How do you search? 1

[semerich]

I have an "Old School" boss who claims engineers still search the (Thomas) Register. I tried to tell him he's a dinosaur, that we search for products, not lists of companies, but what do I know? I could sure use some supporting comments so I can get this matter off my back. Examples would be great! Thanks,

 

[dgowans]

Often, a list of companies will lead to the product you're looking for. To that end, I still use ThomasNet from time to time.

Old school - find it yourself.

New school - call the appropriate hungry salesperson and have them do the work for you. Even better is to call multiple salespeople so you have some leverage when it comes time to buy.

 

[Eltron]

Yeah, I call a couple of vendors with similar products and let them do the footwork. Then they can duke it out when it gets time to quote me. If they are too slow getting back then Google is your friend. I'll also take the track of calling a vendor, and if they don't have it then I'll ask them who they think might. Seems like most decent vendors will give you a list of leads.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[MiketheEngineer]

We use the Web -

 

[TVP]

Personally I find that a targeted Google search is more useful than combing through the Thomas Register, with the caveat that the Google search may point to some company's Thomas webpage.

 

[IRstuff]

Why is there a distinction? The Thomas Register IS on the web:

http://www.thomasnet.com/

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[imcjoek]

Thomasnet is about as useful as the dozens of patent-spam websites that have been cropping up.

Just more detritus pushing the actual search results down to page six.

 

[ARenko]

I use google primarily. 3-4 yrs ago I found Thomasnet pretty useful, but the last couple of times I've tried to use it I found it like imcjoek describes.

 

[tomwalz]

I use google and find the thomas net intrusions irritating.

Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com

Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.

 

[materialsliz]

I've never used ThomasNet. Google is my search engine for a product I've never dealt with before, otherwise it's bookmarked company sites I search, like McMaster-Carr, 3M, Magnolia, etc.

 

[tygerdawg]

For me, Google throws too much junk. I quit using it for industrial searches. Also, it appears to be server-location dependent. I worked for one company that piped all internet access from Germany. My Google searches returned Euro suppliers which did not help me much here in the US. I noticed another company's access gave me Google responses with a majority of companies based in India. Again...

I use ThomasNet and GlobalSpec for industial stuff. But I have to manage GlobalSpec heavily. Their gig is to get your contact info when you register. When you click on a link to a company or product, your contact info will be sent to the company. A salesperson inevitably calls later. I hate that. So I mouseover the link and look at the status bar display to discern the company's website. Then navigate to the site directly.

When I'm feeling mean & nasty, I log on to GlobalSpec using the contact info of the President of a former company that treated me badly. Then the salespeople contact HIM.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[waross]

Great idea.

When I'm feeling mean & nasty, I log on to GlobalSpec using the contact info of the President of a former company that treated me badly. Then the salespeople contact HIM.

Don't get caught.
Anyone know the contact info for the CEO of TXXXXX Field Services Inc.?

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter