Newsletter No. 152
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FreePint
"Helping 65,000 people use the Web for their work"
http://www.freepint.com/
ISSN 1460-7239 22nd January 2004 No.152
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ALTERNATIVE NEWSLETTER FORMATS AVAILABLE AT:
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/220104.htm>
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IN THIS ISSUE
-------------
EDITORIAL
MY FAVOURITE TIPPLES
By Alison Turner
FREEPINT BAR
In Association with Factiva
a Dow Jones & Reuters Company
JOBS
Information Analyst (Research Department)
Information Services Resources Coordinator
Researcher / Deals Coordinator
Information Researcher
TIPS ARTICLE]
"Choosing and Changing Your Web Host"
By Anne Ku
BOOKSHELF
"Essential Law for Information Professionals"
Written by Paul Pedley
Reviewed by Veronica Bezear
FEATURE ARTICLE
"Global Resources for Forest Information"
By Roger Mills
EVENTS, GOLD AND FORTHCOMING ARTICLES
CONTACT INFORMATION
ONLINE VERSION WITH ACTIVATED HYPERLINKS
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/220104.htm>
FULLY FORMATTED VERSION
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/220104.pdf>
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WWW.MARKETRESEARCHONTHEWEB.COM
A new subscription service providing a database of free and paid-for
sites containing market information, statistics, and industry news.
Full links to regularly evaluated UK and European sites from trade
associations, research agencies and publishers, journal publishers,
industry portals. Try out the free trial, or contact
mrow@irn-research.com for more details.
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>>> ABOUT FREEPINT <<<
FreePint is an online network of information searchers. Members
receive this free newsletter twice a month: it is packed with tips
on finding quality and reliable business information on the Internet.
Joining is free at <http://www.freepint.com/> and provides access to
a substantial archive of articles, reviews, jobs & events, with
answers to research questions and networking at the FreePint Bar.
Please circulate this newsletter which is best read when printed out.
To receive a fully formatted version as an attachment or a brief
notification when it's online, visit <http://www.freepint.com/member>.
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EDITORIAL
Who's your Internet hero or villain?
That is the question asked by the Internet Service Providers
Association for the UK Internet Industry Awards (the ISPAs). Published
this week, the ISPA 2004 shortlist includes a range of individual
politicians, businesses and government departments all nominated for
heroes or villains. Take a look at these and all the other category
nominations at <http://www.ispaawards.org.uk/>.
The winners of the ISPAs are announced at a ceremony in February and
are published in Internet Magazine. In our article today, "Choosing
and Changing your Web Host", Anne Ku recommends taking a look at
Internet Magazine for its section introducing Web site hosting
<http://www.internet-magazine.com/hosting>. The magazine also ranks
the transfer speed of top hosting companies every month and includes
questions and answers on Web hosting.
Anne Ku has changed Web host six times in five years and her practical
and useful article includes a wealth of international links and tips.
Most of us know there is no such thing as a free lunch, or even a
FreePint! (We never make it a secret that FreePint relies on
advertising.) Anne explains how free Web hosts make their money,
suggesting that although they may be fine for personal pages, in her
opinion, they are not the way to go for mission-critical professional
Web sites.
Maybe you've had a bad (or great) Internet experience or would like to
nominate a Company or individual for next year's Internet villain or
hero? You could also share your experiences at the FreePint Bar
<http://www.freepint.com/bar>.
Today we also have an article that will be of interest to those
working in the environmental field, in particular forestry, with a
summary of important research resources in forestry from expert Roger
Mills, who has been involved with forestry information work for over
twenty years.
We are privileged to have our very own information industry expert,
Pam Foster, as editor of VIP and VIP Eye. The first issue of VIP Eye
was published this week and you can look at it free. It is a
twice-monthly analysis of news in the UK and European business
information industry and is available by paid annual subscription from
issue two. Further information about this and the accompanying monthly
publication VIP can be found at <http://www.vivaVIP.com/>.
That's all for this issue. It only remains for me to say that I hope,
at least for most of the time, you consider the team at FreePint to be
Internet heroes not villains. I guess you must, or you wouldn't keep
on reading and recommending us to others!
Annabel Colley
Editor, FreePint
<annabel.colley@freepint.com>
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2004
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"Data Protection for Websites and Intranets"
ISBN 1-904769-02-0
This report provides an introduction to data protection issues as they
relate to websites, intranets and the online world. It draws attention
to areas of particular concern to website & intranet managers such as:
the use of cookies; entries in online directories; monitoring
employees' email and internet access; use of email for direct marketing.
