Lookup Database

Technology

This list originally compiled by Newhouse Master’s student Sean Bagnardi.

Brint

http://www.brint.com/

This management and consulting firm provides links to hundreds of research directories. You can conduct either broad searches (such as “engineering” or “aerospace”) or narrow searches (“software engineering” or “spacecraft and satellite design”). BRINT returns a list of web pages, directories, and hi-tech organizations that can help with news research or for finding sources.

CNet News

http://news.cnet.com/

CNet is more than just a news site. Owned by the CBS Corporation, CNet provides the day’s top technology headlines in easy categories like “business tech” and “green tech.” It has links to technology reviews and downloads of different software. This site is vital to reporters who want to know what is going on in tech news and how consumers are reacting to the latest releases.

EurekAlert

http://www.eurekalert.org/bysubject/technology.php

EurekAlert is an online press service created by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), an international non-profit organization. It offers media releases on hi-tech stories. This is a good place to find out the latest technologies being worked on by researchers and developers. You can search under “Technology & Engineering” or within the sciences.

eWeek

http://www.eweek.com/

Eweek provides news and information on upcoming technology-related seminars. It has blogs, videos and technology items for sale (good for reporters looking for pricing info.). RSS feeds are also available. Eweek is a product of Ziff Davis Media, which calls itself a “leading integrated media company providing the technology and videogame markets with critical research and market intelligence.”

Government Technology

http://www.govtech.com/

This is Government Technology Magazine’s online version. It consists of government-related technology stories and information. You can find out the details of government contracts and funding, including where tax dollars are being spent, etc. There are also blogs written by government officials. Government Technology is a division of e.Republic, Inc., which calls itself, “ the nation’s leading publishing, research, event, and new media company focused on information technology for the state/local government and education markets.

HowStuffWorks

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/

If you are working on a tech story and are not quite sure how the device or program will operate, this is the website for you. HowStuffWorks also provides tutorials on the basic building blocks of technology, from computers and gadgets to home entertainment.

MOST

http://www.most.org/

This is the website for the Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in Syracuse. Aside from hours and events, this site provides a look at some interesting things that could be “kicker” stories for reporters. For example, “How does a ball point pen work? What does science have to do with Valentine’s Day? What’s different about Einstein’s brain?”

PCWorld

http://www.pcworld.com/

This website provides technology equipment reviews and stories. It is the companion to the magazine of the same name. It provides price information on technological devices. PC World Comm owns and operates this site.

Topix

http://www.topix.com/tech

This site provides “hot topics” in technology news. There is a “this day in science/tech history” section, along with blogs and discussion pages. This site is helpful to for a reporter looking for consumer reaction. It is continually updated and is well organized. It calls itself “the leading news community on the Web” and says “the site links news from 50,000 sources to 360,000 lively user-generated forums.” It’s funded by several media organizations.

Webopedia

http://www.webopedia.com/

Webopedia is an online dictionary and search engine with definitions about Internet technology and computers. It’s easy to use and understand, even if you do not have a science background. It also includes a pronunciation tool. The sources used are often listed in the links section below the definition. The site claims that every definition is verified among multiple sources.