The search field in Safari toolbar is a very direct way to seek information on the Internet using Google. Safari also makes it possible to launch a search on any selected text on a Web page (Control-click). But did you know that it can do more than just list pages corresponding to your search ? Safari search field also makes it possible to obtain numerical conversion and calculation result, words definition, numerical information (parcels numbers, area codes), along with many more options for your search (target this search on only one site or search for a type of document for example).

Calculator

Calculator offered by Google makes it possible to carry out simple calculations or even more complex ones, including constants for example. You only need to enter your formula or calculation in Safari search field and press Return. 2*pi*10 will give you 62.8318531. Finally, multiple numerical conversions are possible, and those might also be useful for receipes. You can read many examples as well as Google’s instructions to know more about the calculator.

Dictionnairy

Useful while reading a text that contain a word we don’t know. You only need to add define: before the word you want to check. define: google

Search options

Site search (limit your search to a single site)

While some sites doesn’t include their own search field, it is possible to show search results for only a specific site in Safari. You need to add site: with the address of the site before your search. site:latourfl.com Safari will give you these results.

Search for a specific file type

If you are looking for a specific document on the Web (e.g. a PDF form), then you can precise this in the search field. You only need to add filetype: followed by the file type. Safari filetype:PDF. You can read more on this feature directly from Google.

Various numerical information

Google known how to seek following information:

• UPS alignment numbers
• FedEx alignment numbers
• USPS alignment numbers
• Vehicle ID (WINE) numbers
• UPC codes
• Telephone area codes
• Obvious numbers
• FAA airplane
• FCC equipment IDs

Finally, you’ll find more info on all these options on Google.

Tags: google, numerical conversion, pdf, reading, search, text, toolbar

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 31st, 2004 at 2.10 pm and is filed under Safari. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.