 | 13th March 2008
No.248 |
About FreePintFreePint is a global network of people who find, use, manage and share work-related information. Members receive this free twice-monthly newsletter, packed with tips, features and resources. Joining FreePint is free at <http://www.freepint.com/> and connects information practitioners around the world with resources, events and answers to their tricky research and information questions at the FreePint Bar, our free online forum: <http://www.freepint.com/bar/>. Please share FreePint with others by forwarding this message. The FreePint Newsletter is available online in several formats and can be read, saved and forwarded at <http://www.freepint.com/issues/ >. |
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| EditorialBy William Hann and Robin Neidorf  If you want to make the gods laugh, make a plan. So says the wisdom of the ages.
In the last issue of FreePint, we emphasised the importance of having a plan. But plans often run afoul of circumstance. What happens when a new opportunity arises, a resource dries up, a competitor suddenly makes a leap forward... or backward? Where's the beautiful certainty of planning then?  The two latest FUMSI articles highlighted in this issue of FreePint offer practical perspectives on flexible and adaptable planning. It has to do with what Dame Lynne Brindley called ' the beta
mindset' in the interview we published earlier this year. Rather than planning ourselves to death, we have to be as comfortable as possible with experimentation and adapting as we go.
 Information work has changed enormously, offering great opportunities for information workers to create their own career paths. Some feel that there are fewer traditional information roles out there (NB: the vacancies listed on Jinfo continue to increase in numbers!), but the rise in alternatives is unmistakeable. Rachel Singer Gordon's article on alternative career paths provides a framework for learning about and evaluating the options, some of which did not even exist when you first entered an information training programme.
Helen Day shares a case study of her work with BT to experiment with and incorporate Web 2.0 technologies into BT's intranet and knowledge management programmes. She writes: 'Although many managers and organisations are concerned about such tools in the corporate environment, BT have a very positive attitude to trying these newer technologies, often testing them through small, lightweight "beta" style implementations and letting the users drive the development and decision process.' The world of corporate wikis, blogs and live chats with the CEO is still very new and wasn't part of many organisations' planning process even 5 years ago. A too-rigid plan would prevent an organisation from this sort of experimentation, at the cost of innovation. A world that always operated according to plan would probably be pretty boring to live in. Still, it's hard to let go of the sense of control that planning gives us and adopt that beta mindset. Rachel writes, 'Library folks tend to have difficulty with ambiguity; our innate desire to organise and categorise can keep us from recognising the ways in which our field is changing and expanding.' Expansion is both exciting and risky; your plan helps you manage the risk, but it's your flexibility that enables you capture the excitement. William Hann, Publisher
Robin Neidorf, General Manager
Free Pint Limited
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2008 
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Everybody FUMSI! < http://www.fumsi.com/> Free Pint Limited's newest offering
However you Find, Use, Manage or Share Information, FUMSI can help: - Searchable article database of tips and features
- Access information by practice area
- Share, print or re-use articles easily with online interface
Now online: FUMSI Magazine Issues 1 and 2: <http://web.fumsi.com/go/magazine/ > Look out for Issue 3 where we examine alternative search engines, new career paths for information pros, RSS feed management and Web 2.0 content for intranets. |
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Economic Forecasts and Chinese Company Information
in VIP <http://web.vivavip.com/go/vip/ > Searching for information on financial services indicators and forecasts? VIP's February issue analyses and reviews what's on offer ... Plus an in-depth focus on QIN: researching and analysing Chinese companies. Order your copy today (GBP 54), or start your subscription now:
<http://www.vivavip.com/order/>
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| My Favourite TipplesBy
Gia Marie Gorbold - < http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/> - Everybody's PC that has Windows is pre-installed with Internet Explorer. You might try changing your web browser to Firefox because it's faster, more secure and has tabbed browsing by default (allowing you to keep lots of websites open at the same time without having to open IE everytime). Firefox also has lots of free plug-ins that expand its capabilities (e.g. ad and pop-up blockers)
- < http://babelfish.altavista.com/> Free translation of text or website to and from a multitude of languages.
- < http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm> - The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been making the curriculum for all of its courses available on the Internet. That's free lecture notes, exams, textbook recommendations and even the occasional video from more than 1800 courses as taught by one of the most prestigious US universities.
- < http://www.digitaldutch.com/unitconverter> - converts almost any unit of measurement to another. Even if you want to measure something really obscure, such as how many parsecs there are in a mile.
- < http://www.huffingtonpost.com> - For political and gossip junkies. A collection of blogs and links to other (predominantly US) news outlets like the New York Times and the Washington Post. Its main appeal is that it manages to get blogs from people who don't (or shouldn't) have the time to maintain their own blogs to opine on the hot topics of the day - i.e. US senators, presidential candidates. It also gets good writers to blog for them, presumably, for free.
