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• Editorial
  By William Hann and Robin Neidorf
  
  
• My Favourite Tipples
  By Richard McEachin
  
  
• FreePint Bar
  
  
• Jinfo :: Jobs in Information
  • Knowledge Management Project Officer
  • Records Manager
  • Information Services Manager
  • Business Researcher - PRIVATE EQUITY
  • Information and Database Manager
  • Council Information and Knowledge Manager
  • Researcher
    
    
• FUMSI Features
  
  
• Recently in VIP
  
  
• Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker
  
  
• Events, Gold and Forthcoming Articles
  
  
• Contact Information
  
  

By Richard McEachin

Our Google-Free Wednesdays create familiarity with the new, specialised, and often more relevant search engines. Here are my current Wednesday favourites:

• I begin with the Google-Free Web, Blog, and Company Information categories using Copernic Agent Professional and export the processed results as a Word document.
  
  
• Gigablast.com clusters its results. This works particularly well when searching people. The advanced search is easy to access and use.
  
  
• Searching blogs can be time consuming, but Zuula.com speeds this up with its easy to use blog search. Shut-off the 'adult content' filter and select 60 results per page for best results.
  
  
• Accona.com and Accona.eu are good for searching on business names. The SuperTarget feature can be very helpful, as can searching in the business and news category. I hope these improve.
  
  
• Exalead.ca supports Boolean operators including NEAR. We use the APPROXIMATE SPELLING and PHONETIC SPELLING operators constantly. Exalead is what Google should be. Too bad the database is so small.
  
  

Relevant search engine results go into OneNote then into a final report in Word.

Richard McEachin is President of Toronto based McEachin & Associates Ltd., which performs due diligence, competitive intelligence, and litigation support research. He is also a licenced Private Investigator. For more of his sources and methods, go to http://www.ConfidentialResource.com/.

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By Monique Cuvelier

<http://www.freepint.com/bar>

The FreePint Bar is generously sponsored by Dow Jones Factiva

Microsoft is a hot topic on the FreePint Bar . You'll find some details below on issues people are having with their technologies, plus more discussions on content licences, politics and taxonomies. As ever, you can ask your challenging questions at the Bar.

• The FT is changing is licencing policies, and a user has posted the question: take up the extra licence or go back to the days of using the print (egads!) version? One thoughtful response points out that the change shifts the cost down the usage chain. Read the entries, and share your thoughts on this change <http://www.freepint.com/go/b257212>.
  
  
• You FreePinters came to the rescue again when someone was looking for 'a sector taxonomy to be used in a CRM at an outplacement company'. A few Bar members posted some useful links for purchasing taxonomies or hints for constructing one from scratch <http://www.freepint.com/go/b249788>. Taxonomies are a key part of managing information - find more tips and resources in the Manage practice area of FUMSI: <http://www.fumsi.com/manage>
  
  
• Have you been to your MP's blog lately? If you said yes, you may be contributing to an increasing in political use of social media. Someone is looking for insight into how UK politicians are embracing 2.0 technologies <http://www.freepint.com/go/b249946>.
  
  Side note: We're tracking this thread at FreePint, so if you have special insight or wish to contribute an article on the topic, let us know at editor@freepint.com.
  
  
• The latest version of Microsoft Office has left many users scratching their heads over missing functionality. This includes one user, who is wondering where a helpful feature in PowerPoint has gone from 97 to 2003 <http://www.freepint.com/go/b251589>. The FP community found some workarounds.
  
  
• Another 'Pinter is looking for Microsoft help, specifically in a 24-hour PC drop-in centre where the computers are locked but left on. Some suggestions on how to disable the shut-down function: <http://www.freepint.com/go/b256664>.

Monique Cuvelier has been the editor of the FreePint Newsletter and now serves as the contributing editor for FUMSI's Share practice area. She has edited, launched and written for many magazines, newspapers and websites in the US and UK. Learn more about her at <http://www.onopoly.com/support/team/>.

The FreePint Bar is where you can get free help with your tricky research questions <http://www.freepint.com/bar>

Help with study for information-related courses is available at the FreePint Student Bar <http://www.freepint.com/student>.