<http://www.freepint.com/shop/report/>
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MY FAVOURITE TIPPLES
By Alison Turner
* <http://www.bbc.co.uk> - for fun stuff (work out your life
expectancy, Book of the Future) but also for news, weather and stuff
like learning languages.
* <http://www.libdex.com/weblogs.html> - I'm a recent convert to
blogging and this listing is a good way to see what others are doing.
* <http://www.infosourcespub.com/book4.cfm> - free sign up for The
Informed Librarian newsletter, handy for keeping up with a lot of
the key library publications.
* <http://www.goneboarding.co.uk/Index.asp> - for UK snowboarders,
this has reviews of resorts, slopes and the latest gear; an events
diary; and a board length calculator.
* <http://www.googlism.com> - perfect for that Friday afternoon
feeling, type in your name for a bit of fun.
Alison Turner is Library Partnership Co-ordinator with the National
electronic Library for Health <http://www.nelh.nhs.uk>.
Submit your top five favourite Web sites. See the guidelines at
<http://www.freepint.com/author.htm>.
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*** Learning Is Critical to Your Success ***
Factiva offers a wide range of learning preferences to ensure that we
have the right tools to suit you. Expert-led face to face and online
sessions at introductory or advanced levels are conducted in cities
around the world. View the full schedule and register
<http://www.factiva.com/learningschedule>. Factiva Learning Programs,
a comprehensive collection of learning options.
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>>> Business Information Product Reviews and News Analysis <<<
VIP and VIP Eye are two new publications which take an
in-depth look at the business information industry.
Edited by Pam Foster, free previews of the first issues
are available on the VIP site at <http://www.vivaVIP.com/>.
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FREEPINT BAR
In Association with Factiva
a Dow Jones & Reuters Company
We occasionally invite respected information professionals to post
an issue of their own newsletter to the Bar when it might be of
particular interest to FreePinters. Mary Ellen Bates of Bates
Information Services <http://www.batesinfo.com/> is one of our
favourites, and we welcomed the hints on hidden features of Google
in her latest 'Tip of the Month' <http://www.freepint.com/go/b27170>.
We always try to bear in mind that FreePint is a very international
community, and this has been underlined with the range of
country-specific postings recently at the Bar. There have been
questions about researching consumers in the Czech republic
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b27205> and more generally on household
incomes in Europe <http://www.freepint.com/go/b27268>.
Enquiries about reliable suppliers of information on companies in
North/South America and Asia <http://www.freepint.com/go/b27255>
through to New York property <http://www.freepint.com/go/b27250>.
People are even looking for geological sources for South American
sites <http://www.freepint.com/go/b27144>, whilst the thread
researching wireless infrastructure in rural Africa has become a
lengthy and interesting one <http://www.freepint.com/go/b26912>.
Finally, analysis of news in the international business information
industry is now also available through VIP Eye, the first edition of
which can be accessed for free at <http://www.freepint.com/go/b27244>.
Please post your feedback about today's FreePint at
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b27277>.
William Hann <william.hann@freepint.com>
Managing Editor, FreePint
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The FreePint Bar is where you can get help with your tricky research
questions, for free! <http://www.freepint.com/bar>
Help with study for information-related courses is available at the
FreePint Student Bar <http://www.freepint.com/student>.
Twice-weekly email digests of the latest postings can be requested
at <http://www.freepint.com/member>.
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What is the ResourceShelf?
<http://www.resourceshelf.com>
ResourceShelf is a free daily update containing news of interest
to information professionals around the world.
Topics include the latest news with web search engines, research
tips, new web resources, and much more.
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FREEPINT JOBS
<http://www.freepint.com/jobs>
The FreePint Jobs Update is now being circulated widely every two
weeks. This free newsletter now has 1,100 direct subscribers and
is posted at the Bar and in the Bar Digest (circulation 11,000).
To see the Jobs Update No.65 visit <http://www.freepint.com/go/b27199>
and to subscribe, modify your account at <http://web.freepint.com>.
Here are some of the latest featured jobs:
Information Analyst (Research Department)
Excellent opportunity for a LIS qualified professional.
Recruiter: Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker
<http://www.freepint.com/go/j2939>
Information Services Resources Coordinator
Assist in the development and delivery of a quality information
service to meet the needs of an expanding legal practice.
