There was a time when finding resources involved many steps:  researching in the yellow pages, making phone calls to find the right department, going in person only to be told that this was not the right place to be.  We may have called and asked sites to send out information, which could take days and may not be entirely up to date.  Most of us remember these days.

Now, the answers can be found via technology.  We can access websites via the computer, drill down to what we really need, and see it right away, in real time.  If it is not enough, we can continue to search.  We can find physical addresses and phone numbers as well, making the yellow page task a distant memory.

This class is about resources.  We will point you to some relevant ones, and provide tools for finding others.  And we will look at the web browsers for information on how to keep track of what you are finding.  We will show you what to do when you have your resources and how to save them on the browser or the computer desktop.

This will be a very useful class for starting the new year!

Finding resources online requires some detective skills.

Of course, the simplest solution is to query your smart assistant.  You might ask Alexa to find information on social security or food safety.  This method will probably provide some basic information and a link to a website for more information.  The smart assistants are best for very simple, factual questions, but not great at drilling down to a more nuanced answer.

Your next option is Google.  We will spend some time looking at Google search and discuss how to fine-tune your search results and better reach your best source.

But, as we learned about last week, there is always AI.  AI can be in the form of a simple search on Bing, and will provide an answer based on the possible solutions found on the websites.  You will get a list of the websites used in the search so you can go to the site to learn more.

Finally, there is the generative text abilities of ChatGPT.  You can go to ChatGPT and ask for a list.  You can include the parameters of what you are looking for (the name, a description and a website).  For a lesson on resources, this can provide the most in depth answers.  It is what was used to create the list of resources included in this lesson.

Most of us have asked Siri or Alexa for help in the past, only to be disappointed that they were less than useful.  There are tricks and tips which can help you to better communicate your questions for a better answer.  Here are some suggestions:

• Be Specific with Your Queries: Voice assistants work best with specific, clear queries. Specificity helps to provide more accurate and relevant information.

• Use Natural Language: Speak to Siri or Alexa as you would to a person, which helps in understanding the context and intent of your query.

• Keep It Concise: While natural language is good, overly long or complex sentences can confuse voice assistants. Keep your requests concise and to the point.

• Follow Up with More Questions: If the initial answer isn't quite what you were looking for, you can ask follow-up questions. 

• Use Keywords Effectively: Just like searching on a web browser, using the right keywords can yield better results. Think about the most important words related to your query and include them in your request.

• Correct Misunderstandings Promptly: If the assistant misunderstands your question, correct it right away to avoid going down a rabbit hole of irrelevant information.

Remember privacy: Be mindful of privacy when asking questions. Avoid sharing sensitive personal information in your queries.

Launced in 1998 by Stanford students, Google search has grown to over 8 billion searches a day.  Google has had some major changes in the way it works.  Google now supports an AI chatbot called Bard, which is designed to complement and enhance Google search.  You can search using Google (for the basic web search) or Bard (for the AI capabilities).  Some of the tips to improve your search with Bard include:

• Be Specific in Your Queries: Just like with traditional Google searches, being specific helps the AI understand exactly what you're looking for. Use clear, concise terms that directly relate to your topic of interest.

• Utilize Keywords Effectively: Identify the most important words related to your search topic and include them in your query. Keywords are crucial for guiding the AI towards the relevant information.

• Phrase Your Questions Clearly: Since AI like Bard is designed to understand natural language, phrase your questions as if you were asking another person. This helps in getting more precise and relevant answers.

• Use Advanced Search Operators: See below for some ideas on advanced search options

• Experiment with Different Query Formats: Try out different ways of asking your question or presenting your search terms. This can include full questions, keywords, or a combination of both.

• Leverage Contextual Information: If your search is related to recent events or specific contexts, include that in your query. AI tools like Bard can interpret the context to provide more relevant results.

• Use Feedback Mechanisms: If Bard or other AI features are integrated into your search, they might offer options to provide feedback on the usefulness of the information provided. Use these to improve future search results.

• Voice Search Optimization: If you're using voice search features, speak clearly and naturally. Voice queries might differ slightly from typed searches, so adjust your approach accordingly.

