):

No, That would make it too easy to get your competition's site banned
;-) But again: there's really no need to submit your site to Google.
Let Google find it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Why do I need incoming links pointing to my web site?

A: From Tomi Häsä (tomi.hasa@gmail.com):

Because Google doesn't have enough employees to check all the over 8
billion documents indexed by Google every day, Google uses search
engine spiders and spam recognition algorithms instead.

Here's an illustrational example calculation:

If one Google employee would check every single document in the index
(8,168,684,336 documents according to the main page of Google on
August 10, 2005) 8 hours a day using one minute per document, it would
take over 46,000 years:

http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&q=%28816868