Recruiter: Burges Salmon Solicitors
<http://www.freepint.com/go/j2943>
Researcher / Deals Coordinator
New position for senior level person who is familiar with M & A league
tables, has some legal background and has excellent research skills.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
<http://www.freepint.com/go/j2945>
Information Researcher
Calling all SDC experts; long term contract, organise services as
well as deliver, good pay.
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment
<http://www.freepint.com/go/j2947>
[The above jobs are paid listings]
FreePint Jobs -- the best place for information vacancies.
* VACANCY SEARCHING -- Free search and sign up to the Job Update.
* VACANCY RECRUITING -- Complete the form and advertise a vacancy
for just GBP195 <http://www.freepint.com/jobs/submit/overview.php3>.
50% discount for registered charities. 10% discount for agencies.
Find out more today at <http://www.freepint.com/jobs>
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TIPS ARTICLE
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/220104.htm#tips>
"Choosing and Changing Your Web Host"
By Anne Ku
Web hosting has become a sticky and competitive business. It is sticky
for the customer because moving your Web site from one host to another
can be time-consuming, tedious and even risky. The migration process
can result in a loss of e-mails and reduction in site traffic while
getting used to a new hosting environment can take time. It is
competitive for the Web host because there are so many individuals and
companies that provide Web hosting services, not just those that do it
for a living.
A Web site consists of files that reside on a computer connected to
the Internet all the time. The entity that looks after this server is
the Web host. If you don't own and operate such a computer, you will
need to outsource the hosting of your Web site --- that is, find a Web
host. To understand the jargon of Web hosting, consult the two
glossaries at the end of the introduction to Web hosting article at
<http://www.hostcompare.com/introtowebhosting.htm>.
Choosing your first Web host and deciding to switch to another are not
trivial undertakings. Before visiting the various message boards
suggested below, it is worth reading self-help articles to acquaint
yourself with the jargon and issues. Otherwise, you might become
overwhelmed and confused by the many options available.
Guides to Web hosting: articles, search engines, forums
-------------------------------------------------------
The monthly UK publication Internet Magazine has a section introducing
Web site hosting at <http://www.internet-magazine.com/hosting>. Every
month they test the transfer speed of top hosting companies as an
indicator of performance excellence. Along with the monthly rankings
are also selected questions and answers on Web hosting.
A brief guide to Web hosting and a search engine for Web hosts can be
found at <http://www.isp-guide.com>. It is quite common to see a
combination of articles, search engines, rankings, and discussion
forums on sites devoted to Web hosting and Web development issues. The
Site Wizard at <http://www.thesitewizard.com> is a good example of
this. Other collections can be found at <
http://www.epinions.com/inet-Web_Hosting_Topics-Selection_Criteria>, a
three-part article at
<http://www.outfront.net/tutorials_02/getting_started/hosting3.htm>,
and Web Host Industry Review at <http://thewhir.com/>.
Most articles advise that you understand your hosting requirements
before you start looking for a Web host. Unless you know exactly what
you want, you may be tempted to opt for the cheapest offers advertised
by the biggest and most well-known companies as that may seem to be
the quickest and easiest way forward. However, Web hosting is not a
generic service that can be described by price and features alone. In
the absence of intermediaries such as brokers and advisors to help you
find the right Web host, participating in discussion forums such as
<http://www.Webhostingtalk.com> allows you to learn from experts and
other users.
Free or paid Web hosting
------------------------
Many people are tempted by so-called free hosting for their first Web
sites. In general, free hosting is suitable for personal sites, small
sites, or those that are not mission-critical. Most free Web hosts
require that you have a banner ad on every Web page which can be
annoying and intrusive. Very often you cannot have your own unique
domain name, so accessing your Web site can require typing a long and
not-easily recognisable or recallable name. However, this can be
overcome by using a domain name and mail redirection service such as
<http://www.freeparking.co.uk>.
Given all these drawbacks, "is free hosting really free?" asks the
article at <http://www.comparehosts.com/Article.asp?ArtId=3>. The
search engine and message board at <http://www.freeWebspace.net> can
help you with free Web hosts. <http://www.freeWebspace.net> ranks free
Web hosts based on user reviews in terms of support, speed, and
overall features.
