Use: " "
What it does : searches for an exact phrase
What to type: "one small step for mankind"
What you'll get: results that include the exact phrase "one small step for mankind"

Use: -
What it does: excluseds search results with a particular word or phrase
What to type: bass - fishing
What you'll get: results about bass that are not related to fishing

Use: ~
What it does: searches for a word and all it's synonyms
What to type: ~ mobile phone
What you'll get: results with the word "phone", as well as "cell", "cellular", "wireless", etc.

Use: OR
What it does: searches for webpages that include either word
What to type: vaction London OR Paris
What you'll get: results with the word "vacation" and either London or Paris

Use: ...
What it does: searches for a range of numbers
What to type: Willie Mays 1950...1960
What you'll get: results about Willie Mays during this time period (1950 - 1960)

Use: define:
What it does: defines a word or phrase
What to type: define: plethora
What you'll get: links to definitions of the word "plethora"

Use: site:
What it does: searchs only particular websites
What to type: global warming site: edu
What you'll get: references to global warming found on .edu websites

Use: link:
What it does: searches for webpages that link to a particular website
What to type: link: www.umich.edu
What you'll get: websites that link to the University of Michigan website

Use: 1+1 (Math answers search)
What it does: basic calculation functions
What to type: 4+7, 30% of 55, 20^2, sqrt (4), etc.
What you'll get: the answer to the math calculation you enter

Use: cm in foot (Conversions)
What it does: converts unit of measure
What to type: cm in foot, 28C in F, $ in pound, days in fortnight, miles in league, mph in speed of light, etc.
What you'll get: the converted answer

Poster with these tips found here:

http://www.google.com/librariancenter/downloads/Tips_Tricks_85x11.pdf

WMW