Challenge 10: Online Databases

So we have some pretty handy databases on our own website. But how familiar are you with other databases on the web? This challenge is going to focus on two of them, the Internet Movie Database and AllMusic.

The Internet Movie Database (or IMDB for short) is an online database that focuses on the television and movie industry, providing listings and information on actors and actresses, shows, movies, producers, directors, etc. Changes cannot be made directly to a listing-- they must be submitted and approved by the IMDB's editors. Movie listings provide details, links to trailers and official websites, as well as user ratings and comments. If it is available, the IMDB provides links to buy the movie online. Cast or crew listings provide biographical details, as well as extensive lists of movies/shows that a person has worked on, awards they have been nominated for or won, and user comments.

AllMusic is a similar Music database site, that lends itself more to browsing, instead of searching. They do have a search function, but the coolest part of Allmusic is the ability to browse by genre. Click "Pop/Rock" on the first page, and see a list of all the sub-genres they have listed. Each sub-genre page gives you a description of the music (apparently C-86 is "influenced in equal measure by the jangly guitar pop of the Smiths, the three-chord naivete of the Ramones, and the nostalgic sweetness of the girl group era.") a list of top artists and albums in the genre, and related styles. Many songs and albums have links to listen and/or buy.

Your Challenge: Explore these online databases. Can you see yourself using these to answer patron questions? Do you prefer the IMDB's search, or the AllMusic database's browse? (Even better, compare the IMDB's search to AllMovie's browse. AllMovie is part of the Allmusic network, and set up similarly.)

Bonus link!Midomi is a very handy little music tool that you may have seen some people use on their cell phones. Ever spent all morning humming a song and can't for the life of you remember what it is? Midomi let's you hum a song, and then tries to identify it for you. On cell phones, it's handy for when you catch the last part of a song on the radio, and want to know what it is. Just hold your phone up to the speaker, and Midomi does all the work.