Harnessing Databases - An online exercise
Directions: First: write
the kind of information you can obtain in each of these online databases.
Next: use the database to answer the supplementary question(s). printer
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1. EDGAR -
List 2 people or activities that would use EDGAR's information.
2. PatFT -
Enter your last name. How many hits did your search yield?
Give an example of when you might need information From the PatFT database.
What entity maintains the PatFT database?
3. IMDb -
The site search has a popup
menu. It offers choices like: All, Titles, Names, etc.
These are examples
of records or keywords. (Underline the appropriate database term
that helps you narrow a search).
4. PLANTS -
Click on the PLANT of the week. You will see info offered on Symbol, Group, Family, Growth Habit.
They are examples of ___________________________ (enter the appropriate database term)
5. U.S. Gazetteer -
Enter the appropriate data and write your query results:
Now enter Washington in the name field. Search. Look at the number of records.
How is the use of the keyword - state important in your search?
6. Registry Whois -
Go to Information about Whois > Search Whois
Enter si.edu - what organization owns that domain name?
7. Bartleby.com -
How would the resources, that are available in this database, be useful to you when you are preparing a speech?
8. OneLook -
How many resources can be accessed through this database search engine?
Look up "phat". How many resources list it? __________________
TAI (Think About It) - Look up "phat" in a print dictionary.
I bet it is not listed.
What are two advantages that an online, digital dictionary database has
over a printed dictionary database?
9. dmoz - Open Directory Project -
Assess - Is your school listed in the directory? ________________________
Does this database actually count calories? ________________________
Name several professionals who would find it useful in their work.
11. CharityNavigator
Look up an organization you know. Write the name here.
In 2007, the median income of a family in the USA was $50,700.
How much does the CEO of the charity earn?
Does this information impact your decision to contribute?
12. GNIS
Look up your community's name or school name.
What information is provided?
Who might use this information?
13. Watch this web video from the New York Times -
Delicious Library - a program that helps you track your book and music collections.
What kind of software is this?
How do you currently organize this data?
Name the database it utilizes.
The most dangerous phrase in the language is, "We've always done it this way." Admiral Grace Hopper USN
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owners.
Copyright February 2004 Cynthia J. O'Hora All Rights Reserved. Revised 6/2006
Save a tree - use a digital answer format - Highlight the text of the title, directions and questions. Copy the text. Paste it in a word processing document. Save the document in your folder. Answer on the word processing document in an easily read, contrasting color or font. (No yellow, avoid artistic fonts like: Symbols, 
, 
, & 
fonts). Save frequently as you work. Enter your name and the date in a header. Submit the assignment via a class dropbox or an email attachment. Bad things happen. Save a copy of your document in your computer.
Proof your responses. It is funny how speling errors and typeos sneak in to the bets work. 
Make your own printer paper answer shee