7 Almost Unknown Google Search Engines You Should Use

Ted Nash — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:01:12 +0000

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 Google Video, Pictures, News and Blogs which most users will already be familiar with so we have not included them in the list below.

Google Patent Search

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

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.

Google University Search

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.

US Government Search

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

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10 Google Services That Get No Love

Mark O'Neill — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 23:38:28 +0000

If you were to interview a broad cross-section of internet users and ask them about Google services, probably most of them would enthusiastically talk about Gmail or Google Reader. At the very least, they would mention Google’s superior search engine. But how many people do you think would discuss being able to set up customised RSS feeds in Google News? Or being able to download source code in Google Code? How many people would know that Google offers various possibilities for users to help improve their products?

Here are some Google services that need a lot more loving (cue Barry White music) :

(1) Google Labs

My favourite online playground (although the offerings at the moment are a little dull). This is where new Google products are first given the beta label and unleashed onto an unsuspecting world for testing and commenting. If you try something out in Google Labs, you are invited to email the Google team involved with comments / suggestions / complaints (on two occasions, I got a personal reply back from a member of the team, discussing my comments).

The way I see it, this is a good way to influence future Google products by getting involved in a product’s development. How many Google users use Google products but don’t bother to provide any creative input to make them better? Next time a Google product doesn’t go as planned, don’t complain on a forum – contact Google and offer constructive advice & criticism!

(2) Google Pack

If you know an internet newbie who has not so much knowledge of the internet and software products (like my mother), Google Pack provides an excellent software package to start with (although I personally wouldn’t choose Norton and Real Player). Check out full program list here.

(3) Google Translate

Translate text or even complete webpages into eleven languages (you can even translate from “simplified” Chinese to “traditional” Chinese). As with all online translators, this won’t give you a 100% accurate translation (online translators can’t grasp things like idioms and contexts) but if you want to buy those crates of AK-47 assault rifles from that online shop in North Korea, Google Translate will let you overcome that Korean language barrier.

(4) Google Co-Op

Allows you to customize Google search results with your own self-rolled search engines. You can also provide information from your website as a subscribed link or if you are a specialist in a particular subject area, you can label and categorize search information which other people can click on. Again, this is another way you can actively help in making search much better (otherwise known as user-generated input).

(5) Google Code

This one is for the computer geeks (of which I am a honorary member). Allows you to find and download source codes and developer API’s to make mashups for Google products.

(6) Google News

Google News has been around for a while and is old-hat to many. But how many of you knew that you could customise the page to only see the news you want to see? Or the fact you can set up customised RSS feeds for the news subjects that interest you? Never miss another news story about Paris Hilton ever again. You can also use the new news archive to find very old news stories, either scanned pages of publications or online sources. Some free, others not.

(7) Google Patent Search

If you’re in business and you’ve developed a hot new invention, don’t you want to check first to see if anybody got in there before you and filed a patent? Google Patent Search will show you the patent applications for pretty much everything so you can see right away if you are the sole inventor of the combined coat hanger and cigarette lighter.

(8) Google Blog Search

One of my personal favourites as it helps me to find current blogs on my favourite subjects (and swell my 200+ RSS reading list even further). Find blogs catering to various subjects. Want to know if anybody shares your overwhelming passion for navel lint by blogging about it? GBS will help you out.

(9) Google Alerts

Want to know if anybody has been talking about you online? Maybe somebody trashed your website by insulting it in a forum? Or a disgruntled customer to your online shop made disparaging remarks in their blog? By setting up a Google Alert (with pre-defined search terms), you will get an email with links anytime Google finds something matching your keywords. Britney Spears probably has one set up now with the keywords “Britney” and “MTV Music Awards”.

(10) Google Catalogs

Guys rejoice! (and women too). Want to buy some Victoria’s Secret lingerie? Or perhaps a new light-sabre is in order for you trusty Jedi Knights? Google now offers the chance to browse through scanned pages of catalogs and magazines such as GQ and Cosmopolitan to find products you might be looking for. No more raking in bins looking for catalogs of women in bikinis – Google now gives them to you online!

Do you know of a Google service that needs more user loving? Let us know in the comments. I’ve got Lionel Richie on speed-dial.

Mark O’Neill is a freelance writer, proofreader, editor and blogger. Check out his blog at http://www.betterthantherapy.net