November 21, 2006

Hey, thanks for opening the email. We have some cool stuff to pass along and then we’re outta here. And remember, we’ll be sending you bits of our knowledge every two weeks including things we scout out that we think you’ll find useful.

Don’t forget to submit something to “Stump the Researcher!” It gives you a chance for some gratis research!

If you love stats like we love stats…

The Statistical Abstract of the United States sounds pretty darn boring, doesn’t it? Well, the government has been doing a comprehensive summary of statistics since 1878. You can find everything from pet ownership numbers to food and beverage stores – - number and sales by product lines to per capita consumption of major food commodities — to homicide trends. Truly, you will be stunned by the depth of information available here.

Small town blues.

You know those little teeny places that are hard to profile? Places like Beatrice, Nebraska. Population just over 12,000. And it’s pronounced [BE' at riss] and not like the girl’s name. But the point is, that if you wanted some fast, fast, fast info on Beatrice you should head over to ePodunk where you’d find out that it’s the Watershed Capital of Nebraska. (Okaaay…) And you’d also find out about the demographics, crime stats (25 violent crimes in 2003), well-known residents, local festivals, parks, attractions, historic sites, government info and lots more. Another feature that we think is way cool is geocaching & geography info for the area. (But we’re geeky like that.) ePodunk covers over 46,000 places. It’s neat and useful. Check it out.

And speaking of locations…. Enter any IP address and this sweet little search will map the location of the server for you. Cool. Courtesy of SEOMoz.

What do you want to know?

Not to be redundant, but just a reminder that you can spend more time focusing on your core job if you outsource your research to the experts (that would be us). End of shameless self promotion. Moving right along….

What do you want to learn?

What are you having trouble finding in that vast space we call the World Wide Web? Send us your wildest desires (research- related please!) and we’ll see what we can do in the next issue!

Send your request here.

Stump the Researchers.

Do you have a tough research question? And no budget? It happens to the best of us. If you aren’t in a screaming rush, then submit your question here. We’ll select the most interesting question and answer it in the next issue. Who says you can’t get something for nothing? (You just can’t get it tomorrow!)
Go ahead. Give it your best shot.

This issue’s Stump…
A loyal reader asks: I’m not allowed to download software at the office (and they won’t buy me what I want!). I regularly have the need to convert files from one format to another – like a pdf to a doc! Or a .wav to a mp3? You’re the researchers. Tell me what to do…please.

Just like the government, we’re here to help.

Only unlike the government, we mean it. Honestly. We want to be YOUR research department, your overflow. How’s that for an ambition? Talk to you again in two weeks!

Happy Thanksgiving,