Keep in mind that there are limits of AI: Recognize that AI, while powerful, may not always provide perfect results. It's based on algorithms and data, and its responses might not always reflect the most current or nuanced understanding of a topic.  Also, as always, don't rely on a single source.  Check multiple search results for best results.

And be aware of privacy and security: Remember that your queries are often stored and could be used for data analysis or advertising purposes

Copilot now has the DALL-E 3 search engine, which can produce an image based on text that you provide.  And soon it will let you combine text and image for an improved search experience.

But the biggest upgrade in this domain is Deep Search, which breaks down a simple search query into multiple directions and presents relevant answers for each one so you do not have to continue with subsequent search steps.

Microsoft tells us that it is not an alternative to a traditional web search, it is instead a complementary system that tries to ask relevant questions based on your initial one.  So if you ask for a nearby coffee shop, you may be provided with additional information on the top coffee shops in the area, menus, directions and more.

Don't forget about your new resource, ChatGPT.  Discussed in last week's lesson, it provides quick and sometimes accurate answers.  But again, be aware of known issues such as:

• Privacy

• Accuracy

• Bias

• Use of data

Bookmarks:  

Each browser comes with its own type of bookmarking. Here is some basic information on all browsers, and then an up-close look at four web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari) and how to access their bookmarking capabilities.

Basic information for all browsers:

• All browsers allow bookmarking

• Bookmarks are kept on the browser.  So, bookmarks that you have set up in Chrome will not be seen in Edge.

• For most bookmarks, they can be found in the "Bookmark" folder and "Other" folder.  You may choose to see or hide the bookmarks in settings.

• You can add folders to Bookmarks and Other.  This is recommended for better results.

• You can manage bookmarks in Bookmark manager, found in settings>Bookmarks>Bookmark manager

• You can also import bookmarks from another browser by going to settings>Bookmarks>Import bookmarks and settings

Shortcut on computer 

Or you can create a shortcut on your computer or your phone.

SanDiegoCounty.gov

This is a go-to spot for all things San Diego.  On this site, you can find information on San Diego County services, news, departments and even a link to find my favorite app, the SD Emergency App.  (More on that in a bit).  The site is arranged into categories like Departments, “I want to”, Government, Residents, Business and Jobs. 

AlertSanDiego

 ReadySanDiego.org is the computer version, and SDEmergency is the app.  Both of these will keep you informed of all things which can impact your safety, including fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding and more.  This site sends you notifications on your phone and your computer.  It provides valuable information on where to go and what to do if there is an emergency.  On this site you can follow the steps on what your family would do in a disaster.?  Games for the kids which lead to emergency preparedness activities.  Information on pets, schools and churches during a disaster.  Maps of emergencies, hazards, adverse weather and more. It also contains quick links to the San Diego County Emergency site (notifications, updates, maps, etc.) and San Diego County Recovery (what to do following a disaster to get back on your feet).  Having experienced our shares of disasters (wildfires, floods, earthquakes), this site can be life changing when disaster strikes.  Get familiar with this site.  AND:  Don't forget to download the SD Emergency app (all app stores) and allow notifications.  

211SanDiego

You may be aware that you can dial 211 24 hours a day for information on community, health, social and disaster services.  The call is free, confidential and available in more than 200 languages.  It provides access to over 6,000 services, resources and programs.  It can also be access online, by going to 211sandiego.org.   Scrolling down, you can see the various categories of help.  Each of these will take you to another page of resources.  For example, when looking at senior-resources, I can find a large number of programs and services for older adults including daily living, to education, employment, financial, healthcare and housing and so much more.  This site is an example of how one resource can point you to any number of other resources, most not related.  Note:  This site uses a database called CIE.  It is a model for other communities in the country, and a great way to pool all options. 

Aging and Independence Services of San Diego (AIS)

Ok, so this is connected to SanDiegoCounty.gov.  But the AIS section of their website is chock full of information on aging resources.  They have a phone number if you are not able to access the site.  The resources on this page may be similar to 211, but you might see a few unique offerings.  In fact, shout out to the Feeling Fit Club, the brainchild of AIS.  This is an exercise program designed for older adults. 

This is a lot of information.  Use the tips provided to find your own resources, evaluate for reliability and keep track of them in your favorite way.  There is no excuse not to find the information that you need when you need it.  So, search away!