- < http://www.marketmanila.com>. A plug for Filipino cuisine - the anonymous MarketMan writes very well about food, takes excellent photos, has the occasional rant and seems to have absolutely no money- making agenda. There aren't any ads in the site, no plugs for his own cookbook or restaurant (he doesn't have any) and he refuses to take money from readers based abroad for the charities which he runs in the Philippines.
Gia Marie Gorbold is a journalist and magazine editor and has edited a diverse range of titles from computers to industrial production. Back to top ^ |
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Regional Research Series: Jump-Start Your Project
with an Insider's View < http://web.fumsi.com/go/report/find/> FUMSI Regional Research Reports will help research projects get off to the right start, by highlighting quality sources -- free and paid -- for research in key regions. Now available: European Union and Middle East/North
Africa. Coming soon: Asia Pacific and Latin America Read more and purchase online. 50% discount for FUMSI subscribers. |
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Widgets: Internet Sushi for the Web 2.0 Crowd
Webcast on 13th March, 2008 at 4.00pm GMT Join Thomas Dopko, Dow Jones Sr. Content Developer, Media Designer and Global Technical Trainer for a guided tour of many practical uses for the widget in current technological playgrounds and work environments and be ready to dazzle with your new widgetry know- how. Register for the webcast now <http://digbig.com/4wkfa> |
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| FreePint BarBy
Monique Cuvelier < http://www.freepint.com/bar> The FreePint Bar is generously sponsored by Dow Jones Factiva  Snoozing power stations and the popularity of meat snacks are just two of the more lively discussions at the FreePint Bar. You can see summaries of a few highlights below, but read the full threads at <http://www.freepint.com/bar/>.
- Do power stations dream of electric sheep? That's what one Bar member may discover in a project that aims to capture knowledge of power stations that are being 'hybernated' for decades. Read more on this interesting thread <http://www.freepint.com/go/b262724 >.
- You Most people find it fairly easy to track revisions and changes in Microsoft Word documents and other applications, but that doesn't mean everyone knows how to follow a standard for the practice. One FreePinter is wondering if there's a way to properly identify meanings of redlines and bluelines. One suggestion: ISO 15489. If you have ideas, share them at < http://www.freepint.com/go/b261504>.
- Finding the market size and share for classified directory advertising services seems like a fairly straightforward task. However, not only has one 'Pinter's search for that information ended up in dead ends, it's simultaneously sparked an active discussion on the Bar < http://www.freepint.com/go/b258428>.
- Beef jerky, pork rinds and long-life sausages are widely enjoyed, but by just how many? Someone on the Bar is looking for good-quality meat snack reports for free, possibly by Mintel. Ideas <http://www.freepint.com/go/b263492 >?
- You might be from England, but that might not be an internationally recognised nationality. You might be officially British. A Barista is seeking a comprehensive list of these nationalities she can potentially use as the basis for a pick-list. What's the definitive list <http://www.freepint.com/go/b261073 >?
Sign up for the twice-weekly Bar Digest at < http://www.freepint.com/subs/>.
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/ >. Back to top ^ |
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| | | | FUMSI FeaturesFUMSI 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: "Web 2.0 + Intranet: Connected Users"
FUMSI: Share The buzz on Web 2.0 applications in the workplace is nearly deafening, but how are companies really putting all that user generated content to work? Helen Day gives a view of how BT uses discussion forums, blogs, RSS feeds and wikis of Web 2.0 on their corporate intranet. WHAT'S INSIDE: 'BT has a very positive attitude to trying these newer technologies, often testing them through small, lightweight 'beta' style implementations and letting the users drive the development and decision process' Read, print, save or forward this article now » " Nontraditional Careers for Info Pros: Why Consider Alternatives?"
FUMSI: Use The ever-changing landscape of information management means that librarians have career options that they may never have anticipated. Rachel Singer Gordon provides a helpful approach for evaluating non-traditional career opportunities and staying relevant in existing positions. WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Many people do choose librarianship with the feeling that this profession feeds something in their soul, that it allows them to make a difference in the world. This makes the decision to leave the field even more wrenching, and more complicated than simply switching one job for another.' 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 » Back to top ^ |
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| Jinfo - Jobs in Information 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: - Web Development Executive
In a world class London College you will play an integral role in the continued development and day to day maintenance of the website.
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8673>
- Knowledge Management Information Officer
6 month role in Nottingham, enquiry work and acquiring resources for an energy company.
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8686 >
- Know How Manager
Excellent opportunity for a Know How Manager to join a Sheffield based legal team on a permanent full time basis.
Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
< http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8689>
- Senior Researchers (2) - Private Equity area
Relevant Financial Services sector experience and business gravitas to work closely with consultants on assignments.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8667 >
[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/> Back to top ^ |
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| Develop Your Strengths with Quantum2  For a wide array of hands-on training and resource materials, turn to Quantum2, an innovative skills development programme provided *free* by Thomson Scientific. The programme helps information professionals: - Expand your services through strategic and business competencies
- Improve flow of information in your organisation
- Gain visibility and build value for your work
Discover best practices, *plus* the know-how to implement them.
