Use Google to Search One Website

Right when you think you know everything, you learn something new. At least that's what happens to me. Yesterday, I learned how to restrict my Google searches to a particular site. This can be very handy when you know that you read something on the internet, and you are sure you know the name of the site, but you just can't find the article. The technique is also handy if you are wondering whether a particular website has covered a particular topic.

For example: let's say you're looking for an alternative to Quicken, because you're moving up to OS X Lion and you know that Quicken 2007 is not compatible with Lion. Let's say you hear somewhere that the website www.maclife.com did an article on the topic. You set out to look for it, using Google.

Here's what you get when you search for "alternatives to quicken maclife" using Google. It's not bad, but there is a lot of stuff here that isn't on www.maclife.com.

So now you try searching for "alternatives to quicken maclife.com" and while the results are better, they aren't restricted to articles on www.maclife.com. And maclife.com articles are all you're looking for this time.

Turns out there's a way to do what you want. What you do is put "site:" in front of the site you want to search.

Like this: alternatives to quicken site:maclife.com. You can put in www if you want. But you don't have to.

Works like a charm. Try it.

iPhone Goodies

Sorry to have been gone so long. I had a million things to write about and couldn’t decide which one to do first. You might call it a “blogjam.”

Today we have more in my short-yet-continuing series of Things I Like. Specifically, we have some iPhone applications. So here we go.

1. i.TV

It’s a TV guide on your iPhone. Incredible. Knows which services are in your area. Bring it with you when you visit Mom so you can know what’s on TV at her house. Free free free.

2. Gas Hound

Shows you where the nearest cheapest gas is. Once again, it knows where you are... so it shows you gas prices at Stations Near You. Very handy, and free free free.

3. Plusmo College Football

Everything you want to know about college football, including schedules, up to the minute scores, realtime play-by-play, rankings, news, everything. If you like college football you will love this application. Free.

4. 100 Words to Make You Sound Smart

I don’t know if this thing will really help you sound smart but it’s worth a try. As far as I’m concerned, if you are fastidious about avoiding euphemisms and equivocating, sounding smart is a fait accompli. Pay attention to the definitions lest you commit an esoteric faux pas fiasco.

(I think it’s working!)

This one’s also free.

New Apple Stuff, Today!

Actually, some of this stuff isn't really "new." It's more like "revised." But hey.

And most of this stuff wasn't in the stores today, though it will be in about a week. I found that out by visiting a few Apple Stores this afternoon, in search of a Magic Mouse. I'll get one, and when I do, I'll review it here. That looks to be about a week away.)

I couldn't find a new iMac (or a Magic Mouse) anywhere, but I did see the new MacBook at the Apple Store in Santa Monica and there are a few notable differences between this one and the one it replaces:

• It's shinier
• It has the no-button multi-touch trackpad, like the MacBook Pros
• There's no FireWire port at all
• The bottom has a no-slip texture coating on it (no rubber feet to fall off)
• 250 GB hard drive vs. 120 in the old one
• It has a longer-lasting battery
• Curvier shape (looks more like the MacBook Pros, though still on the plastic-y side)

Here are a few notable similarities between this machine and the one it replaces:

• Same $999 price
• Same 13 inch screen (1280 x 800 pixels)

All in all, it's better than the machine it replaces, but not wildly, fantastically better. If you want a new Mac laptop this is the cheapest way to go, and based on the specs it gives the $1199 13-inch MacBook Pro pretty good competition. Unless you can't live with a plastic laptop (or if you need a FireWire port) the new $999 MacBook looks like a better deal by far.

I'll write more about the new iMacs and Mac Minis when I get more information, but in the meantime here are a few nuggets of info:

• The Magic Mouse looks to be really, really cool. And every new iMac comes with one
• The Time Capsule, and the Airport, were updated today too (faster, and longer range)
• The new iMacs can take up to 16 gigs of RAM (4 gigs are standard)
• The 27-inch iMac is wall-mountable (and it's bigger than any TV my family has ever owned)
• The new iMacs come standard with a no-numeric-keypad wireless keyboard
• The new iMacs come with an SD card slot (for your camera card, unless your camera card isn't an SD)

(By The Way: It must be fun to announce a record-setting quarter on Monday, and then put out a whole slew of new products on Tuesday. I wonder what they'll do on Wednesday.)

(It must also be fun to put out a whole bunch of new stuff without any advance notice at all, and without making any big deal about it, as if this is something they do every day at Apple so it's hardly worth mentioning.)