Find Out Who Called: Phone Number Search Strategies

Introduction

Did you miss a call and want to know who it came from?  Or did you purposely ignore one and still want to know who called?  Well, finding out who called can be quite easy!

In this post, we’re going to pass on phone number search strategies to help you find out who owns the numbers that call you.

Our Findings

First of all, not all numbers are searchable on the internet.  Given the privacy that comes with a cell phone number, determining the owners of such numbers is often quite difficult or impossible.  So, bear that in mind whenever you’re looking to find out who owns any given number.

But, in business, almost all phone numbers can be found.  And really, why wouldn’t they be easy to find—what kind of business would want to make it difficult for prospective customers to find them?  Not one that wants to make any money…

So, how can you find out who called?  The following are the two methods that we use:

1. Reverse phone number lookups—provided by phonebook providers

2. Specific Google searches

Below describes how to perform these searches.

Reverse Phone Number Lookups

Many online phonebook providers offer “reverse phone number lookups.”  These lookups are the equivalent of search engines for phone numbers, allowing you to search all of the numbers within their database.

To use reverse phone number lookups to find phone numbers, all you need to do is:

1. Go to an online phonebook provider.  For Canadian searches, we recommend Canada411.ca.  For searches in the United States, we recommend YellowPages.com.

2. Find the website’s reverse phone number lookup page.  For Canada411.ca, it can be found here.  For AnyWho.com—a member of the YellowPages.com family of brands and the site YellowPages.com directs you to for the search (4)—it can be found here.

3. Type the phone number in the format requested, press search, and you’re done!

Specific Google Searches

Another way to find phone numbers is to search for them in Google (or your search engine of preference).  By searching this way, you will be able to find any phone number that is published on the internet, be it in a social media profile, on company website, in online ad, or otherwise—if it’s on the internet and it isn’t protected, you can find it.

To do a specific Google search, all you need to do is the following:

1. Go to Google.

2. Type the phone number you’re looking to search and place it within quotations.  We recommend excluding hyphens and any characters that are not numbers.  Also, we recommend typing the number in the format specific to the country.  For example, for a North American phone number, it should look as follows: “705 627 9672”

3. Press search, and you’re done!

And that’s it!  If you use these methods and a number is out there, you should be able to find it!

References

(1)- Canada411.ca’s website:

http://www.canada411.ca/

(2)- Yellow Pages’ website:

http://www.yellowpages.com/

(3)- Canada411.ca’s “Reverse Phone Lookup”:

http://www.canada411.ca/search/reverse.html

(4)- Information about AnyWho.com:

http://www.anywho.com/help/about

(5)- AnyWho’s “Reverse Phone Lookup”:

http://www.anywho.com/reverse-lookup

(6)- Google:

http://www.google.ca/

Links to More Information

That should be good for now! :)

Want to make a request for free research?  Follow the directions found on the left.

Have a comment you'd like to pass on?  E-mail feedback@ostrichcanada.ca

Black Lumps on Trees: Black Knot Information

Introduction

Have you ever seen black lumps on tree branches in North America and wondered what they were?  Well, since you’re not a plant biologist—otherwise known as “botanist” (1)—we won’t fault you for not knowing.  Heck, we didn’t know what the stuff was until we looked it up, :).

Anyways, whether you’re just interested in learning what those black lumps are or you own plants and want to learn how to get rid of the lumps, this post should help.

Below, we’re going to explain what “black knot” is, how to treat it, and how to prevent it from occurring.

Our Findings

What is “black knot”?

“Black knot” is the common name for the black lumps that you see on the branches of certain types of trees (2).  Black knot is “a very common disease of plants in the genus Prunus” (3), including cherry, chokecherry, plum, and prune trees (2).  This disease is caused by a fungus called “Apisporina morbosa” (2).  The fungus feeds on the aforementioned tree types, resulting in olive-coloured growths that eventually turn into those ugly black lumps (2).

If you’d like to see what black knot looks like, have a look at any of the links in our “References” and “Links to More Information” sections.

How do you treat black knot?

