Jinfo: Newsletter No. 258

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Editorial

By Sara Waddington

Sara Waddington There are times when web-based searching just isn't enough. If you need to kick start your research, narrow it or move it down new avenues, there is one humble and old-fashioned tool that, used in combination with online resources, can lead you to information that spans the globe, subjects and time...... the telephone.

Risa Sacks, in her article 'Search Beyond the Web - When to Pick Up the Phone' extols the merits of the telephone for sourcing, analysing, checking and cataloguing information. Risa specialises in custom tailored phone inquiries in addition to manual and online research - she recently received the prestigious Sue Rugge Memorial Award from the Association of Independent Information Professionals.

Humble and old-fashioned tools It is easy to forget that, in the world before the web, the telephone was the primary communication tool for many of us. It was a far more immediate, and often fruitful, communication tool. Building relationships with people and sourcing information on the phone called for specific skill sets.

The telephone allows you instant access to 'source information' - crucial for analysis and independent insight of information that may have initially been tracked down on the web.

We've all had the experience of finding almost too much information online - especially if some, or all of it, provides conflicting results, statistics and conclusions. If the information you have found on the web is too broad, too narrow, too out-of-date, too complex, too 'soft', too confusing..... that's the perfect time to pick up the phone and call.

However, in this issue, we don't just focus on finding information - we also look at how it is managed. Helen Lippell reports from the Information Architecture (IA) Summit in Florida. As the web and other digital systems move from information then interaction to participation, the interfaces and hardware people use become the conduits. These conduits do not exist in isolation; increasingly, users expect to access services across multiple channels (e.g. web, mobile, email, instant messenger). The design of these channels is fundamental to their success. Information must be managed consistently, across diverse touch-points, in order for it to be found.

Don't forget that VIP magazine has also released its special SLA Show Report. A copy of the report is freely available to all SLA members, as well as VIP and FUMSI subscribers - simply complete this form to request your copy. Non-members and non-subscribers can request a copy when they complete the VIP Sample Request form at http://www.vivavip.com/sample.html - simply note 'SLA Special Report' when asked how you heard about VIP, and we'll include a copy with your sample.

Stay in touch - please send your suggestions, ideas and requests to support@freepint.com, or use our online suggestion box.

Sara Waddington
Senior Managing Editor
Free Pint Limited

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My Favourite Tipples

By Marcy Phelps

Marcy Phelps

While Google and other general-purpose search tools are great for some searches, specialized engines can help focus your search, or display your results in new and useful ways.

Here are a few of my favourite specialized search engines:

Silobreaker searches 10,000 news, blog, research and multimedia sources. In addition to text results, you'll find charts, maps, and other features that illustrate where and when your search topic has been a hot topic - as well as subtopics and how they are connected.
KartOO VISU is a still-in-beta search engine that clusters your results into subtopics and displays them as a map. The subtopics help you narrow your search or understand what's involved with a new or complex topic. The map is a nice touch for those of us who are visual learners.
To search more than one search engine at a time, try Zuula. You can select the search engines you want; tabs separate the results. Zuula allows you to change the order of the tabs, and - this is my favorite part - Zuula doesn't limit the number of results from each search engine.

FreePint Editor's Note: Internet search engines, categorised by topic on a searchable directory, can also be found at SearchEngineGuide. Also listed are resources and tools for exploring the deep web, performing advanced research and learning about using search engine tools and technology.

Marcy Phelps is contributing editor of the 'Find' practice area of FUMSI, the new website and online magazine for those who Find, Use, Manage or Share information from Free Pint Ltd.

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Reading the Technology Tea Leaves: Trends in Media and Information Technologies

The recorded presentation is now available

Join the Dow Jones webcast and hear Greg Merkle, VP and Creative Director, Dow Jones & Company discuss the impact of new technologies and highlights some of the emerging tools that organizations will soon need to adopt. Listen now and feel free to share with others.

In July's Issue of VIP:

Expanding Networks: Social networking in business continues to expand, as corporate information sharing and cloud computing make an increasing impact.

Global Intelligence: Diana Nutting presents in-depth reviews of two fascinating products, BBC Monitoring Online and the Economist Intelligence Units WorldData.

Stateside: Mark Giangrande looks at the North American legal information giants Lexis US and Westlaw US.

The Buzz: As ProQuest acquires Dialog, LexisNexis courts the public sector.

