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Search.com : Computing Guide

How to get the best results from Search.com's Computing channels

On this page: Tips for finding General info · Tech support · Games · Downloads · Reviews & prices

General info
If you're researching a tech topic or looking for a variety of resources related to a product — your Palm PDA, for example — search on the main page of our Computing channel for results from CNET's network of technology sites as well as other tech sites from around the Web. Here's a sample search on palm:

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CNET Network Search	Other Tech Sites

For more specific searches, you can choose one of the specialized Computing channels on the bottom of the main page:

	Computing Channels

Consumer Electronics

Downloads

Gaming

Hardware

Linux

Software

Tech Support

Web Development

Read on for tips on how to get the best results from these channels.

Tech help now!
Wrestling with an ornery computer? Don't bother with the 800 number — search online knowledgebases and professional discussion groups and resolve your glitch in minutes. Our Tech Support channel will run your query through company support databases at Microsoft and Netscape, as well as tech help discussions at Deja, CNET, and Ziff-Davis. For example, you can enter a single query to find some advice on a Soundblaster sound card, like this:

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Knowledgebases	Discussion

Games - play to win
Use metasearch intelligence to get ahead of the average gamer. The Gaming channel can keep you up to speed on your favorite game with news, downloads, and tricks from online authorities like DailyRadar, Gamebot, and Games Domain. To find out more about the game Crazy Taxi, for example, you might start by selecting the Gaming Resources category and searching on crazy taxi. Or, if you're already a fan, you could select Game Pricesand Tips and Cheats to find out where you can purchase it online and pick up some tips and cheats at the same time, like this:

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Gaming Resources Download Games Tips and Cheats	Game Reviews Game Prices Play Online Games

Downloads - instant gratification
Looking for free software, music, or pictures? Check out the Downloads channel. Find freeware, shareware, or demos for popular software in the Web's top download archives, like CNET Downloads, Jumbo, and HotFiles, and Tucows by selecting the Shareware checkbox before you do your search. Or do a search for music and pictures with the MP3 and Images options selected. Here's what we found when we looked for Beatles music and pictures:

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Shareware Images	MP3 Linux Software

Reviews & prices
If you're looking to buy a tech product, The Hardware, Software, and Consumer Electronics channels allow you metasearch product reviews and ratings along with current prices from independent vendors like McGlen Micro, CDW, Insight, and more. Buying a digital camera? If the Sony Mavica sounds good, try this Hardware metasearch to get reviews and prices:

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Hardware Reviews	Hardware Prices

More tips

Web Developers - stop wasting your time in general Internet search engines. Use Search.com's Web Development channel to find expert answers to complex professional questions, like What are CSS standards? and How do I work with layers?
Linux users - Find everything you need for your favorite OS with our Linux channel. Try a Linux news query to see what Linus has been up to, or get answers to your questions about Linux security, software, documentation, discussion, and news.

Now you're ready to search the Computing channel!

Questions? Comments? Send us feedback!

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