Although we’re not botanists/arborists, we feel Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s article offers the most thorough approach to treating black knot that we’ve found.  It is as follows:

- “Prune out all knot-bearing branches during late fall, winter, or very early spring when plants are dormant and knots are easy to see

- Remove infected branches to at least 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) below knot.  Note: It is preferable to prune an infected branch further back to an appropriate location, such as a healthy collar, rather than leave a stub

- As a precaution, cutting blades should be cleaned and disinfected after pruning, if possible, especially if cuts have been made through obviously infected material

- For knots on scaffold branches or trunks that can’t be removed, cut away diseased tissue down to good wood and at least 1 cm (1/2 inch) beyond the edge of the knot

- Failure to remove branches beyond the internal growth will result in re-growth of the fungus

- Diseased wood must be destroyed immediately (burned, buried, or removed from site). Diseased knots can produce and release spores for up to 4 months after removal. Proper composting can help to accelerate the breakdown of infected materials” (3)

How do you prevent black knot?

The following are some recommended measures to take to help prevent black knot from occurring:

- “Ensure plants are healthy and free from stress (not a guarantee from disease)” (3)

- “Ensure adequate canopy ventilation through proper pruning” (3)

- Regularly monitor your plants (3)

- “Avoid planting trees next to or downwind from an old or abandoned orchard with a significant black knot problem” (4)

- “Fungicide programs (check current recommendations for approved materials) can offer significant protection against black knot” alongside effective pruning and sanitation (4)

We hope all of this has helped! :)

References

(1)- Information about botanists from Perdue University:

http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/usda/careers/botanist.html

(2)- Information about black knot from Manitoba Agriculture, Food, and Rural Initiatives:

http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/diseases/fac48s00.html

(3)- Information about black knot from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development:

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq7622

(4)- Information about black knot from Cornell University:

http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/factsheets/treefruit/diseases/bk/bk.asp

Links to More Information

The following are a few more resources on the subject:

Information on black knot from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Information on black knot from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs

Information on black knot from West Virginia University

Want to make a request for free research?  Follow the directions found on the left.

Have a comment you'd like to pass on?  E-mail feedback@ostrichcanada.ca

Teach Yourself Web Design: Learn HTML, CSS, and More at w3schools.com

Introduction

If you’re looking to learn web design from scratch, update your knowledge, or just need information to make minor modifications to a website, w3schools.com is a fantastic resource.

In this post, we’re going to introduce you to the site and its features, and explain how it can help you with your website coding needs.

Our Findings

Learning how to design a website is like learning a new language—it takes a lot of time, patience, and practice.  Actually, since designing a website involves knowing the language(s) of web design, learning web design truly does involve learning another language.  But, thankfully, as there are for learning new languages, there are many websites out there to help guide you in the process of learning website coding.  w3schools.com is one of those websites—one that we recommend you visit.

What are HTML and CSS?

HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language.  Long story short, HTML is the universal language used to code a website—that is, you need to know it in order to have complete control when making a website or when making coding modifications.

CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets (2).  CSS is another language used in web design and it is used to enhance HTML.  Basically, it was made to simplify the coding process by allowing developers to make changes to multiple webpages from one file (2).

What other languages are there in web design?

There are many other languages involved in web design, all of which have different purposes.  Some examples include: Javascript, XML, and PHP, among others (1).  These languages are not absolutely necessary in order to design a website, but they do add to what you can do.  With that in mind, since we have no background on these languages, we’ll leave it up to w3schools to describe them further—in other words, check out their site to learn more.

What information does w3schools provide?  How do I use their website?

w3schools is a great site for learning HTML, CSS, and other web design languages.  They move you through the learning process by introducing new pieces of information in a step-by-step manner based on their importance/applicability.

To start the process, you simply click on the item you would like to learn about--found on the left-hand side of their homepage or in the navigation bar at the top of other pages.  You will then be brought to the subject’s homepage.  From there, you simply read through the material and click on “Next Chapter” after you have finished each chapter.

If ever you need to go back to a specific chapter or you need information on something that has yet to be discussed, you can navigate to it via the chapter headings found on the left-hand side.  For example, if you’re on the “HTML HOME” page and you want to learn about colours, simply look to the chapter headings on the left-hand side and click on “HTML Colors” (3).

