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5th June 2008
No.254
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About FreePint
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FreePint 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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Editorial
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By William Hann and Robin Neidorf
 'Hidden in plain sight' is one of those phrases that so often leaps to mind with regard to information. Often the challenge isn't 'We don't have the information', but rather 'We can't sort through the information'. The answers are right under our noses, and yet we're seemingly blind to them.
 Information is everywhere -- in plain sight -- but extracting value requires focus. Diana Nutting, well-known to FreePinters for her thoughtful contributions to the Bar, shares her experiences in helping her Business Link staff as well their clients repackage information to increase its value. She discusses the entire feedback loop: listening to clients to understand their real needs, packaging information so that they got exactly what they needed and nothing else, responding to feedback following delivery for continuous improvement. The result is that information remains in plain sight, but is no longer 'hidden'. Business owners can understand it, act on it, and create positive outcomes with it.
 Sometimes it's the sheer volume of information that makes it hard to see -- like being blind to the forest due to the presence of trees. Noted expert on US government resources Peggy Garvin turns those trees back into a forest with her guide to online resources. Her tips relating to surfacing useful state-authored information are of particular use to non-US researchers who may not even be fully aware of this bonanza.
(If government-published information is of value to you, take a minute to check out DocuTicker, a free online resource published by Free Pint Limited, highlighting publications and reports by governments, NGOs and other public interest groups.)
Valuable information from professional events and conferences can be a hidden gem, owing to the overload of information participants experience. Through VIP Magazine, we're trying a new approach to creating value with our coverage of the SLA Annual Conference in Seattle later this month -- inviting participants to report to us in the moment via email, web, phone or fax. If you'll be at SLA, complete our online form to let us know, and we'll provide the mechanism to help you capture and share your insights -- hidden no longer!
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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Attending SLA? Let us know
Tell us you'll be there, and we'll let you know where you can meet up with Free Pint editors and managers.
Contribute your impressions and insights to a special report we'll be publishing in July. Free copy of the full report to all contributors!
Complete our online form today and be in-the-know for SLA: http://www.freepint.com/events/sla-2008/
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Back By Popular Demand:
Handwriting Analysis
Visit Dow Jones Booth 401
SLA Annual Conference
15th - 18th June 2008, Seattle, USA
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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 the Scientific business of Thomson Reuters. 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.thomsonreuters.com/
quantum2/
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My Favourite Tipples
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By Donna Fryer
Here is a list of assorted sites that help me with my business, keeping me up-to-date on the latest technology and searching blogs or articles.
- Webware keeps one abreast of different web related tools: productivity, data-driven, and community tools such as Web 2.0 applications.
- Techcrunch is a blog dedicated to profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies'.
- Technorati allows one to search blogs. It has been around for a long time in the blogosphere and is a leader in blog search.
- Northern Light has been around since 1996 and often I've been able to find articles here that were not found anywhere else.
- Clusty's blog search feature is the feature I use most on this website. Its blog searching combines four blog search engines and then categorizes them using Vivisimo's clustering technology.
Donna Fryer has worked in the information research industry for the past 18 years assisting corporate, legal, private investigator industries, and small to medium-sized business with their research needs. Donna has spoken on a multitude of topics including Competitive Intelligence research, research on the Internet and technology issues, and has developed and taught continuing legal education classes for attorneys and paralegals in the US.
She currently trains targeted research methods to businesses and the legal market for more effective research and to help them overcome information overload. She can be reached at dfryer@searchitright.com.
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FreePint Bar
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By Sara Waddington
 The
FreePint Bar is generously sponsored by Dow Jones Factiva
Acceptable Use Policies, imagery sourcing, languages and country data are hot topics on the Bar. See a round-up of recent
conversations below and click through to join the discussion. Post your research dilemmas to the FreePint Bar
- One FreePinter is currently researching Acceptable Use Policies in school libraries and public libraries in Greater Manchester but is not having a great deal of success. She was wondering if anyone specialises in this area or can point her towards any valuable resources regarding AUPs? See her posting.
