Finally, there is a layer of research tools for people engaged in very special- ized fields. Here are some examples of what the Invisible Web has to offer them.
e-Print netWork—energy, Science, and technology For the reSearch coMMUnity
www.osti.gov/eprints
The E-Print Network offers scientific and technology-related resources col- lected from over 35,000 databases worldwide, including materials on basic and applied sciences, physics, chemistry, biology and life sciences, materials science, nuclear sciences and engineering, energy research, and computer and information technologies. Keyword search results include title, author, date, a summary, and the source of the item, where a link to the item can be found. Full-text availability depends on the source. Real-time searching shows the results being compiled at the time of query. The advanced search function shows all the contributing collections, which can then be searched separately if desired. There is also a “browse by discipline” function: select- ing a discipline brings up an alphabetical list of authors and contributors with their affiliation. Clicking on a name directs the user to that individu- al’s website. Users can also search scientific societies by discipline and lan- guage. Tags: format, unique content not found or linked to elsewhere
PlantS databaSe
http://plants.usda.gov
An example of a specialized database, sponsored by the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture, Natural Conservation Services, this database has one focus: anything to do with plants. A user can search under the common or scientific name of a plant, by characteristics, by region, and more. The Plants Database is a very reliable source and, like many government resources, its content forms part of the Invisible web. Tags: dynamic content, niche
the labyrinth: reSoUrceS For Medieval StUdieS
http://labyrinth.georgetown.edu
Sponsored by Georgetown University in Washington, DC, the Labyrinth is an example of a specialized directory on a single theme, medieval stud- ies. Directories require the user to select from broad subject categories and browse the offered content. Often, directories have several layers of increasingly specific subject topics to select. The Labyrinth website offers broad category listings, narrower categories, and subcategories. Selecting a category brings up links to digitized resources that may include images, pri- mary texts, maps, course materials, discussion lists and forums, and more. Keyword searching is an additional option. Tags: unique content not found
or linked to elsewhere, niche
Fold 3: the Web’S PreMier collection oF original Military recordS
www.fold3.com
This tool searches United States military records and can help historians, genealogists, and families learn more about those who have served. The database covers all American wars from the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War and offers photographs and digitized records. It was devel- oped by Footnote.com. Tags: dynamic content, niche
FindSoUndS: Search the Web For SoUndS
http://findsounds.com
FindSounds claims to be the only search engine devoted to finding sound effects on the web. It offers searching in several languages, including English, German, French, and Chinese, among others. Searching for a sound using textual description or approximation produces a list of sources of the sound which can be downloaded and listened to, along with information on file type and properties. As an example, a search under cat found over 200 cat sounds. The search also offers to find similar sounds. FindSounds is free, offers a mobile app, FindSounds Mobile, and is one of those unusual sources for unusual needs. It prides itself on being able to find sources not available through Google and other major search engines and provides a comparison of its results with theirs. FindSounds was developed by Comparisonics Cor- poration. Tags: formats
yoviSto: acadeMic video Search
http://yovisto.com
Yovisto is a video search engine specializing in educational video content, including online lectures. A search returns video screenshots and titles, dura- tion, number of views, and other information, along with a link to each video and related subject tags that are in turn linked. Yovisto utilizes semantic search, so that the “user has not only access to keyword-based search results, but will also be guided by content-based associations to enable serendipitous discovery” (Waitelonis and Sack 2011, 646). Clicking on a video selection brings up more specific information, including description and institutional affiliation. The user can also browse under “lectures” and by universities and speakers. Yovisto.com is a private search company. Tags: formats
FindthatFile: FindS What nobody elSe doeS
www.findthatfile.com
FindThatFile claims to be the most extensive file search tool on the Inter- net, covering forty-seven file types. Google’s advanced search only offers ten. A search can be conducted for all file types, or the user can select from documents, videos, audio files, fonts, software, or compressed file formats. Search results include a breakdown of formats by document type (PDF, text [TXT], PowerPoint [PPT], etc.), audio format (e.g., MP3), and so forth. Results can be downloaded and show date and size of files. The site claims to screen out malware and viruses. Tags: formats, unique materials not found
or linked to elsewhere
SlideFinder: Finding yoU the right SlideS
www.slidefinder.net
SlideFinder is a search engine that looks only at PowerPoint presentations to locate materials. A user can search for ideas or download entire presen- tations, which are offered in English, French, Spanish, and other languages. Much of this material is university based, and the searcher can even look by name of institution to find resources. Tags: formats
hathitrUSt digital library
www.hathitrust.org
The HathiTrust organization refers to itself as “a collaboration of major research institutions and libraries working to ensure that the cultural record
is preserved and accessible long into the future.” At present, it has sixty partners who are making digital collections available through the reposi- tory. It offers over 700 collections so far, from universities and libraries. Its partners include schools such as of the University of California, Columbia University, and Cornell University, and libraries such as the Library of Con- gress, the New York Public Library, and Yale University Library. Collections can be searched in three ways: catalog search, full-text search, and browse. Copyright restrictions are noted for items that cannot be offered in full text, along with links to help locate the item in the member organizations or elsewhere. Tags: dynamic content, federated search
Making oF aMerica
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moagrp
The Making of America Project has been a long-term effort to create a digi- tal collection of primary documents related to American history. It is a col- laborative endeavor among libraries, principally the University of Michigan Library and the Cornell University Library. It is possible to browse through the alphabetical list of the collections, which vary vastly in size. Topics vary from space flight to rocks and minerals to Harriet Beecher Stowe. Tags:
dynamic content, unique content not found or linked to elsewhere
Social Science reSearch netWork
www.ssrn.com
The Social Science Research Network (SSRN) is a worldwide collaborative sponsored by Social Science Electronic Publishing, Inc. The site, which sup- ports dissemination of social science research, offers nearly half a million scholarly abstracts and nearly as many full-text papers. Its network covers subject areas such as accounting and other business fields, music, philoso- phy, literature, politics, and more. A user can research papers by subject and author. The results list shows title, author, publication information, when the item was posted and last revised, number of viewings, links, abstract, and full-text access. Many of the research papers presented are preprints. The user can also browse subject networks for papers. Subscribers receive added benefits. Tags: unique materials not found or linked to elsewhere
Some may argue that the selection of Invisible Web tools represented here (and summarized in table 6.3) overlooks other valuable resources, and that is probably true. These tools are only a sampling of the riches of the Invisible Web. Every researcher is encouraged to create a personal list of such valuable tools.
Table 6.3