Where to Find the Latest Search News and Database Updates

Search systems are changing constantly; just look at the recent updates to Compendex, Inspec, and PatBase.  How can you stay updated on the latest changes to both free and subscription search systems  for patent and non-patent literature?  Here at Intellogist, we have to constantly check a number of blogs and websites so that we can add the most recent system changes to the “Major Recent Updates” sections of our Intellogist Reports.  We also have to learn about the newest free and subscription search systems and databases to add to the growing list of Community Reports and resources listed on the Resource Finder.

Continue reading to learn about the best blogs and websites for finding the latest database and search system news!

Blogs and News Websites

I have a few favorite blogs and news sites that I find particularly useful for learning about interesting new search systems and keeping up-t0-date on major search engines.  Here are my top search-related blogs and news websites that I check daily:

• Beyond Search – This blog by Stephen E. Arnold often highlights interesting new search platforms, especially free non-patent literature search sites.  Readers will also find the latest news on major free search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
• Inside Search – Let’s face it: if we have a question, we usually turn to Google first.  Patent searchers will often find useful non-patent literature results by using one of Google’s numerous search platforms, such as Google Scholar or Google Patents.  Most casual users aren’t aware that Google offers such a broad array of search tools, and this official Google blog highlights new Google tools, the latest news on Google products, and useful tips for improving your searches on Google.
• Search Engine Land - Like “Beyond Search”, this news site highlights the latest updates for major free search engines.  On Search Engine Land’s main menu, I’d recommend visiting the Google and Search section, where readers can find guides on the major free search engines (Google, Yahoo, and Bing) and an archive of articles on smaller search engines (non-members only have access to about a week’s worth of articles).  Readers can also sign up for SearchCap, a free daily e-newsletter on the latest search-related news.
• Information Today, Inc - Information Today focuses on major subscription vendors, such as EBSCO and ProQuest.  I often check the NewsBreaks section of the site for the latest developments for these subscription database vendors.  I’d also recommended subscribing to both the ITI Newslink e-newsletter and the ITI Newslink Bulletin to receive daily or weekly summaries of the major news published on the site.

Vendor Websites
Your best bet for getting the very latest news on system updates is by going directly to the source: the database vendor websites.  For subscription platforms and databases, I usually just head to the publisher or vendor websites to find announcements about recent changes.  Most vendor websites have a news section, and some sites even offer RSS feeds or e-newsletters that you can sign up for.

Conclusion

Databases and search systems are constantly evolving, and patent searchers need to follow these changes in order to know the best resources for locating both patent and non-patent literature (NPL) prior art.  The Intellogist Wiki documents these updates to major patent and NPL search systems through the Intellogist Reports, and new search systems are also constantly being added to the Community Reports and Resource Finder.  I stay updated on recent changes and new search platforms by following search-related blogs and news websites, but I also need to often check the database vendor/publisher websites directly to learn about recent changes to major subscription platforms.

 

How do you stay up-to-date on the latest database and search system news?  Let us know in the comments!

This post was contributed by Joelle Mornini. The Intellogist blog is provided for free by Intellogist’s parent company Landon IP, a major provider of patent searches, trademark searches, technical translations, and information retrieval services.

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