Internet Explorer with JAWS part 3.

Surfer dude catching a big wave animation .

Googling with JAWS.

The Google search engine is a virtual data base of most Web pages available on the internet. In this part of the tutorial, we'll cover some tips and tricks for Googling. We'll also learn a few useful Internet Explorer tools including how to use the IE Favorites list from the keyboard.

To open the Google Web page:

  1. Open the address bar dialogue box with Ctrl O.
  2. Type "google.com".
  3. Press Enter

When the Google page opens, the focus should directly move to the edit box. Remember to press Enter first, to turn forms mode on, type a search term, then press TAB to move to the Submit button, Or, simply press Enter.

The Google page will then refresh, listing the available search results based on the search terms you have enterred.

This list of Web results consists of links. conveniently each of these links are also headings. This means we can easily move through the list of Web results by pressing the letter H JAWS quick Key.

These headings are the Web page titles and are, direct links to specific Web pages. Pressing Enter, therefore, will open that speicific Web page.

Often times we will want to know a little more about the Web page before we go ahead and activate the link. Arrow down to preview some text from the Web page, which should contain the search term you enterred.
If after doing so, it seems as though the information there in might be relevant, move back up to the link and press Enter.

Search string strategies.

The search terms we type into the Google search edit box, are also referred to as search strings. In essence, we are typing the words we hope to see reflected on a Web page.

Search strings are divided by commas. For example, if we are looking forinformaition about the Babylon by Bus CD from legendary reggae music recording artist Bob Marley, we could type the following text in the Google search edit box:
Bob Marley, Babylon by Bus, CD

Notice that the artist's name, the title of the CD, and the word CD, are separated by commas. This in effect creates 3 search strings.

If we had not used commas, the Google search engine would look for Web pages with the exact phrase Bob Marley Babylon by Bus CD. With the commas in place, the search engine will know to look for Web pages with any of the search strings throughout a given Web page. In other words, it broadens our possibility for applicabal Web page results. Remember, we are hoping to match our search terms reflected on a Web page.

If for some reason, we misspell a word, Google will often recognize the error and display a link with the correct spelling. This link will be preceeded by the words, "Did you mean?"
Activating the link with the correct spelling will resubmit the search query, most likely with better results.

Using our example, if we had typed Bib Marley, Babylon by bus,Google would offer a "Did you mean?" link.

Depending on the topic you are researching, you may have to experiment with word combinations or rethink more applicable terminology to suit the search.
If we were looking for information about the life of Bob Marley, we could type the following:
Bob Marley, biography

In this case using the 2 search strings, Bob Marlye + biography, we will get better results than if we had simply typed Bob Marley.

A final thought on Google search strategies before we move along, is to include specific details in your search string if it will help narrow your search. For example, if you are looking for the phone number for the local pet food store, be sure to include your local area code as a search string. As well, if you are looking for the price of that Bob Marley CD, you can use symbols such as the $ (dollar sign).

Google preferences.

You can change the number of Google Web search results that are listed by following the "preferences" link, located on the Google search page.
the numbered links beneath the last shown Web search result, are for the next series of related links. for example, link 2 will open the second page of related Web search results, link 3 will open the 3rd page, and so on.

Internet Explorer Tools

Now is a good time to review a few useful Internet Explorer Tools.

IE Keyboard Shortcut Commands.

Keystroke. Function.
Alt Leftarrow. Loads previously opened Web page.
Alt Rightarrow. Loads next open Web page.
Alt Home. Opens your Home page.
Alt A. Opens list of your favourite Web sites.

Think of the Alt Leftarrow and Alt Rightarrow keystrokes, as flipping forward and backward through a book. In a sense, we are browsing Web pages. The Alt Home keystroek, opens your home page, kind of like going back to the first page in a book.

Bookmarking favourites.

When you come across a Web page that you especially enjoy or want to revisit at some point in the future, you can add it to your "Favorites" list for easy access.
To add a Web page to your Favorites list:

  1. While on the Web page, press Alt A.
  2. Press Enter twice. The Web page will now be added to your Favorites list.

To open a Web page bookmarked in your Favorites list:

  1. Press Alt A.
  2. Arrow Up or Down to the desired Web page and then press Enter.

Think of your Favorites as presets on your radio. The names assigned to each Web page favorite, is based on that Web page title. You can rename the title of the favorite if you so desire.

To rename a Favorite:

  1. open the Favorites list, with Alt A. and then move to the listing of the favorite.
  2. Pres the Applications key.
  3. Arrow Up to "rename", and press Enter
  4. Type the new title for that favorite, and then press Enter.