And really, that’s about it—all you have to do is follow through their material, practice it, and you’ll be able to learn web design.  Specifically, we recommend that you pay special attention to the green buttons that say “Try it yourself.”  The page that you’ll be directed to after clicking one of these buttons will be one where you can: try out different codes, see how they work, and see if you’ve done things correctly.

Final Thoughts

To make a website, you don’t absolutely need to know how to code websites.  Really, there are countless webpage/website templates available out there that you can use to make one.  However, at some point, you’ll likely want to make specific changes that you can’t do with the templates or programs that you’re using.  Therefore, you’ll need a reference point for information on how to make the changes that you want to make—and this is exactly why we decided to introduce you to w3schools.

So, in the end, although some may use w3schools’ website to learn HTML, CSS, or other languages from scratch, many will likely only use the site for referencing information.  But, in either case, if you’re going to have a website of some sort, you should bookmark w3schools.com—you’ll probably need information from them at some point.

Now, go out there and have fun coding!  *rolls eyes*  :)

References

w3schools’ homepage:

http://www.w3schools.com/default.asp

w3schools’ “CSS Introduction” page:

http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_intro.asp

w3schools’ “HTML HOME” page:

http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp

Links to More Information

If you’re struggling and w3schools’ website isn’t helping, we’d recommend taking an introductory course in web design at a local college or finding a friend (or a friend of a friend) to teach you the basics.  For many, there is no substitute for hands-on, in-person training provided by a teacher.  Otherwise, maybe have a look through YouTube—there are many videos available to help clarify information.

Want to make a request for free research?  Follow the directions found on the left.

Have a comment you'd like to pass on?  E-mail feedback@ostrichcanada.ca

Terrorific Tunes: The Ultimate Halloween Playlist

Introduction

Stick on your fake nose, slip on your wig, and grab your broom—it’s Halloween time!

Are you hosting a Halloween party and need some “killer” music?  Well, in this post, we’re going to pass on a Halloween playlist comprised of four others that we’ve found, giving you plenty to listen to during an evening of freaky fun!

Our Findings

Without further ado, here’s the list!

A Perfect Circle- Judith

AC/DC- Highway to Hell

Alice Cooper- Feed My Frankenstein

Alice Cooper- Welcome to My Nightmare

Anthony & The Johnsons- Hope There’s Someone

Avenged Sevenfold- Bat Country

Bach- Toccata & Fugue in D Minor

Band of Horses- Is There a Ghost?

Bauhaus- Bela Lugosi’s Dead

Beetlejuice Theme

Bjork- Hunter

Blue Oyster Cult- (Don’t Fear) The Reaper

Bobby “Boris” Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers- Monster Mash

Boris Karloff- The Vampire Sleeps

Boris Karloff- Voice from the Grave

Boswell Sisters- Heebie Jeebies

Chris Isaak- Wicked Game

Chromatics- Killing Spree

Corpse Bride/Danny Elfman- Remains of the Day

Creedance Clearwater Revival- Bad Moon Rising

Danny Elfman & Tim Burton- This is Halloween

Dave Matthews- Halloween

David Bowie- Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)

Dead Kennedys- Halloween

Dead Man’s Bones- In the Room Where You Sleep

Dead Man’s Bones- My Body’s a Zombie for You

Deer Tick- Blood Moon

Depeche Mode- Black Celebration

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince- A Nightmare on My Street

Donovan- Season of the Witch

Duran Duran- Hungry Like the Wolf

Dusty Springfield- Haunted

Dusty Springfield- Spooky

Echo & the Bunnymen- The Killing Moon

Electric Light Orchestra- Strange Magic

Elvis- (You’re the) Devil in Disguise

Exorcist Theme/Tubular Bells

Feist- Graveyard

Frank Sinatra- Witchcraft

Frank Zappa- The Torture Never Stops

George Harrison- Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Gillian Welsh- Caleb Meyer

