May 2, 2007, Vol 1, Issue 13

We have the windows open, we’re feeling the joy of some long awaited nice weather. And with Spring Cleaning is on our minds, we think it’s time to replace some of the old, rusty research tools and techniques with some new and improved ones.

Every day, we are introduced to new online tools. Frankly, it’s a challenge to see why we should even bother with some of them. But then there are those bright, shiny ones that really stand out in. To us, they’re pretty nifty. We hope you’ll think so, too.

So check these out!

Slides.

We are constantly surprised by the willingness of people to share. Take Slideshare for instance.

This site was set up as a social network and community to share PowerPoint presentations. And, if you’re willing to wade through some pretty dry stuff, you can find some pretty cool, existing, recent research on big trends and companies.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you about the boring stuff!

Intermission.

Let’s all go to the lobby, let’s all go to the lobby….

Do you list on Craig’s List? Is there an ad of yours In the newspaper? If so, doesn’t it freak you out to have your phone number listed publicly? Call us paranoid, but it makes us take pause.

So check out Craigsnumber. You can get an auto-expiring, anonymous phone number. At no cost. None.

Hey, it would work for meeting new people on those dating sites, too. Not that we frequent those sites, mind you…

Post a note.

We think Short Text can be very useful. And it’s kind of neat. You type or cut and paste some text into the box and click “Create URL” and it will create a web page with a link, of course, that you can send someone.

Great if someone has free web browsing on a cell phone but pays for text messages. You can even for leave notes or reminders for yourself from remote locations. Such as, “Call Wendy with big, huge research project.” (Only joking… or are we?)

Best of all, it provides the option to “Make it private” in case you don’t want to share the information you post with everyone. You can lock it with a ‘key’ of your choice and give the URL and key to the people who are privy to this information.

Maybe we’ve been watching too many James Bond flicks, but we are intrigued.

Name that site.

Trying to think of a great URL for your client’s site? Here’s the easiest way we’ve found. PCNames. As you type, it tells you the options. Coolio.

Oh, but there’s more. Check their tools page. There’s a Word Search that looks at all domain names which contain a word, Domain Suggest which provides alternatives, and a neat Search-N-Replace option where you can find all registered domains containing word1, replace with word2, and show which are available.

We love time-savers.

Stump the Researcher.

A reader asks: Bits, bytes. I’ve never had the nerve to ask anyone what they really are. But since this is anonymous, what are they? Thanks in advance. Sincerely, Sam

Thanks Sam. If that is your real name… Not a silly question. We bet lots of people don’t know.

And submit your own question – send an email!
Click here for the answer. It’ll just take a minute.

Journals.

Have you seen The Directory of Open Access Journals. This service covers free, full text, quality controlled scientific and scholarly journals.

Their aim is to cover all subjects and languages. There are now 2,660 journals in the directory. Talk about ambitious!

So there you have it. A few of our recent finds fresh from our Internet tool shed. Who said Spring Cleaning has to involve closets and garages?

Carve out some time and discard outdated bookmarks and add some new ones. Now where did I see that “American Idol” fan site? Hmmm…

Until we meet again (in two weeks),