Using google - easy stuff

Google search has become so pervasive in today's society it has literally become synonymous with search.

Working as a techie it's darn near impossible to know everything, so a good deal of my day is dedicated to finding the answer.

I've come up with a couple searches that I've found very useful for the everyday user that I have partly discovered by accident and partly by using Google to learn how to search (i know...)

Finding area code, example: "425" - this is my area code, but very useful if you need to find it

Find a zip code, example: "kirkland wa zip code" - how to find the zip code for kirkland, wa

Find the time in a foreign city, example: "time in shenzhen china" - very useful when my wife was traveling for work

Find flight status, example: "alaska airlines flight 62" - brings up flight status for alaska airlines flight 62

Find phone number, example: "555-555-5555" - if this call came in and i didn't know who it is

Currency conversion, example: "360 us dollars in rmb" - figure out how much yuan = $360

Stock Value, example: "goog" - current value and history of Google's stock

Word definitions, example: "define:cumulus" - definition of cumulus or any word

Weather, example: "weather bothell wa" - find what the current weather and forecast

Calculator, example: "25 divided by 5" - do basic and advanced math

Track a package, example: "tracking number" - quickly track a fedex or ups package


Here are some links for my sources and other resources for using google:

- http://www.mapelli.info/tips/ultimate-google-search-tips-guide
- http://techtracer.com/2008/01/06/10-most-amazing-google-search-tricks/
- http://lifehacker.com/339474/top-10-obscure-google-search-tricks
- http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/1264/12-Quick-Tips-To-Search-Google-Like-An-Expert.aspx
- http://www.googleguide.com/
- http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=134479