For Students: Block Wikipedia Entries While Researching with Google

Much like my Opening Windows search engine for Firefox, this one allows students to research through Google without running into take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt Wikipedia entries.

1. Paste the following code into Notepad:
   <search
   name=”Google -Wikipedia”
   method=”GET”
   action=”http://www.google.com/search”
   queryCharset=”utf-8″
   ><input name=”q” user>
   <input name=”-” value=”wikipedia”>
   </search>
2. 2. Save the file as “google-wikipedia.src” in C:\Program Files\Mozilla
   Firefox\searchplugins (and be sure to select All Files from the
   drop-down, or else it will be saved as google-wikipedia.src.txt).

That’s it! Now, restart Firefox and start searching Wikipedia-free from your Firefox search bar.

NOTE: There have been some issues with the code. If Firefox rejects it, try replacing all of the backwards quotes with normal quotes. That should fix any issues.

Cut Your Browsing Time with Google Reader

Google has some pretty interesting webapps out there, but I personally believe that the best one is Google Reader. Instead of trying to piece together your virtual newspaper everyday by hopping around to twenty different sites, Reader brings it all to you via the power of RSS: real simple syndication. Granted, there are many other RSS readers out there. But Reader has one of the best interfaces I have seen. It’s also much more intuitive than other readers. I especially like how easy it is to use Reader to subscribe to podcasts. There is a built-in audio player as well as links to the original files. Also useful are Reader’s Star and Share features. Starring posts allow you to easily keep them for later reference. And clicking the “Share” button adds them to your public Google Reader page, a URL that you can give out to your friends so that they can keep track of your favorite stories. Google Reader also works easily with the Firefox address bar RSS button. Just click the button and choose Google Reader from the drop-down list. If you cannot find what you are looking for just by browsing the Web, Google also provides subscription packages, recommendations and a feed search tool.

Read more at the Official Google Reader Blog.