When you pay for your Web hosting, however, you enter a contract
obliging your Web host to provide certain services. The cost of paid
hosting is largely determined by whether it is dedicated or shared,
managed or not, and other factors such as monthly bandwidth (site
traffic), e-commerce facilities, and support. Managed hosting is by
far the most expensive, for the customer pays for a dedicated server
and someone else to manage it. Dedicated hosting refers to having your
Web site hosted on one computer and not shared with others. Shared
hosting is the cheaper and more common option. Resellers are like
retailers who purchase a lot of Web space and partition it to rent to
customers. Other categories of Web hosting can be found at
<
http://www.compareWebhosts.com>.
Distinguishing features and critical user requirements
------------------------------------------------------
As Web hosting packages become more standardised, choosing the right package
from the right Web host should become easier. The larger companies will have
automated procedures that get your site up and running in no time. But too
much automation has its drawbacks, especially if you require personal
attention. While smaller companies may not have the economy of scale
to offer the lower prices, they may be more willing to work with you
to develop bespoke solutions or grow with you.
One article advises that you look for 99.9% up-time guarantee, 14-day
money-back guarantee (although some hosts now offer 60 days), and 24-
hour phone support at the very least. Check that the money-back
guarantee does not preclude a pro-rata refund after that initial
period. Because of the sticky nature of Web hosting, make sure you
know what you are getting into, particularly with regards to exit
procedures, refund policy, and notice periods should you decide to
change Web hosts. To this end, you can start a dialogue with your
candidate host before you even commit to a hosting
package to avoid future inconveniences.
The questions listed at
<http://www.internet-magazine.com/hosting/questions2.asp> and at
<http://www.netmechanic.com/news/vol2/hosting_no5.htm> can help you
narrow down your choices. Besides asking what is not mentioned in the
offering, find out how they would deal with your specific needs. A
slow response may indicate that they are too busy or that they don't
know. Do you feel that you're being treated as a person or an account?
Will they help you set up databases and guide you through other set-up
processes? The more you interact through dialogue, the more you're
able to gauge their level of professionalism, integrity, maturity,
and consistency.
Web hosts will try to differentiate themselves by price, ranking,
special offers, or a long list of features: see
<http://www.javascriptkit.com/howto/hostselect.shtml>. Don't be
blinded by these offerings, for you should only pay for what you
need and want. One way to narrow down your search is to identify
those 'critical user requirements' (features that you cannot do
without).
If you expect to grow rapidly, then you will need a Web host that can
allow you to grow -- in size, traffic, and functionality. If you need
to manage your site remotely when you travel, check that your host can
provide you with an easy-to-use control panel for remote site
management.
For some businesses, Web hosting is not an end in itself. Hosting
services can be a part of several Web-related offerings. Some Internet
service providers (ISP) include free Web space in their packages for
Internet access.
Changing your Web host
----------------------
Some Web hosts require that you register or transfer/renew your domain
with them before they will host you. Not all Web hosts provide domain
name registration and renewal services. The advantage of registering
and renewing your domain name with a provider (registrar) other than
your Web host is that it decouples the decision to change Web host and
change domain name registrars, making it easier to change either
service provider whenever you want to.
The domain registrar will have your domain name server (DNS)
information, i.e. the names of the computers of your Web host that
your Web site resides on. When you transfer your domain name to a
different registrar, your DNS information should not change unless you
change Web hosts. When you change to a different Web host, you just
need to change the DNS details kept by your registrar.
Several articles at <http://www.compareWebhosts.com/Articles.asp> and
<http://kirkhamgate.net/Webknowledge/1changeWebhost.html> explain what
is involved in changing your Web host, so take heed. Pay particular
attention to contact forms, scripts, databases such as automated
guestbooks, site search engines, Web statistics, password-protected
directories, and counters on the new server. After you have decided to
transfer to a new Web host be sure to: 1- allow plenty of time;
2- transfer all your files to the new host before you cancel with
the old one, and 3- test thoroughly.
For more information, visit the discussion thread started by the
author at the FreePint Bar <http://www.freepint.com/go/b26020>.
Updates to this article will be added to the author's Web advice
page at <http://www.anneku.com/web/>.
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Anne Ku writes from personal experience of having to change Web hosts six
times in five years. Her hosting needs have grown from 10 MB to several Web
sites with the largest being 200 MB with almost 3 GB of monthly traffic at
<http://www.analyticalQ.com>, a content site for self-expression, music, and
world travel. She thanks Yvan Bamping of <http://www.time-twins.com>, a free
site for people looking for their time twin, for assistance with this
article.