Subscribe to the twice-weekly email digests at <http://www.freepint.com/subs/>.

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FUMSI publishes articles, tools, and a monthly magazine, to give you practical help with information skills. Visit http://www.fumsi.com/

However you Find, Use, Manage or Share Information, you'll find something in FUMSI to help.

We add new articles to the FUMSI database in each practice area every month. Here are the most recent additions:

"Managing Successful Vendor Contracts: Part 1 - Preparation"
FUMSI: Manage

In the first of a two-part series aimed at managing successful vendor contracts, Mark Jewell looks at preparation as a prerequisite to effective contract negotiation.

WHAT'S INSIDE: Use [these skills] next time you negotiate an employment contract - I recognise candidates who do and it often costs us money.

Read, print, save or forward this article now »

"Online Digital Special Collections in English Universities: Promoting Awareness"
FUMSI: Share

English universities possess a treasure trove of historical materials in their special collections, but promoting awareness of those materials can be challenging. Erica Wine looks at the opportunities that digitisation of special collections presents for enhancing accessibility and public understanding.

WHAT'S INSIDE: 'You would be in a very rare and lucky situation if the whole world knew about [your collection], and if your institution was not just proud of its treasures, but fully supportive of any initiative to promote and exploit them. This article is for those who are not in such a position.'

Read, print, save or forward this article now »

The FUMSI Magazine has been published!
Check out the features:

• Commentary by our four contributing editors
  
  
• FUMSI Focus -- hand-picked selections of web-based resources to help you with your work
  
  
• The latest feature articles in each practice area, plus jobs and events by practice area

Download now »

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The Jinfo service enables you to search and advertise information- related job vacancies.

The Jinfo Newsletter now features CV Makeovers, in which a job seeker's CV is critiqued and revised by specialists in the field as well as career tips for all experience levels. Read the latest edition and subscribe free at <http://www.jinfo.com/newsletter/>.

Jinfo Jobs in the FreePint Newsletter are supported through our partnership with Quantum², an innovative skills development programme offered by Thomson Scientific. Learn more at <http://scientific.thomson.com/quantum2/>

Here is a selection of the latest featured entries in the Jinfo database:

• Knowledge Management Project Officer
  Knowledge Management Project Officer required on a permanent basis.
  Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
  Country: United Kingdom
  <http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8361>
  
  
• Records Manager
  Exciting chance to work at prestigious organisation, bringing your records expertise to both paper and electronic records management.
  Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
  Country: United Kingdom
  <http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8383>
  
  
• Information Services Manager
  You will develop a strategy for development and expansion of existing information services and for liaison with external helpline providers.
  Recruiter: Federation of Master Builders
  Country: United Kingdom
  <http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8553>
  
  
• Business Researcher - PRIVATE EQUITY
  Private Equity Researcher. New vacancy in expanding international firm for bright Researcher with relevant online research experience.
  Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
  Country: United Kingdom
  <http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8589>
  
  
• Information and Database Manager
  Organise property asset -related information within an existing new web-based database (Asset Management Database) and other information repositories.
  Recruiter: TFPL
  Country: United Kingdom
  <http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8624>
  
  
• Council Information and Knowledge Manager
  Deliver our information and records management strategy across the whole Council while leading the information management team.
  Recruiter: Tribal Recruitment
  Country: United Kingdom
  <http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8636>
  
  
• Researcher
  Excellent opportunity working in a small, dynamic environment, to join our growing and entrepreneurial team.
  Recruiter: The Piedmont Group
  Country: United Kingdom
  <http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8637>
  
  

[The above jobs are paid listings]

NB: These are just a selection of information-related jobs in the Jinfo database <http://www.jinfo.com/>. Receive the latest job listings weekly with the free Jinfo Update. Free to subscribe at <http://www.jinfo.com/>

Subscribe to the free Weekly update of the latest jobs, plus the monthly newsletter with career tips:

<http://www.jinfo.com/subs/>

Jinfo -- the best place for information-related job vacancies.

