Phil Bradley - Internet Consultant. Internet search, web
design/optimization
Search by file format. Searching using file format is often
ignored, but it's actually a very powerful way of narrowing a search down and
getting more accurate information. This article explains in more
detail.
There are a number of different file formats that searchers can
use. Each will provide access to different types of
information.
Adobe Acrobat or .pdf Data that is often found in
this format is 'official' information - perhaps a company brochure or annual
report, a university prospectus, or a government white paper or discussion
document. It's usually used if an organisation wants to have their information
displayed in exactly the same format electronically as in the paper version. As
a result, if you need authoritative, official documents, facts, comments and so
on, this is a good way to restrict the search.
PowerPoint files or
.pptA lot of people will use PowerPoint presentations if they are training
for example. It's an easy and useful way to provide basic information for
delegates. It's also a way for a searcher to locate training materials,
tutorial data and so on. Great if you have to run your own course and are
looking for inspiration, or need an overview of a subject. A lot of speakers
at conferences will present their research or speeches in a PowerPoint format,
and this is often made available online after the conference. Therefore, if you
need to locate experts in an area, potential speakers, or just need to keep up
to date with developments in a particular subject area, limiting your search to
this format may well help you find what you need more quickly.
Excel
Spreadsheets or xls Spreadsheets are often used for providing access to
statistical or financial information. Need to find the population of an area?
GNP figures? Forget wading through pages of HTML; go straight to a search
engine and limit your results to the xls format!
Adobe PostScript
files or ps This is the worldwide standard for printing visually rich
documents. If you need data in a rich graphics format limiting a search to this
file type could be worth trying.
Rich Text Format or rtf This
format allows you to take data in an rtf format and import it into different
applications or operating systems such as between a pc and a mac. Useful if you
need data that you can then play around with and manipulate in a variety of
different ways (as long as you have permission, of course!).
Word or
doc Files in this format will often contain a great deal of useful
information in more depth and detail than you'll find on a web page. Download
the file, open it in Word or any other compatable word processor and print for
easier reading.
Corel WordPerfect or wpd files If for some
reason you don't use Word, limit your search to this format to easily import
the data into that package. Saves time reformatting!
If you have never tried limiting by file type, think laterally and give it a go. You may well find that your results are smaller, more accurate and better focussed!