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Related FreePint links:
* 'Webmaster' articles and resources in the FreePint Portal
<http://www.freepint.com/go/p183>
* Post a message to the author, Anne Ku, or suggest further
resources at the FreePint Bar <http://www.freepint.com/bar>
* Read this article online, with activated hyperlinks
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/220104.htm#feature>
* Access the entire archive of FreePint content
<http://www.freepint.com/portal/content/>
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>>> DigBig :: Shorter URLs mean accurate URLs <<<
Do you have to communicate long Web addresses?
Use the free DigBig service to create short URLs.
<http://www.DigBig.com/>
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FREEPINT BOOKSHELF
<http://www.freepint.com/bookshelf>
"Essential Law for Information Professionals"
Written by Paul Pedley
Reviewed by Veronica Bezear
Could you name the eight data protection principles? How well do you
really know your copyright responsibilities in the new electronic age?
Do you know all your rights under Freedom of Information legislation?
Are you aware of the complete range of law which may apply to you if
you operate an information service or website from within the UK?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, you may find this book
very useful indeed, both as an introduction to the legal system and as
an ongoing reference. Its stated aims are to "stimulate interest and
raise levels of legal awareness in the profession particularly with
regard to key ethical and policy issues". It does, however, contain a
disclaimer that the book does not constitute legal advice and should
not be relied upon in that way.
This book deals with information legislation, and legal systems
relevant to the UK. Within the UK boundaries it has separate sections
dedicated to Scottish law where this differs from the law in other
parts of Britain.
The author Paul Pedley is, of course, well known to the FreePint
community on a number of related subjects. In addition to this book he
also maintains an information law weblog, KeepingLegal
<http://www.keepinglegal.com>, accompanied by a free fortnightly
newsletter which fits in very well as an ongoing awareness-raiser
in such a constantly changing subject area.
The book starts with an introduction to the British legal system,
necessary but a little indigestible in my opinion. It continues with
chapters covering what the author regards as the most relevant law for
information professionals. The longest chapters are on copyright,
data protection and freedom of information. Other chapters include:
the role of the information commissioner; defamation; breach of
confidence and privacy; professional liability; contracts & licensing
agreements; internet & electronic commerce law; computer misuse;
disability discrimination. The Human Rights act is also mentioned but
does not get a chapter in its own right. Within the scope of 215
pages, coverage of each subject is comprehensive and most chapters
contain links to further information.
Features of the book I particularly liked were: the summary at the end
of each chapter; discussion of the principles underlying the law at
the beginning of each chapter; and figures and tables to make
reference information stand out, e.g. the inclusion in the chapter on
data protection of a table giving an employment compliance checklist.
Overall, the real question is: in our increasingly legalistic and
litigious society, if you doubt your knowledge on any area of the law,
can you afford not to read this book? I promised to lend my copy to a
colleague when I had finished with it, but after reading it, I told
her she would need to get her own copy as I was pretty sure I would be
referring back to it very regularly. What better recommendation can I
give than that?
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Veronica Bezear is an Information Officer working for Surrey County
Council's Adults and Community Care service. She writes here in a
personal capacity.
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Related FreePint links:
* Find out more about this book online at the FreePint Bookshelf
<http://www.freepint.com/bookshelf/esslaw.htm>
* Read customer comments and buy this book at Amazon.co.uk
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1856044408/freepint0c>
or Amazon.com
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1856044408/freepint00>
* "Essential Law for Information Professionals" ISBN 1856044408,
published by Facet Publishing.
* Search for and purchase any book from Amazon via the FreePint
Bookshelf at <http://www.freepint.com/bookshelf>
* Read about other Internet Searching books on the FreePint Bookshelf
<http://www.freepint.com/bookshelf/searching.htm>
To propose an information-related book for review, send details
to <bookshelf@freepint.com>.
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>>> FreePint Jobs Update No.65 <<<
This free twice-monthly email newsletter lists the latest
vacancies in the FreePint Jobs database.
Read issue 65 at <http://www.freepint.com/go/b27199> and modify your
account to receive it by email at <http://web.freepint.com/>.
