Internet Research

Specialized Tools

Specialized Tools

• Sometimes search engines are too big for your research needs.

• Specialized tools include: • People finders• Email locators • Reverse phone directories • Mapping tools • Yellow page directories

People finders

• People finders usually provide listed phone numbers from around the nation and world.

• www.anywho.com• www.switchboard.com• www.theultimates.com/white• www.worldpages.com

Email locators

• Some services specialize in email addresses.

• The Internet Address Finder at www.iaf.net

• WED – The World Email Directory:

• http://worlde-mail.com

Reverse directories

• Most people finders and email locators have reverse directories.

• These can search “in reverse” – if you have a phone number or email address, they will locate the name of the person.

Expert finders

• Many times you will need to find experts and authorities on varied topics.

• Specialized subject directories, such as Argus can help: www.clearinghouse.com

• The Foundation for American Communications, a journalism organization, keeps a great list of experts for reporters at: http://facsnet.org

Mapping tools

• Popular mapping tools provide driving directions and maps to destinations. These include:

• www.mapquest.com• http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps/py• The U.S. Geological Survey

provides maps at:• http://mapping.usgs.gov

Yellow page directories

• Just like the town phone book, the Internet has yellow pages – for businesses around the world.

• www.bigbook.com• www.bigyellow.com

Finding finders

• You may not have access to the many specialized tools. Some search tools provide listings of other search tools.

• www.search.com• www.beaucoup.com

Fee services

• Many reputable (and disreputable) providers will get you information about people from credit reports to driving records to bank accounts to unlisted phone numbers.

• www.discreetdata.com• Private investigators have become

experts at getting information online.

PRIVACY

• For many people, these providers raise serious issues.

• Should our lives be available online?

• How much information about people should be available online?