Last week we covered some fun Google Easter Eggs, that you can find while browsing the site.   This week, to take a more academic approach, we are going to cover 7 almost unknown specialized Google search engines that can be used for specialized consumer and academic research.

Also included in this realm, but not within this post are [NO LONGER WORKS] Google Video, Pictures, News and Blogs [Broken URL Removed] which most users will already be familiar with so we have not included them in the list below.

Its amazing that a database like this exists, but most people don't even know about it.   Google has taken it upon themselves to fully index and cross-reference over 7 million patents of past and present.   Complete with drawings, cross references and similarities to other patents, there are many lifetimes of explorations to be had.

For example, you can see Albert Einstein's patent application for a blouse or John Logie Baird's application for the device which would later go on to become the world's first television set.   There are many more.

Google Scholar

Google Scholar is an interesting experiment with mixed results as it can bring you information about books and academic articles related to your topic of deep query.  However sometimes the results that it finds will either be behind an academic password/pay wall or be a link to a book which is not available online. Nevertheless it is a great research point for deep interest on a subject.

Google Books

Already known to many, Google Books has taken the liberty to scan and partially make available online thousands of books.   Their system is very interesting as they allow you to view certain pages of a book at any one time (usually about 20% of the book).

However if you really want to see the book and not buy it through one of Google's affiliate links then you can reload the page from a different IP address and different sections of the book will show up.   Keep doing this until you get the whole work.   Also note that they have quite the database of magazines as well under similar terms.

Google Catalogs [No Longer Available]

Yes they are mad information monsters.  Google has went ahead and scanned almost every print catalog they can find.   Need to check that Sears Catalog and don't have your copy handy?  Don't worry Google has it all ready for you online.

Google Products

Yes, Google has a price comparison engine as well.   Enter any product that you are looking for and Google will show you hundreds of places to buy it and the lowest price.  They just want the whole pie.

Not as much as a custom database as the others, but more of a help for students and faculty.  Google University Search allows easy filtering and searching of resources from various US Universities.

Not of much use to our friends overseas, though don't worry, I am sure they are indexing as we speak.  Google has a specially filtered US Government search engine to help you find that information you need without all the noise.

What sources do you use (can be non-Google) to research and find specialty information?   Do you use a source that does the job better than the engines mentioned above?    If so please leave it in the comment section.

Google picture by Gonzalo Fernández