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FEATURE ARTICLE
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/220104.htm#feature>
"Global Resources for Forest Information"
By Roger Mills
The study of 'classic' forestry, i.e. the management of trees for
production purposes, has declined world-wide in recent decades, with
many institutions closing or merging. At the same time, interest in
trees as organisms and their effect on ecosystems has greatly
increased, and the role of sustainable forestry in maintaining global
environmental stability has taken centre stage. Demand for forest
products, especially for timber, fuelwood and pulp for paper, also
continues to rise with the population.
A changing landscape
--------------------
Consequently, the demand for forest-related information has greatly
increased. Today's much wider audience includes disciplines ranging
from forest and plant sciences, environmental change, geography,
ecology, earth sciences, biochemistry and medicine. It also includes
development studies, economics, social sciences and law. More broadly,
it encompasses users from all sections of society, from
intergovernmental agencies through governments, commerce and education
to local field workers. This huge range of 'stakeholders' is reflected
in a much more complex structure of information resource types,
including much geo-spatial, statistical and image data as well as
'traditional' bibliographic sources. Although much is now available
electronically, the half-life of forest information is very long and
printed sources remain extremely important. Trees grow slowly, with
lifespans often exceeding our own, so field experiments take decades
to complete and studies in environmental change may extend over
centuries.
Global recognition
------------------
The need for major improvements in access to forest information was
recognized at the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development (the Rio 'Earth Summit' back in 1992), which called for
strengthening of "mechanisms of information processing and exchange,
and of related technical assistance, ... to ensure effective and
equitable availability of information generated at the local,
provincial, national and international levels ... ". This led to the
formation of the Global Forest Information Service (GFIS)
<http://www.gfis.net>, developed by the International Union of Forest
Research Organizations (IUFRO) <http://www.iufro.org>. The GFIS
service, led by a consortium of major information providers, is very
young, was prototyped in 2002 and launched as a pre-production service
at the World Forestry Congress in Sept 2003. However, it already has
over 40 organizations contributing metadata and has established many
new collaborative contacts. With a focus on world-wide accessibility
in developing as well as developed countries, and emphasizing two-way
information flow between the first and third worlds, GFIS promises to
be of major importance in the future.
Basic information tools
-----------------------
Meanwhile, the researcher is well-served by a variety of
long-established and more recent services including CAB
International's 'Forestry Abstracts' (1939- ), available
electronically as TREECD (Ovid) and on the web as 'ForestScience'
<http://www.forestscience.info>. Web resources are covered by the
UK-based BIOME's AgriFor gateway <http://www.agrifor.ac.uk>, AgNIC
<http://www.agnic.org> in the USA and other regional gateways
including AgriGate <http://www.agrigate.edu.au/> in Australia.
In Europe some are available via Renardus <http://www.renardus.org/>.
The University of Minnesota <http://forestry.lib.umn.edu/agnic/>
maintains the forestry section of AgNIC and itself provides several
specialists databases in social sciences, trail planning, urban
forestry and tropical forest conservation and development, all
accessible through AgNIC.
International organizations
---------------------------
International organizations are a major source of primary data, most
of which is freely available on the web. FAO (Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations) has a highly developed forestry
information system <http://www.fao.org/forestry> containing a wealth
of aggregated data and analysis, including the biennial 'State of the
World's Forests' (SOFO), an authoritative printed report also
available online, and the free monthly journal 'Unasylva',
particularly useful for the non-specialist seeking an overview of
major world issues. The heart of the FAO Forestry website is a
database searchable by country, giving up-to-date information on
resources, forest cover, management, protected areas, legislation,
products and trade, including maps and statistics. As the country
pages are created dynamically it is not possible to link directly to a
particular page, only to the index on <http://digbig.com/3ksn>, but
this has the advantage of ensuring that the latest information is
always displayed. The site is currently available in English, French
and Spanish, and forms part of FAO's WAICENT (World Agricultural
Information Center) programme.
The United Nations Forum on Forests <http://www.un.org/esa/forests/>
(UNFF) is an intergovernmental policy forum to promote management,
conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests 'and
to strengthen long-term political commitment to this end'. The
documents presented to its sessions are available online but can make
somewhat depressing reading, as the movement towards a hoped-for
Convention on Forests makes slow progress. Nevertheless they are a
useful source of summarized information. UNFF is supported by an
inter-agency partnership 'Collaborative Partnership on Forests'
<http://digbig.com/3ksp> - its website is hosted but not managed by
FAO - which brings together currently fourteen major international
bodies with interests in forests in a series of joint initiatives.
