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Book:   Google: The Missing Manual
Subject:   Very Comprehensive
Date:   2009-05-21 10:11:12
From:   JD
Rating:  StarStarStarStarStar

This book does a great job of covering topics ranging from how to use Google (and Gmail), how to be recognized by Google, and how to utilize Google offerings such as adwords and analytics.


The book is spilt into 4 general categories:


Using Google For Searching
Goolgle Tools
Information For Webmasters
Using Gmail


The searching section is very in-depth. Different types of searches, things that can be searched, and items besides web pages are all covered. I appreciated the short section describing when alternatives to Google work betters as well (although Google is still the search king).


Google tools covers images, maps, news, directory and print plus groups, answers, shopping, and the Google Toolbar.


The webmaster section is for those looking to have their site noticed by Google or not noticed. The second was an interesting addition. Most books cover how to get Google to see your site much more than how to keep from being seen. Google ads are also covered in-depth.


The section on GMail was some of the most interesting topics.


Overall I give the book an "A" and it is very conprehensive. To get the "A+", I would like to have seen additional coverage on the Google API.



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"One of the beauties of the Missing Manuals is that there is always something new to discover and the research is quite thorough...I kept finding snippets of information, in the way of Tips or Notes, that would give just that bit extra."
--Graham K. Rogers, Bangkok Post