Chapter 10
Master the Web
Never before have humans been able to instantly access such a vast repository of information in their households as we do today with the World Wide Web. That storehouse of information (and misinformation) grows by leaps and bounds every day. With the proliferation of publishing tools such as blogs, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as capture devices such as smartphones and digital cameras, anyone can publish online, and millions do.
But that kind of information access is useless unless you can hone your searching, filtering, and researching skills. Mastering your web browser, quickly navigating engines and indices, and judging the quality and authority of sources are all skills everyone who uses the Web to their advantage needs. In effect, on the Web, you are your own personal research librarian.
Memorizing facts is less important than the capability to look them up quickly. The Web acts as the outboard memory of millions of people that you both depend on to have the information you need and contribute to when you have information to share. But how do you fashion a query that quickly and accurately extracts those facts from the endless virtual shelves of information, and how do you produce information that successfully answers one?
This chapter’s hacks provide tips, tricks, and shortcuts for searching and navigating the Web, customizing your web browser for an optimal experience, and sharing and publishing information about yourself and your area of expertise ...
