Ask HTG: Searching Within Websites, Google Play Alternatives, and Getting Started with Dual Booting

Once a week we round up some of the reader letters we?ve answered and share the advice with everyone. This week we?re looking at how to search within web sites, downloading apps from places other than Google Play, and getting started with dual booting operating systems.

How Can I Find an Article I Forgot to Bookmark?

Dear How-To Geek,

I saw an article on HTG a few months ago that covered how to build your own high-gain projector screen. I didn?t bookmark it and now I?m having trouble finding it? Would mind sharing the link with me? Thanks!

Sincerely,

Home Theater Builder

Dear Home Theater,

First, the link you?re looking for is to this article: DIY High-Gain Projector Screen Combines Latex Paint and Sand Blasting Beads. Second, the easiest way to find an article on HTG, or any other website you?d like to search within, is to use a little search hack in your Google search query. By searching for ?site:sitename.com your search terms? you can restrict your search to just that web site. To find the link for you, we simply plugged in ?site:howtogeek.com beads projector? and the article you were looking for was the first result.

The site: trick is a great way to find articles and information when you know you saw it on a specific web site but you don?t want to go digging through that site?s archives to find it!

Where Can I Go for Android Apps Beside Google Play?

Dear How-To Geek,

Maybe I?m being an old techo-grump, but I?m not particularly enamored with the new Google Play (previously Android Market). Is there another venue to check out Android Apps? I know I?ll still end up at Play for a lot of things, but I?m interested in looking at other places I can grab apps.

Sincerely,

Techo-Grump

Dear Techno-Grump,

Unlike iOS devices that required jailbreaking to access third-party app markets, it?s pretty easy on Android. All you need to do is turn on the ability to install apps from non-Market sources and then hit up some of those sources like Amazon?s Appstore, GetJar, etc. Check out our full article on Android Market/Google Play alternatives here.

What Do I Need to Know to Get Started with Dual Booting?

Dear How-To Geek,

I?ve never dual booted before, but I think it would be fun/educational to start doing it. I?m currently running Windows 7 and would like to dual boot to other operating systems so I can try them out without giving up the OS I?m comfortable with. I have no idea where to start?

Sincerely,

Dual Boot Dreaming

Dear Dual Boot,

Although dual booting seems foreign to you now, we assure you with a little reading and playing around you?ll wonder why you didn?t start sooner. We?d highly suggest checking out this roundup of our best dual-boot articles including How to Dual Boot Windows 7 and 8 Without Re-Partitioning (Using VHD). You?ll also find tips on?dual-booting Windows and Linux.

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Have a pressing tech question? Shoot us an email at ask@howtogeek.com and we?ll do our best to answer it.

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