Computers and the internet are WONDERFUL resources... IF ya know how to find stuff. Here are some tips to assist computer/internet noobs that will help you to find the info you need.

NOTE: None of the searches I recommend are accessed by adding anything to your toolbar or by searching from the address bar of your browser. These are sites you visit, same as any other site, and then enter the terms you need into their search form. It is a good idea NOT to allow Google or any other site to add itself to your toolbar for security reasons. If a site suggests this, READ the questions it asks and tell it no.

• use a GOOD search engine
There are about a zillion search engines on the internet, but in reality only a few of them are worth the time it takes to use them. For everyday searches, ya can't beat Google http://www.google.com
Not only can you search the web for text, you can also search for images as well (and LOTS of other features).
When Google fails, try Dogpile http://www.dogpile.com
or Mamma, the Mother of all search engines http://www.mamma.com

• use relevant keywords & search terms
When doing a search, try to use terms that get to the heart of your question... for example, let's say you are trying to look for breeds of dogs with black tongues.
Using dogs as a search word will net you a ZILLION hits but little that answers your question!
Entering tongues doesn't get you there either...
BUT
trying dogs with black tongues will yield the most pertinent articles.

Sometimes, people become disenchanted with search engines because they contain too many hits that do not relate to their question, even some "adult" sites which you NEVER intended to hit. Your internet browser has settings that will allow you to filter out some of the "crud." Setting your browser to a medium or slightly higher security setting will help screen out most of the unrelated "junk" stuff.

• Search a site with the site's search tool
Before requesting information from busy forum members, try searching a site (this one or any other) with the search tool provided for that site. Not only can this save you and others a lot of time, you may locate responses from older posts that are like buried treasure! Old threads are deliberately left on this site so that members can access information as far back as our site goes in time... This is done for research purposes so that valuable knowledge is never lost even if the members who gave the information are no longer around.

Hope this helps - happy searching!

It also occurs to me that many members have not thoroughly explored this wonderful site for expert information. Besides the forum here, there are many many articles to read on nearly every subject pertaining to eldercare.

To see what is offered, go to the home page, and look to the right. Select your area of interest from the "channels." Each channel has many articles by different authors as well as pamphlets and books which can be ordered from ECO.

So when the forums are slow or you have a particular problem, give a look through the many, many articles written which are available right here at ECO.

Thanks MB, Good tips for me. I'll try some of these for my endless questions. I've been fooling around with advanced search options the past day or 2 and that has really helped narrow the hits for me.
Respectfully your's Bobcat