- Sourcing images for websites or intranets is not as easy as we might think. One FP Bar member is struggling to find new, and fresh, images for her intranet news section which can be used for this purpose. Do you know of any websites that will allow her to add their images to her intranet?
- Ever wondered how to utter basic greetings in different languages? One Pinter is trying to put together a table of common greetings in different languages.
- Another Bar poster is trying to find out what percentage of the population has learning difficulties - either nationally or by county. Perhaps you can help?
- Looking for specific country data in a specialised area? One Barista is looking for a directory covering Russian companies - more specifically, Russian manufacturers of different emulsions.
Sara Waddington is senior managing editor of Free Pint Ltd. She can be contacted at sara.waddington@freepint.com
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 Features
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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, which are free to read, browse, email, print or save. Here are the most recent additions:
Information Provision: Adding Value FUMSI: Use
Information professionals are faced with constant pressure to prove their contribution to the overall success of an organization. Diana Nutting relays her experience at Business Link in actively listening to customers, both internal and external, to develop an information product making it easier for Business Link advisers to provide excellent customer service.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'We introduced the product in the first place because of a stated need to increase market penetration and improve customer satisfaction. In the quarter following the introduction of Know Before You Go, there was a 14% increase in client perception that we were prepared for first meetings.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now. »
US Government Information on the Internet FUMSI: Find
The founding fathers of the United States designed a system that shared power among three independent government branches. More than 200 years later, it's no surprise that US government information resources are also distributed. Peggy Garvin provides a resource guide for help searchers know where to look for US government information, wherever it resides.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'The US national government has gained much ground since the nation's founding, but states retain more power than researchers from unitary governments may realise. States often lead the way in regulation, as they are currently doing in areas related to climate change. When looking for state-level information, researchers know to turn to unofficial finding aids that centralise the information.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Also recently Added to the FUMSI Database:
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Jinfo - Jobs in Information
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 The Jinfo service enables you to search and advertise information- related job vacancies.
Start a free subscription to receive the weekly Jinfo Jobs Update, with a complete list of the latest vacancies, or search the database at any time (free).
Jinfo Jobs in the FreePint Newsletter are supported through our partnership with Quantum2, an innovative skills development programme offered by the Scientific business of Thomson Reuters. Learn more at <http://scientific.thomsonreuters.com/quantum2/>.
Here is a selection of the latest featured entries in the Jinfo database:
- EDRMS Project Manager
2yr contract to implement EDRMS at public sector organisation in Wales, using your project mgt and system implementation skills
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
- Information Assistant - Tax
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has an excellent opportunity for a Tax Researcher to provide business research support
Recruiter: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Country: United Kingdom
- Learning Centre Manager
An academic library requires a Learning Centre Manager to commence as soon as possible...
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
- Assistant Librarian Part Time
12 month contract for a Part Time Assistant Librarian
Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Research Executive - Legal
Bright Strategic Researcher required for newly created vacancy to provide Business Development support for expanding international Law
Practice.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
[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/>
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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On the Ticker: Use DocuTicker for Full-Text Resources <http://www.docuticker.com/>
Find free full-text reports put out by government agencies, NGOs,
think tanks and other public interest organisations. These include:
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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
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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.
 VIP issue no. 54 includes:
- Market Intelligence: VIP reviews the Euromoney Business Library, the content database from Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC.
- Data Visualisation: Chris Murphy urges researchers and users to take advantage of rich and exciting new data visualisation tools.
- VIP adds a new section on recent company acquisitions.
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.
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Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker
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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:
Resources of the Week: 10 Seriously Useful Firefox Add-ons: Most of the information professionals I know are huge fans of Firefox, mainly because it is so
extensible. The sheer number and variety of add-ons that increase the browsers utility
just staggering. If there is something you wish that Firefox could do, the odds are very good that someone with programming talent had the same thing in mind and has created some sort of extension that adds precisely that functionality.
Since I spend so much of my working existence online, my Firefox browser is seriously pimped out with a stalwart set of add-ons that, collectively, make my life so much easier. The following are road-tested and highly recommended.
