While the course is pretty easy, there is some new stuff. I found one new keyword I did not use before (intext). Some of the basics I used to ignore are emphasized (word order, junk words). And the 6 degrees of separation exercise was fun, if not overly useful.
Yep. I expect some more useful, not-widely-known search tips to come at the last class.
Daniel Russell is doing a free Google class on how to search the web. Besides six 50-minute classes it will include interactive activities to practice new skills. Upon passing the post-course assessment you get a Certificate of Completion.
Advanced search skills are not only a useful everyday skill but vital to doing scholarship. Searching the web is a superpower that would make thinkers of previous centuries green with envy. Learn to use it well. I recommend checking out Inside Search, Russel's Blog or perhaps reading the article "How to solve impossible problems" to get a feeling about what you can expect to gain from it.
I think for most the value of information is high enough to be worth the investment. Also I suspect it will be plain fun. I am doing the class and strongly recommend it to fellow LessWrong users. Anyone else who has registered please say so publicly in the comments as well. :)
Registration is open from June 26, 2012 to July 16, 2012.