• JOB SEARCHING?
  -- Free search and sign up to the Jinfo Newsletter
  
  
• RECRUITING?
  -- Complete the form and advertise a vacancy for just GBP195 <http://www.jinfo.com/recruit/>
  -- 10% discount for agencies
  -- 50% discount for registered charities

Find out more today at <http://www.jinfo.com/>

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VIP publishes in-depth, unbiased reviews of business information products. If you purchase or use premium information resources, make VIP part of your professional reading every month.

Featured in the February issue:

• Researching China companies with QIN from Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing
• Financial Services Indicators and Forecasts, from BvDEP and Economist Intelligence Unit
• Purchase this issue from the VIP website, or start your subscription now: http://web.vivavip.com/go/vip/

NEW: Now publishing the VIP LiveWire
Commentary on the industry, by the VIP editorial team. Get their insight on trends, products, user needs and more.

Recent posts:

• Northern Rock – a bigger issue than we think?
• The happy knack of finding unknown unknowns

Request a sample issue of VIP, or start a trial subscription today for only GBP 70 for three months. Trial offer is not available through the Web site; email support@vivaVIP.com for details.

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Every week, the editors of ResourceShelf explore a Resource of the Week. Get them for free every week via email by subscribing to the ResourceShelf Newsletter.

Recently published:

International Business and Economics Statistics We've had a request — inquiring minds would like to know where to find international biz stats on the Web. We actually turned up a number of promising fishing holes for you to explore. We'll introduce you to some of them this week and finish up with the rest in next week's ROTW posting.

Full posting with live links at: <http://digbig.com/4wmar>

DocuTicker publishes citations of full-text, free reports available on the web. Visit daily for new postings, or subscribe to the weekly DocuTicker Newsletter.

Collection of Note: Asia

Our appetite for information from and about Asia never seems to wane. If you're checking out this month's VIP, with its review of QIN as a must-review source of information on Chinese companies, you may also want to take a look at the free reports on the region collected on DocuTicker. View the collection »

Highlights:

• Education and the Asian Surge: A Comparison of the Education Systems in India and China <http://www.docuticker.com/?p=19490>
  
  
• How Large is China's Economy? Does it Matter? <http://www.docuticker.com/?p=19413>
  
  
• State of the Region 2007-2008 <http://www.docuticker.com/?p=19351>

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It is free to search and advertise information-related gatherings in FreePint Events <http://www.freepint.com/events/>.

Premium listings

These events are hosted by our partner organisations and/or advertisers:

• "Packaging, Promoting and Persuading"
  28 February 2008
  
  *Webinar*
  This session discusses the business competencies necessary for marketing yourself and the information centre. Outcomes are a clearer understanding of the three Ps of marketing and the basics of a marketing plan.
  
  Organised by:Thomson Scientific
  Location:Amsterdam
  Country:Netherlands
  <http://www.freepint.com/go/e1015>
  
  
• "Linking Information Services to Compelling Business Events"
  13th March 2008
  
  *Webinar*
  One of the ways Information Professionals can add value to their organization is to identify the underlying business need driving a research request. This helps Information Professionals move the request up the value chain and add depth to their information services.
  
  Organised by:Thomson Scientific
  Location:New York
  Country:United States
  <http://www.freepint.com/go/e1016>
  
  
• "Search Engine Meeting"
  28 - 29 April 2008
  
  This annual meeting, now in its 13th year, provides a forum and point- of-reference for all those interested in the domain of Search and Retrieval. The Meeting draws together those with a professional interest in search engines - such as search engine designers and developers - and those interested in applying search engines in their own professional environments. Search is at the heart of information retrieval; and the Search Engine Meeting provides an annual point of reference as to what is happening in this fast-moving and exciting field.
  
  Organised by infonortics
  Location: Boston, MA, USA
  <http://www.freepint.com/go/e989>
  
  
• "Managing Up: Partnering with Stakeholders to Achieve Result"
  15th May 2008
  
  *Webinar*
  This workshop focuses on techniques for building the credibility and relationships necessary to inspire productive change. It offers tips on communicating effectively with anyone who might affect the success of your work projects, by identifying and working with specific influencing or relationship building tactics and styles. In short, we look at how we "manage up" to achieve the results that we want for our service.
  
