Google Linux Search
18 August, 2009
I Google a lot. Just like millions of others, my short road to a quick answer on most any topic begins with the click of a browser icon, and the typing of a query into the search box. With the press of the search button, I am fractions of a second from enlightenment, as pages of answers splash across my screen.
As an everyday Linux user and programmer, I am constantly on the prowl for articles, new shiny applications, forums, distro updates, and the like. Most of all, like any regular computer user, I am always trying to streamline my processes. I've got iGoogle, complete with my favorite Linux and programming widgets and a fancy planet theme. I've got the Google Toolbar. I've got Google set as the default search provider in all my browsers. I'm all Googled-up, yet I still yearn for more Google customization. Enter Google Special Search.
With several different flavors to choose from, I can search within a specific realm of content. Of course, being a Linux junkie, I am immediately drawn to the Tuxified Google logo upon sighting. A few clicks later, and I am up to my chin in command line tips, security FAQs, sample C++ code, gnu this, gnu that, Linux Format articles, and a whole barrage of other goodies. Check it out for yourself!
Now of course, after the luster starts to wane, one begins to wonder, is Google Linux really necessary? Do I really need yet another Google product in my bookmarks? Why wouldn't I just use plain-old-Google to find "bash cheat sheets?" The answer, of course, lies in the vague searches. Sure, it may be easy to Google "Subversion documentation" in the vanilla Google search box, and get exactly what you were looking for. Now, try typing something more vague like "man" or "root" or even something like "root security" or "PAM."
| Google Special Search (Linux) vs. Regular Google Search | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phrase | Google Linux | |
| shutdown | shutdown | shutdown |
| man | man | man |
| tux | tux | tux |
| cron | cron | cron |
| microsoft | microsoft | microsoft |
| must have books | must have books | must have books |
| useful tool | useful tool | useful tool |
| puppy | puppy | puppy |
| cli | cli | cli |
| security | security | security |
| penguin | penguin | penguin |
| magazines | magazines | magazines |
| podcast | podcast | podcast |
| bash | bash | bash |
| pam | pam | pam |
| aptitude | aptitude | aptitude |
| su | su | su |
| root | root | root |
| cd | cd | cd |
Common Linux vernacular tends to result in something completely irrelevant when using standard Google Search methods. In many cases, you'll get only partially relevant content, with a bunch of junk you have to manually scroll past. Type these phrases into the Google Linux search box, and Tux's presence will ensure you get results in line with what you are actually looking for.
I find this tool to be indispensable to my daily Google routine. Never again will I being inundated with pictures of puppies while looking for small Linux distros! Now I can just type 'articles' in the box, and get real news, and not that cruddy CNN garbage from the real world. I can type all sorts of two and three-letter acronyms into the search box and actually get something besides stock charts and universities in the results.
While toying around with the search, I came up with the adjacent table of comparisons between the Google Linux and the Original Google. Take some it to check them out!