This site is a useful jumping-off point to see who is doing what.
Associations
------------
The traditional forestry world is relatively small and tight-knit,
betraying in many parts its colonial heritage - the major colonial
powers all had centralized forest services run on civil-service lines.
Associations of forest officers were therefore strong and
well-supported, and their records form an invaluable resource for
historians. In the UK, the Commonwealth Forestry Association
<http://www.cfa-international.org> dates back to 1921 and publishes an
important journal, 'International Forestry Review', available online,
and a 'Handbook' with useful contact information, in print and on
their web site. Membership is no longer limited to the Commonwealth.
There is a host of NGOs covering every conceivable aspect of
forest-related activity, many of which publish newsletters and other
documents which can be difficult to keep track of. Many were included
in the very useful but ageing 'Directory of selected tropical forestry
journals and newsletters 1997' now seeking a home on the web (see
<http://members.aol.com/chaugen976/press.htm>). More substantial items
are collected by the Oxford Forest Information Service at Oxford
University (online catalogue at <http://library.ox.ac.uk>) and
abstracted in CABI's ForestScience database mentioned above.
Perhaps the most venerable and important forestry association is the
International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)
<http://www.iufro.org>, an international scientific body founded in
1892. Its worldwide membership encompasses almost every organization
involved in forest research. Structured in a series of thematic
groups, it arranges dozens of scientific meetings every year and a
quinquennial Congress, next in Brisbane in 2005. Other important
conferences are the Commonwealth Forestry Conference, next in Sri
Lanka also in 2005, and the World Forestry Congress, last held in 2003
in Quebec <http://www.wfc2003.org/>.
Reference sources
-----------------
Online availability of established printed books and journals so far
tends to lag behind some other subject areas, as the market is
relatively small. However the forthcoming 'Encyclopedia of Forest
Sciences' due for print publication by Elsevier in 2004, will also be
available online and looks set to become a standard work for basic
information on forestry and analysis of major issues. Although there
are other 'big books' most are not yet available electronically. CAB
International has a useful 'Forestry Compendium'
<http://www.cabi.org/compendia/fc/> which contains data sheets on a
growing number of tree species worldwide and a selection module to
identify species appropriate for various purposes, along with a
library of PDF documents and other features.
The use of timber certified as from well-managed sources is a major
political and economic issue. The Forest Certification Resource Center
<http://www.certifiedwood.org/> describes the various certification
processes with useful world-wide links. In the UK, the Forest
Stewardship Council UK has its own site on <http://www.fsc-uk.info/>,
while the Forestry Commission on <http://www.forestry.gov.uk/> focuses
on information for the general public as well as giving access to many
of its own publications.
Data visualization projects
---------------------------
With the increasingly ready availability of satellite and statistical
data covering forested areas all over the world, the need for
easy-to-use tools to extract and combine them at will to meet
particular information needs has become acute. The European Forest
Information System (EFIS) project is one of several developing such
tools as an online service. A demonstrator is available from the
European Forest Institute on <http://www.efi.fi/efidas/efis/>.
Canada's National Forest Information Service (NFIS)
<http://www.nfis.org> is developing along somewhat similar lines,
driven by the need for reliable, openly- available data to meet
legislation on environmental protection etc.
Libraries
---------
As it is a long-established science, there are many specialist library
collections in forestry around the world, often holding materials
unavailable elsewhere. A new online 'International Directory of Forest
Information Services' <http://iufro.andornot.com/> is being developed
by IUFRO and gives contact and collection details. This is
particularly useful as many collections have been merged into broader
subject areas, losing 'forestry' from the name in the process.
Although many of the information packages described above have
developed in scientific rather than bibliographic arenas, their
long-term management is increasingly falling to librarians and
information officers whose skills in keeping things available (on a
shoe-string budget), helping end users to find them and helping them
understand what it is they've found are increasingly recognized.
Seems the golden (or bronze) handshake is still a way off yet!
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Roger Mills is Plant Sciences Librarian and Oxford Forest Information
Service Manager for Oxford University Library Services. Involved in
forestry information work for over twenty years, he is active in the
Global Forest Information Service and in IUFRO, and in consultancy
work for the British Council and World Bank. His particular interests
are in information networks, user education and digital libraries.
Plant Sciences Library, Oxford University Library Services, South
Parks Road, Oxford OX1 2RB, UK <http://www.plantlib.ox.ac.uk>.
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