I had a very busy summer learning JavaScript and making Web search tools, and it doesn’t look like I’m slowing down any time soon. In September I created six new ResearchBuzz Gizmos. They’re all free and only two of them (Pam’s University Pin and Super .Edu Search) require API keys. (In both of those cases the API key is free and all you have to do is paste it into a text box.)

Read on to learn about six new ways you can explore the Internet! If you want to play with all the ResearchBuzz Search Gizmos (there are 22 at this writing) you can find them at https://researchbuzz.github.io/ .

Contemporary Biography Builder – https://researchbuzz.github.io/Contemporary-Biography-Builder/

The CBB uses historical figure Wikipedia page information to build lifespan searches across Google Books, Internet Archive, Chronicling America, and the DPLA. In other words, if you search for Louisa May Alcott (who lived between 1832-1888) it will create searches for her that are restricted to the years 1832-1888.

ResearchBuzz reader Susan asked for a version of the CBB that is untethered from Wikipedia and allows you to put in the birth/death years yourself. Susan’s version of the CBB is available at https://researchbuzz.github.io/Contemporary-Biography-Builder/susan.html .

Want to learn more about the Contemporary Biography Builder? Check out this article!

JOOC Box – https://researchbuzz.github.io/JOOC-Box/

JOOC in Internet slang means “Just Out of Curiosity” and is pronounced “juice.” JOOC Box makes keyword-based RSS feeds with “expiration dates” in the title and bundles them into an OPML file, making them easy to import into a feed reader. Simply search your RSS feeds regularly to see if anything has hit an expiration date.

Want to learn more about JOOC Box? Check out this article!

Local Community Finder – https://researchbuzz.github.io/Local-Community-Finder/

I find searching for events with Google to be frustrating because it tends to find less-than-fresh results. LCF uses some search pattern shenanigans to keep your event and community searches current and useful. There’s also a Twitter radius search for a zip code so you can find real people in an area, too.

Want to learn more about Local Community Finder? Check out this article!

Carl’s Name Net – https://researchbuzz.github.io/Carls-Name-Net/

If you’re doing a name search, it’s important to use as many variations as possible in your search engine queries. Carl’s Name Net takes a two-or three-word name and generates two sets of name variations and searches for Google, Google Books, Google Scholar, and Internet Archive. I am told that this is especially handy for both prospect research and genealogy.

Want to learn more about Carl’s Name Net? Check out this article!

Pam’s University Pin – https://researchbuzz.github.io/Pam-s-University-Pin/

Allows you to explore the TwitterSpace of all higher education institutions within an x mile radius of a zip code. Offers location search as well as two types of domain searches. Requires a free Data.gov API key.  I used this during Hurricane Ian to see how different universities around Florida were responding to the storm.

Want to learn more about Pam’s University Pin? Check out this article!

Super .Edu Search – https://researchbuzz.github.io/Super-Edu-Search/

Supercharge your site:edu modifier  to search for university Web content by institution location, ownership type, minority/gender emphasis, and/or religious affiliation. The linked version above lets you search for location by state; if you’d rather search by zip code, you can use the version of Super .Edu search at https://researchbuzz.github.io/Super-Edu-Search/index2.html .

Want to learn more about Super .Edu Search? Check out this article!

When I first started making these things, I figured I’d make half-a-dozen and then run out of ideas. Instead the more things I make, the more things I get ideas for. Stay tuned as I try to catch up my skills to where my ideas are!