VIP Magazine: premium reviews and analysis for premium content purchasers: http://www.vivavip.com/

FreePint Bar

By Sara Waddington

Sara Waddington The FreePint Bar is generously sponsored by Dow Jones Factiva

Book publishing, company data, internet search and databases are hot topics on the Bar at the moment. See a round-up of recent conversations below and click through to join the discussion. Post your research dilemmas to the FreePint Bar

A librarian member of the Bar is looking for help and advice for a patron who wishes to publish a novel.
Another Pinter, sorting out the affairs of an older relative, has found numerous very old share certificates and needs help finding the companies involved.
Can anyone suggest a way to search the internet for documents or files ending in a particular file extension? One Barista would appreciate a few tips.
Another Bar member is searching for a database of auditors fees - any ideas?
Don't forget to access the latest additions to the FreePint events database, which can be found on the Bar.

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>

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FUMSI Features

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:

Search Beyond the Web: When to Pick Up the Phone.

FUMSI: Find

Online search has come to dominate the information world, but there's one 19th century tool no researcher should be without - the telephone. Risa Banks reminds us of ten situations in which picking up a phone and talking to someone in person is far more effective than any other search tool.

WHAT'S INSIDE: 'In doing due diligence, for example, if all the customers provide very guardedly neutral to negative responses, that's at least a warning sign to dig deeper. And if their voices go from warm and friendly to icy and disdainful in a heartbeat, red flags start waving!'

Read, print, save or forward this article now. »

Experiencing Information: A Personal View of the 2008 Information Architecture Summit.

FUMSI: Manage

Reporting from the 2008 Information Architecture Summit in Miami, Helen Lippell provides highlights of the lively and informative show focused on 'experiencing information.' As IA plays an increasingly critical role in providing information context and connections, participants learned more about how search and discoverability and the connections between digital and physical search are changing IA today.

WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Information architecture creates representations of a system that are different from their reality or instantiation. Metro and Tube maps illustrate this point - they often bear no relation to topography or geography of the city. They are stylised and simplified in order to support people finding their way around the system. Good information design will provide an appropriate level of detail for a map, sitemap or the like.'

Read, print, save or forward this article now »

Also recently Added to the FUMSI Database:

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VIP Special Report -
SLA

SLA Members, VIP and FUMSI Subscribers:
Get your Free Copy of VIP Magazine's SLA Special Report

We asked participants to share their insights, learnings and observations -- the resulting report offers a unique view of the 2008 Annual Conference. Request your free copy today.

FUMSI Tools: Flexible Resources for Information Projects

New from FUMSI:

Individual tools get projects off to a strong start. Purchase individually, or receive *all* tools as part of your FUMSI Subscription.

Jinfo - Jobs in Information

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:

Knowledge Analyst
The Knowledge Analyst will play a key role in identifying, generating and distributing information and intelligence.
Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
Sector Analyst/Researchers (3)
To specialise in either TMT, Retail or Financial Services / Real Estate sectors - SOME HOME WORKING POSSIBLE
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
Knowledge Manager, Life Sciences
A global company, specialising in search assignments for large multi-national corporations is an seeking experienced knowledge manager to work within their life sciences practice area for the EMEA region.
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
Records Manager
Join the UK's leading research agency for social sciences: handle FOI, corporate records, procedures, training staff, compliance
Recruiter: Economic and Social Research Council
Country: United Kingdom
Information Specialist
A registered charity is looking for a temporary Information Specialist for a fixed term contract until March 2011.
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
Senior Information Assistant (Journals / Document Delivery)
Assist in the delivery of responsive and effective Journals/Document Delivery Services, checking in journals, managing binding, scanning interlibrary loans and working on the information desk, giving advice and assistance to users.
Recruiter: Institute of Psychiatry
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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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/>

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: Sample FUMSI Magazines (Issues 1 and 2) And Sample FUMSI Folio: Find, FUMSI Folio: Use and FUMSI Folio: Manage »

Subscribe now to get additional editorial commentary and practice-related content (including Folios) as well as discounts on FUMSI reports and toolkits.

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.

VIP issue 56 VIP issue no. 56 includes:

Expanding Networks: Social networking in business continues to expand, as corporate information sharing and cloud computing make an increasing impact.
Global Intelligence: Diana Nutting presents in-depth reviews of two fascinating products, BBC Monitoring Online and the Economist Intelligence Units WorldData.
Stateside: Mark Giangrande looks at the North American legal information giants Lexis US and Westlaw US.
The Buzz: As ProQuest acquires Dialog, LexisNexis courts the public sector.

In the next VIP: We take a close look at Global Insight Data Insight and Company Information. Purchase VIP issue no. 56 from the VIP website, or start your subscription now: http://web.vivavip.com/go/vip/56

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