Google search features are used for more than searching for the answers you are looking for and during Valentine's Day all types of things flow your social stream.
Heart hacks or graphing cardioids are popular and Google Students showed some love to math lovers http://googleforstudents.blogspot.com/2011/12/showing-some-love-to-math-lovers.html and shared this: (sqrt(cos(x))*cos(200x)+sqrt(abs(x))-0.7)*(4-x*x)^0.01, sqrt(9-x^2), -sqrt(9-x^2) from -4.5 to 4.5 (copy and paste into Google search box or Wolfram if you are a member), then some one started sharing this: sqrt(1-(abs(x)-1)^2), arccos(1-abs(x))-π
Graph for sqrt(1-(abs(x)-1)^2), arccos(1-abs(x))-π produces this version:
Keep tinkering and demonstrating that Geeks are cool!
So what else do you use Google Search for with so many options available?
Various categories of popular features range from Everyday Essentials, Reference Tools, Choosing Keywords, Local Search, Health Search, Trip Planning, Query Refinements, and Search by Numbers ...What is your favorite?
Synonym Search - If you want to search not only for your search term but also for its synonyms, place the tilde sign (~) immediately in front of your search term.
Currency Conversion - To use our built-in currency converter, enter the conversion you’d like done into the Google search box and your answer will display directly on the results page.
Fill in the Blank - Sometimes the best way to ask a question is to get Google to ‘fill in the blank’ by adding an asterisk (*) at the part of the sentence or question that you want finished into the Google search box.
Related Search - To search for web pages that have similar content to a given site, type “related:” followed by the website address into the Google search box.
As always, comments, recommendations +1s, and reaction check boxes are always appreciated.
In January 2012 the Subway Breakfast Sampling information passed through my social media feeds and I shared the information on a post through Google+, even my mom signed up. It was an offer available in selected areas of South Carolina, Charlotte, NC, Asheville, NC, Augusta, GA and surrounding areas from January 30 through February 4, 2012.
You visited the site , selected the Subway store, the breakfast sandwich, the day and time you wanted to visit the store and receive a breakfast sandwich and a cup of Seattle's Best coffee. You received a confirmation email and an option to add it to your calendar. You were given the choice to print the reservation and give it to the cashier or show the reminder on your smartphone. The day before the event I received an email reminder. I even received a text message reminder.
So on Saturday morning, February 4, we headed out to our local Subway. We arrived a few minutes early and there were no lights on in the store and my mom said, "Oh they are probably inside doing the prep work and will open on time". I verified that we were at the correct store via the text message, Google Maps, and the Gmail confirmation on my smartphone. At 0805 we pulled up to read the hours of the store and it was supposed to be open at 0800. I tried calling the store but only received a busy signal.
We decided to wait it out. About 0810, the Subway employee pulled up, jumped out of her car motioned for me to roll down my window and said, "Give me 15 minutes I am running late". A few more cars pull up and people are starting to stand out side the door. About 0815 the Subway employee opens the door. The first family orders, then she announces, "No steak, no tomatoes, and no coffee". We asked her where was her help and she said no one else comes in until 0930. Then we asked where was Mr. David Bell, the manager, and whose name was on the email confirmation, she shrugged her shoulders and kept working as she had 4 groups of customers. I told her I was going to call her boss, not to punish her but that we all expected on the last day of the promotion that the event would be implementing the lessons learned from the beginning (January 30) until today. A customer tapped me on the arm and said, "I think that is his phone number" as she pointed to a sign on the cash register. Of course when I called the phone call went straight to voicemail.
So in addition to this blog post, comment on the G+ post, I am also submitting Customer Feedback to the local store via the Subway store site.
I don't have a problem with Subway, I have a problem with the customer experience. In the end, the breakfast sandwich was not bad but businesses should not build up the customer expectation just to let them down during the experience. Maybe my next experience will be better? If you participated in the Subway breakfast promotion how was your experience?
One week ago, I saw something in my Twitter stream or Google+ stream of Knowledge Sharing Passionistas about the Innovator Academy.
The page opened with, "Join the movement! Digital skills are the key to making a difference in education. Part contest/part learning experience, the Innovator Academy will introduce educators to digital tools, people, and places that will inspire curriculum innovation. Sign up to be a part of the Academy online at http://www.innovatoracademy.com and then you will receive a weekly email that gives the first clue to a learning web scavenger hunt. The contest is free, no strings, no costs along the way - just a great way to learn and have fun at the same time.
I was catching up on email when the email from Innovator Academy came through. When I read it I figured I would respond but I certainly knew I wasn't first...but to my surprise a Google Alert prompted me to see why my name was on the net and this is what displayed:
So if you want to participate in the web scavenger hunt check out the Innovator Academy. The Currix Innovator Academy Scavenger Hunt takes place worldwide from Friday January 20, 2012 (01/20/12) to Sunday June 17, 2012 (06/17/12).
So what did I win?
This week's prize is a choice, a spot on the real Innovator Academy during ISTE 12 or a Wacom Bamboo Capture Tablet.
Follow Currix on Twitter or the hashtag #innovatoracademy
What is CLASS?
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award was launched in 2001 to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who remained committed to their university and pursued the many rewards that a senior season could bring.
Fan balloting counts for 1/3 of the total with the remaining 2/3 determined by NCAA Division I coaches and national media members. Please see the Selection Process section of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award website for more information. Voting ends February 8, 2012.
No registration required. Vote for Paul Goldsmith Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Goldsmith will graduate in May 2012 with a degree in sports management, physical education and health. More information about Paul on his page
I have known PJ since he was in elementary school and his mom and I were stationed in Alaska. I am proud to call her my friend, mentor, and one of the blessed breast cancer survivors. I wanted to do what I could to show PJ that I am also proud of everything he has accomplished.
Of course all of the students on the ballot deserve credit for their accomplishments and the positive impact in their digital portfolios. Congrats to all of the students for being nominated for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award!
Thanks in advance for your support!
We acquired our first networked computer in the house when my daughter started Kindergarten. Now her daughter, at 20 months, in this multigenerational household is exposed to a wireless network, gadgets and terminology such as smartphones, tablets, mobile devices, and laptops.
GGMa Flo who used a beeper during her career days and experienced Atari as the family game console, who didn't grow up with the Internet is now an Internet addict. My daughter who grew up with the technology as we shared many lessons learned from online school to teens tinkering with social media, implements security and privacy measures while sharing select information with her designated Internet connections. And the G-daughter who is growing up with everything Google and is the next generation gadget girl is exposing us all to the wonders of tech through a toddler's eyes.
And me...well I get to be the Network Manager, technogeek, still attempting to educate the end users to be mindful of the information they release and how to hit the F1 key to help themselves, and to tinker.
We use ebooks, multimedia books, Sesame Street and Disney Junior channels on YouTube, a shared Picasa album, Android and iPad apps for children, shared Google calendar for appointments, medicine, milestones, and special events.
The Department of Defense attempts to educate family members on OPSEC as they realized education was better than banning, so the Social Media hub was developed for all services to share Internet based capabilities policies, training and education sources. How are you influencing the family social media policy? How do you educate family users on security topics such as computer security, information security, operation security, personal security?
Some sites that may be of interest:
Free OPSEC training material from the OPSEC Professional's Association
US Army Social Media
US Army Online and Social Media Division Slideshare