Full posting with live links »
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:
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Events
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It is free to search and advertise information-related gatherings in FreePint Events »
Premium listings
These events are hosted by our partner organisations and/or advertisers:
- "Web 2.0 Strategies"
12th June 2008
Web 2.0 Strategies is the UKs leading forum for exploring real-world implementations of web 2.0 and enterprise tools and techniques.
Taking inspiration from web 2.0 itself, the event breaks apart the traditional conference format to create an intensive and highly interactive agenda, which brings together practitioners, expert commentators, 2.0 pioneers and technology gurus.
Speakers & Topics include:
- Opening Keynote: The strategic value of enterprise 2.0 -Dion Hinchcliffe, Business Strategist and Enterprise Architect; Editor-in-Chief, Social Computing Magazine; President & CTO, Hinchcliffe & Company
- James Gardner, Head of Innovation & Research, Lloyds TSB
- Simon Wardley, Independent Consultant
- Johnnie Moore, Facilitator & Marketing Consultant
- Jeff Schick, Vice President, Social Computing Software, IBM
- Artur Bergman, Director of Engineering, Wikia
- Julie Meyer, Founder & CEO, Ariadne Capital
Participants will learn how web 2.0 and enterprise 2.0 are rewiring the way organizations work. Discover what works and what doesnt -- in the real world!
For full programme details and to book your place, visit http://www.web2strategies.co.uk, or contact Lorna Candy on +44 (0) 7316 9649 lorna.candy@incisivemedia.com.
Organised by: Incisive Media
Date: 12th June 2008
Location: Olympia, London
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e1282>
Free listings
Online:
 United Kingdom:
 United States:
 Germany:
 Switzerland:
 South Africa:
*** Submit your event for free promotion ***
New upgrade option for enhanced listing coverage
<http://www.freepint.com/events/>
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Share Your Expertise with a Global Audience
We're constantly seeking case studies, how-to articles, and hands-on
insight to help others find, use, manage and share information at work. Contact any of our editorial team with your suggestions and submissions:
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Gold
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A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in previous years:
- FreePint No. 231, 14th June 2007. "CI: Collaborative Intelligence" and "Vigilant Due Diligence"
- FreePint No. 207, 8th June 2006. "Distance learning as a collaborative enterprise: Tips on teamwork to make the class work" and "Q&A with Christopher Barger, IBM's Blogger-in-Chief"
- FreePint No. 184, 16th June 2005. "Two Views of the SLA Conference, Toronto, June 2005" and "Setting Up as an Independent Consultant"
- FreePint No. 161, 17th June 2004. "The Impact of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Records Management World Wide" and "RSS: Less hype, more action"
- FreePint No. 138, 5th June 2003. "Professional Qualifications in Information and Knowledge Management" and "Writing for the Web - How to Write Web-Friendly Content for your Site"
- FreePint No. 114, 13th June 2002. "Web Site Usability Resources" and "War & Peace, Famine & Disaster - Finding Work in International Development"
- FreePint No. 89, 7th June 2001. "Conference Information and the Internet" and
"Dyslexia Resources"
- FreePint No. 64, 8th June 2000. "Understanding Insurance" and "The Invisible Web"
- FreePint No. 40, 10th June 1999. "Weather Sources on the Web" and "Searching for Mammon - Search engine business models"
- FreePint No. 16, 11th June 1998. "Web Site Marketing - How do they do that?" and "How to run a survey on the Net"
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Forthcoming
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FORTHCOMING ARTICLES
[Provisional]
- EU Documents
- Information needs of small and growing businesses... and how to meet them
- Information Architecture conference coverage
- Copyright Summit conference coverage
- Determining 'Excellence': how one judge made the cut
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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Contact Information
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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:
William Hann (Managing Editor, FreePint), Robin Neidorf (General Manager, FreePint), Donna Fryer, Sara Waddington (Senior Managing Editor, FreePint), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).
Advertisers/Sponsors:
Dow Jones Factiva, Scientific business of Thomson Reuters, Weekes Gray Recruitment, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, 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, General Manager, <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.
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