Better Search Phrases

Terminology

Normie

Someone whose tastes, lifestyle, habits, and attitude are mainstream in a particular field or topic.

Expert/Superstar/Hotshot

Someone who is dazzlingly skilled or knowledgeable in a particular field or topic.

Jargon

Special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.

What makes you so special?

(Seriously)

Think of a topic/field/profession in which:

• you would consider yourself an expert;
• your classmates would probably consider themselves a "normie";
• you can dazzle most others with jargon they wouldn't understand.

You will be sharing this topic in a group discussion later.

Why is search important?

• Your learning will live and die on your ability to find high quality resources;
• There's always a new tool/technology/framework to learn (and also someone to teach it);
• It's rare that a problem hasn't already been solved (and shared) by someone else;
• Devs are lazy and don't want to memorize anything.

Why is search difficult?

• High quality search results require high quality search terms;
• You won't know these terms as a beginner;
• Resources become outdated quickly.

Quality Searches

Effective search phrases are usually:

1. Concise: Normally 1-4 words long
   • Exception: Copy/pasting an error
2. Domain-specific: Terms that are used within a specific industry and not in general usage by "normies"
3. Qualified: Qualifying terms further filter the results based on:
   • the skill level of the searcher
   • the specific goal of the searcher
   • a desired source of information

Concise search phrases

Less is more

• The more words you use, the more you dilute meaning;
• Typing is tedious, do less of it;
• All you need is that perfect word, but first you need to find it...

More Terminology

Domain-specific Terminology

A domain-specific term for jaron.

Search qualifiers

Terms that help the search engine narrow your results.

Nerdier terms

(Use with caution)

Folder → directory → project root → repository → repo

Photo → image → high-frequency raster image

Web address → URL → Top-level domain → TLD

Activity: What's your jargon?

In groups of 3 or 4, and taking turns:

1. Share an obscure hobby/topic/profession/etc with the group;
2. For the normies:
   • What terms do you know about the domain?
3. For the expert:
   • What domain-specific terms you can teach?
4. Did anyone find a new friend to nerd out with?

Qualifying terms

A domain-specific term will still return many results that might not be focused enough to solve your problem:

• Looking for tutorials?

  node for beginners
  node getting started
  node examples

• Use nerdy terms for nerdy results. Are the results different between these terms?

  css docs
  css specs

Example Searches

How would you rate the following search phrases?

• Were any words specific to the industry of web development? What are they?
• How many words are used?
• What is the skill level of the searcher? What problem might they be solving?
• How would do you identify high quality results?

"How do I build a web site?"

"Why isn't my CSS doing anything?"

"web development"

"html crash course"

"js architecture patterns"

"[your fave browser] devtools"

"most underrated string methods"

Identifying high quality results

Good resources:

• Are current (does the resource have a date?);
• Provide sample code;
• Have video chapter markers;
• Come from a trusted source;
  • Pro-tip: prepend your favourite content creator to find results from that person/site:

    mdn fat arrow

• Are easy to find again. What search term would you use to find a favourite result in the future?

Convergent vs Divergent Searching

• Convergent:
  • There is probably one answer to your problem
  • Example:
    • What's the forecast for tomorrow?
• Divergent:
  • There could be many answers to your problem
  • You're doing general research
  • Example:
    • What's an alternative to Netflix?
    • Finding inspiration for a logo design

Divergent searches

with Suggestions

Google (or whatever) Suggestions

1. Enter a domain-specific term in your search bar but DON'T hit enter:

   js loop

2. Wait for Google to show completion suggestions
3. Pick a Suggestion to learn something new about that concept.

"Verses" searches

• Add "vs" after a tool, concept, term.
• Dig deeper by "verses searching" each of the suggested terms

Activities: Divergent searching

• Use Suggestions to find a new domain-specific term you didn't know before;
• Try "verses" searches to find alternative to a tool you use everyday.