untangling_the_web

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problem? The big residential telephone directories on the web often come
from printed directories that have been scanned in by companies who then
make them searchable via the Internet. Email directories are almost entirely
made up of addressed culled from USENET newsgroups , voluntary
registration, ICO users, and (sometimes) web pages. Other limitations to big
phone and email directories are:
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o
o
o
o
they generally focus on the US (maybe Canada, too)
their sources of information are very limited (people registering
themselves or from trolling newsgroups)
they require you already know details about the person you're seeking
they are woefully out of date, and/or
their data is inaccurate
~ Public Databases
Public databases are similarly frustrating. Almost invariably, the public
databases listed on "people finder" sites are US-based and many of the best
ones require at least registration and even a justification of use if not
payment. I recommend you look for public databases in the country you're
researching, but expect to encounter similar problems. In general, public
databases suffer from many of the same problems as big directories as well
as having drawbacks of their own. Public databases are wonderful sources of
information if you are seeking such public records as real estate transactions,
lawsuits, liens, judgments, bankruptcies, fire arm transactions, sex offenders ,
motor vehicle registrations, corporate records, etc. However, this kind of
research simply is beyond the purview of this book. Other drawbacks of public
databases are:
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o
o
o
o
o
they generally focus on the US (maybe Canada, too)
they often require registration and/or payment
they tend to be restricted to specific types of data (e.g., sex offenders
or property records in a specific state)
they require you already know details about the person you're seeking
they are out of date, and/or
their data is inaccurate
~ Private or Internal Directories
These are not inherently bad, but they are by their very nature extremely
limited. Many private directories belong to universities, government agencies,
corporations , and organizations. If, however, you are looking for someone
whom you know works for an organization or attends (or ;s even an alumnus
of) a specific university, these directories can be gold! See below for details.
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