Free monthly newsletter and further information at:
< http://scientific.thomson.com/
quantum2/> |
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*** Adding staff this year? Recruit on Jinfo!
*** < http://www.jinfo.com/> A cost-effective listing on Jinfo reaches active and passive candidates with the skills you need. Include a FUMSI category, and your vacancy will also be included on the FUMSI website and FUMSI Magazine for even broader reach! Get started today: <http://www.jinfo.com/recruit/ >
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| Recently in VIP
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: 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. Back to top ^ |
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| Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker 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:
Forbes is just out with ITS annual ranking of billionaires from around the globe. Review the Complete List and sort by: - Rank
- Name
- Citizenship
- Age
- Worth
- Residence
Of special note this year is that the Founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, made the list with a worth estimated at $1.5 billion. He is ranked at #785 overall. Zuckerberg is also listed as the youngest billionaire at the age of 23. Full posting with live links at: <http://digbig.com/4wnwc> 
DocuTicker publishes citations of full-text, free reports available on the web. Visit daily for new postings, or subscribe to the weekly DocuTicker
Newsletter.
Highlights: - New reports on business spending on technology infrastructure, draft electronic authentication guidelines, electronic records preservation and identity management systems: <http://www.docuticker.com/?cat=8 >
- News from the GAO, CEO pay and the mortgage crisis and pension compliance procedures are highlighted in this section: <http://www.docuticker.com/?cat=9 >
- A report from the Bureau of Labour Statistics on The Employment Situation - January 2008 and the US Government Budget for FY09: < http://www.docuticker.com/?cat=66>
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| EventsIt 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: - "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:
 United States:
*** Submit your event for free promotion ***
New upgrade option for enhanced listing coverage <http://www.freepint.com/events/ >
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| Gold A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in previous years: - FreePint No. 225, 8th March 2007. "All tied up? Escaping the Tangle of Red Tape" and "Business Information Trends: The Times They Are a-Changin'" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/080307.htm>
- FreePint No. 201, 2nd March 2006. " http://www.freepint.com/issues/160206.htm" and "MP3s, Podcasts and all that" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/020306.htm>
- FreePint No. 178, 10th March 2005. "Health Information Sources for Non-Health Professionals" and "Tracking Youth Trends On The Web" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/100305.htm>
- FreePint No. 155, 4th March 2004. "Taking control of your PC" and "Librarians and The War On Terror" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/040304.htm>
- FreePint No. 132, 6th March 2003. "And the winner is ... Our experience with selecting a CMS" and "Information Literacy in a Corporate Environment" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/060303.htm>
- FreePint No. 107, 7th March 2002. "Fossicking for Information ... or ... What to do on Sixpence" and "The Death of the Intranet. Long Live the Corporate Portal Quantifying ROI" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/070302.htm>
- FreePint No. 82, 1st March 2001. "Electric Power Information Sources on the Web" and "Putting your money where your mouse is - online charities" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/010301.htm>
- FreePint No. 57, 2nd March 2000. "Travel related websites" and "Chemistry Webzines - How to find the right news for you" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/020300.htm>
- FreePint No. 33, 4th March 1999. "12 Offline Ways of Promoting Your URL" and "Data Privacy Web Sites" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/040399.htm>
- FreePint No. 9, 5th March 1998. "But what is it good for?" and "Market Research Information On The Internet" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/050398.htm>
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| ForthcomingFORTHCOMING ARTICLES
[Provisional] - Legal Research
- Finding Government Information
- Using information effectively for a developing business
- Identity theft
- How to become an environmentally friendly organisation
- Due diligence research
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/> Back to top ^ |
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| Contact InformationAddress: 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: Gia Marie Gorbold, Helen Day, Rachel Singer Gordon, 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: Dowjones Factiva, Thomson Scientific, Weekes Gray Recruitment, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, VIP, ResourceShelf, DocuTicker, Jinfo.
(c) Free Pint Limited 1997-2008 <http://www.freepint.com/>
Technology by Willco < http://www.Willco.com/> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your subscriptions or password, visit < http://www.freepint.com/subs/> or email <support@freepint.com>. For details about contributing, advertising or to see past issues, please visit the Web site at < http://www.freepint.com/>. Please note: FreePint (ISSN 1460-7239) is a registered trademark of, and published by, Free Pint Limited. The publishers will NEVER make the subscriber list available to any other company or organisation. The opinions, advice, products and services offered herein are the sole responsibility of the contributors. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. This publication may be freely copied and/or distributed in its entirety. However, individual sections MAY NOT be copied and/or distributed without the prior written agreement of the publishers. Write to Robin Neidorf, Managing Editor, <robin.neidorf@freepint.com> for more details. Product names used in FreePint are for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners. FreePint disclaims any and all rights in those marks. All rights reserved. FreePint is published by Free Pint Limited, registered in England and Wales. Registered Number: 3754418. Registered Office: Delaport Coach House, Lamer Lane, Wheathampstead, Herts, AL4 8RQ Back to top ^ |
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