Goblin- Profondo Rosso

Gorillaz- Dracula

Haunted Pipe Organ Music

Helloween- Halloween

Iron Maiden- Fear of the Dark

John Carpenter- Halloween Theme Song

Joy Division- Dead Souls

Kanye West featuring Jay-Z and Nicki Minaj- Monster

Karen Elson- The Ghost Who Walks

Kate Bush- Hammer Horror

King Diamond- Halloween

Lady Gaga- Monster

Marilyn Manson- In the Shadow of the Valley of Death

Marilyn Manson- This is Halloween

Metallica- Enter Sandman

Michael Jackson- Thriller

Ministry- (Everyday is) Halloween

Misfits- Die, Die My Darling

Misfits- Halloween

Misfits- Skulls

Misfits- Vampira

Motley Crue- Shout at the Devil

Mudhoney- Halloween

Neil Young- Vampire Blues

New York Dolls- Frankenstein

Nine Inch Nails- The Day the World Went Away

Oingo Boingo- Dead Man’s Party

Ozzy Osbourne- Bark at the Moon

Ozzy Osbourne- Mr. Crowley

Pantera- Cemetery Gates

Queens of the Stone Age- A Song for the Dead

Radiohead- Optimistic

Radiohead- We Suck Young Blood

Ramones- Pet Cemetery

Ray Parker, Jr.- Ghostbusters Theme

Redbone- The Witch Queen

Rihanna- Disturbia

Rob Zombie- Dragula

Rob Zombie- Living Dead Girl

Rockwell- Somebody’s Watching Me

Roky Erickson- Burn the Flames

Roky Erickson- I Walked with a Zombie

Roky Erickson- Night of the Vampire

Roky Erickson & the Aliens- I Walked With a Zombie

Run DMC- Raising Hell

Ryan Adams- Halloweenhead

Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs- Lil Red Riding Hood

Sammy Davis, Jr.- That Old Black Magic

Santana- Black Magic Woman

Sarah Vaughan- Bewitched

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins- I Put a Spell on You

Sheb Wooley- Flying Purple People Eater

Siouxsie & the Banshees- Halloween

Slayer- Raining Blood

Slayer- South of Heaven

Smashing Pumpkins- Bullet with Butterfly Wings

Squirrel Nut Zippers- Hell

Strung Out- Scarecrow

Suicide- Frankie Teardrop

Sunn O)))- Her Lips Were Wet With Venom

Talking Heads- Psycho Killer

The Addams Family Theme

The Beatles- Devil in Her Heart

The Black Ghosts- Full Moon

The Burning Hell- Grave Situation Part 1

The Cramps- Surfin Dead

The Cranberries- Zombie

The Creepshow- Zombies Ate Her Brain

The Doors- People are Strange

The Dream Syndicate- Halloween

The Eagles- Witchy Woman

The Grateful Dead- Friend of the Devil

The Meteors- She’s a Zombie Now

The National- Conversation 16

The Rocky Horror Picture Show- The Time Warp

The Rolling Stones- Sympathy for the Devil

The Searchers- Love Potion #9

The Specials- Ghost Town

The Talking Heads- Psycho Killer

The Yardbirds- Evil Hearted You

Theme from Hitchcock Presents

Tim Armstrong- Among the Dead

Tom Waits- Cemetery Polka

Tom Waits- Don’t Go Into that Barn

Tool- Sober

Twisted Sister- Burn in Hell

Van Halen- Runnin’ With the Devil

Warren Zevon- Werewolves of London

White Lies- Death

White Zombie- Black Sunshine

White Zombie- I’m Your Boogieman

White Zombie- Knuckle Duster

Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Heads Will Roll

Zombies- Time of the Season

References

Examiner.com’s “57 songs for your Halloween playlist”:

http://www.examiner.com/article/57-songs-for-your-halloween-playlist

The Toronto Sun’s “Ultimate Halloween music playlist”:

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/25/the-ultimate-halloween-music-playlist

The Strombo Show’s Halloween edition playlist:

http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/radio/october-31-2010.html

KROQ’s “30 Halloween Songs so Good, They’ll Raise the Dead”:

http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2012/10/23/30-halloween-songs-so-good-theyll-raise-the-dead/

Links to More Information

That’s it for this one!

Want to make a request for free research?  Follow the directions found on the left.

Have a comment you'd like to pass on?  E-mail feedback@ostrichcanada.ca