Google allows for the use of OR.

Thank goodness too. It almost makes up for the fact that Google get so confused with plurals.

Using it is fairly simple OR simplistic. You just need to include a "couple words" OR "several words" in your search query.

As an aside, this reminds me of the words to an Australian commercial promoting the use of movie ratings. "I like 'M'. I think you will like 'M' too. 'M' (for mature audiences only) has much to offer."

So, I get to say to you; "I like 'OR'. I think you will like 'OR' too. 'OR' has much to offer."

I am a little disappointed that I knew so little about the Google OR until recently. What I prefer to focus on, though, is that thanks to all the time I spent learning library science, and in understanding how elements of library science can be applied in internet research, I immediately knew how to apply OR, and have since made use of OR very effectively. Once I knew it existed, I knew how to apply it, and when and why.

The bridge between library science and internet research is especially productive. It extends to ideas and concepts about what research is, and where internet research will eventually lead us. I like to think it is about the thrill of the hunt. Questing for information.

I've only recently seen the future, and I am now convinced internet research and information research will merge into a single discipline within a few years, thanks largely to a few facets of the internet not yet evident.

This vision is not native to internet research. Until recently, internet research was a computer field - a technical field. We'd focus on working with information like a computer does. Search by keyword. Trust the search engines to bring the best information to the top. Listen to slogans about tibetan monks doing searches, and how meta-search engines search 'more' of the web. (That last one always makes me noxious.)