  Organised by:Thomson Scientific
  Location:London
  Country:United Kingdom
  <http://www.freepint.com/go/e1017>
  
  

Free listings

United Kingdom:

• "Finding People Information: Free Sources and Web 2.0"
  4 March 2008
  <http://www.freepint.com/go/e1026>
  
  
• "Web 2.0 and Beyond: Applying social and collaborative tools to business problems"
  5 - 6 March 2008
  <http://www.freepint.com/go/e991>
  
  
• "JISC Conference 2008"
  15 April 2008
  <http://www.freepint.com/go/e973>
  
  

United States:

• "ASIDIC Spring 2008 Meeting"
  16 - 18 March 2008
  <http://www.freepint.com/go/e994>
  
  

*** Submit your event for free promotion ***
New upgrade option for enhanced listing coverage

<http://www.freepint.com/events/>

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A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in previous years:

• FreePint No. 224, 15th February 2007. "Beyond Music: Integrating Podcasting into Your Business" and "Life of the Party: Social Web Browsers" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/150207.htm>
  
  
• FreePint No. 200, 16th February 2006. "Health intelligence sources in diabetes" and "Digital repositories in UK universities and colleges" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/160206.htm>
  
  
• FreePint No. 177, 24th February 2005. "Website Usability" and "Recycling - A Growth Industry" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/240205.htm>
  
  
• FreePint No. 154, 19th February 2004. "Electronic Information for Occupational Safety and Health - Challenges for the Information Professional" and "Legal Issues For Information Professionals. How UK Copyright Law Has Changed With The EU Directive" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/190204.htm>
  
  
• FreePint No. 131, 20th February 2003. "France - Business and Economics Sources on the Web" and "Poisons, Potions and Toxins - Toxicology Sources on the Web" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/200203.htm>
  
  
• FreePint No. 106, 21st February 2002. "Searching for 'The Daily Me'" and "So you want to start your own business? Web resources that every budding entrepreneur should consult before taking the plunge" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/210202.htm>
  
  
• FreePint No. 81, 15th February 2001. "Economics sources" and "Aboriginal Australia on the World Wide Web" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/150201.htm>
  
  
• FreePint No. 56, 3rd February 2000. "UK Political & Government Web Sites" and "Topics and Collections: An Alternative Metaphor for Using the Web" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/170200.htm>
  
  
• FreePint No. 32, 18th February 1999. "Environmental Information on the Internet" and "New Library: now comes the action" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/180299.htm>
  
  
• FreePint No. 8, 19th February 1998. "A New Light on the Horizon" and "Current Awareness Research on the Internet" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/190298.htm>
  
  

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FORTHCOMING ARTICLES
[Provisional]

• Ethical Acquisitions
• Special Collections
• Corporate IT convergence
• Collaborative Search Strategies
• RSS on the Go
• Managing a Team of Researchers

If you have a suggestion for an article topic, or would like to write, then please contact FreePint's Editor Sara Waddington at sara.waddington@freepint.com or read the notes for authors at <http://www.onopoly.com/author/>

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Address:

Free Pint Limited 4-6 Station Approach Ashford, Middlesex TW15 2QN, United Kingdom

Telephone:

UK: 0870 141 7474 Int: +44 870 141 7474

Directions and maps: <http://www.freepint.com/contact.htm>

Contributors to this issue:

Richard McEachin, Mark Jewell, Erica Wine, Sara Waddington (Senior Managing Editor, FUMSI), Monique Cuvelier (Contributing Editor: Share), Robin Neidorf (General Manager, FreePint), Shirl Kennedy (Senior Editor, ResourceShelf and DocuTicker), Pam Foster (Editor, VIP), William Hann (Managing Editor, FreePint), Penny Hann (Production Editor, FreePint), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).

Advertisers/Sponsors:

The Piedmont Group, Tribal Recruitment, Federation of Master Builders, Dowjones Factiva, Thomson Scientific, Weekes Gray Recruitment, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, VIP, DocuTicker, Jinfo.

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