|
11th September 2008
No.260
|
About FreePint
|
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/>.
|
|
|
Editorial
|
By Sara Waddington
 The information industry will continue to evolve and adapt to the new opportunities, technological advances and challenges afforded by digital media, whether it be for exacting due diligence research or the dissemination of imagery to an even wider client base.
Constantly evolving websites and web-based tools have given due diligence researchers an armoury of resources up their 'virtual research sleeves', painstakingly built up over a long period of time because the focus of each project can be totally different. Michele Bate explores this further in her article 'Research: A Diligent Approach'.
 A meticulous eye for detail, constant curiosity and good recall (for making connections between scraps of information) are all the marks of a good due diligence researcher. Luckily, new software and online tools can help to overcome the challenges.
Similarly, the advent of digital technology has revolutionised how libraries operate in the last ten years. Sarah McDonald discusses this in her article 'Selling Photographs in the Digital Age'. Speed of delivery and reduced costs, combined with global reach via the internet, are the most obvious benefits of the digital age - and rapidly developing technologies create new outlets and uses such as podcasts and multimedia streams.
Picture agencies are seeing that a value added, service-led approach, including rights clearing services, pre-packaged and exclusive imagery, are highly attractive to deadline- and budget-driven image buyers in this digital age of ours.
Don't forget that a raft of new reports and tools, as well as new Folios for FUMSI subscribers, are available from the FUMSI website. You might also catch up with us at the European Day of Languages on 26 September in London.
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
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2008
|
|
|
|
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/
|
|
|
|
Online Information International Conference 2008
Information at the Heart of Business
2-4 December, Olympia, London, UK
http://www.online-information.co.uk/promo/freepint2
Learn from information leaders from around the globe including
Natalie Ceeney, Jenny Levine, JP Rangaswami and Stephen E. Arnold
plus keynote from Clay Shirky, author of Here Comes Everybody
**Super Early Bird Discount ends 19 Sept**
|
|
|
My Favourite Tipples
|
By Alison McNab
I have recently been asked by a number of friends to explain and demonstrate RSS, blogging, Facebook and other Web 2.0 applications in a non-technical way. Here are some resources that I use:
- For visual learners, the "...in Plain English" series of video tutorials (including blogging, RSS, social bookmarking, social networking, and wikis) from Lee and Sachi LeFever is a great place to start.
- The BBC's News feeds from the BBC webpage gives a basic but clear overview of using, adding and creating newsfeeds from a website with which everyone is familiar.
- The "7 Things You Should Know About..." series from EDUCAUSE provides concise information on learning practices and technologies for those who want more detail. Topics include Twitter, Wikipedia and Facebook.
- The Google add-on Picasa is an easy way to edit digital photos. I particularly like the "BlogThis!" feature which makes it simple to upload photos directly to Blogger.
- Finally, I can't resist publicising Supermarket 2.0: the more you know about Web 2.0, the more you'll enjoy this video.
Alison McNab is ILS Co-ordinator at the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences (HEA-ICS). She has over twenty years experience working with e-content, mainly in academic libraries.
Back to top ^
|
|
|
|
Taxonomy and SharePoint: A Powerful Combination
Thursday, 11 September; 11:00a.m. US Eastern Time
Register Today!
SharePoint connects people to business-critical information and
increases productivity by reducing information overload. Taxonomies
help your employees find relevant content - faster - across a wide
range of repositories and formats.
Understanding and using Taxonomies in your SharePoint implementation
is an essential part of ensuring a successful deployment. In this
session you will learn:
- How to create a simple but effective taxonomy for your SharePoint
implementations.
- Best practices for building and implementing taxonomy within
a SharePoint environment.
|
|
|
|
Information Management Solutions Exhibition
2-4 December 2008, Olympia Grand Hall, London
Register free at http://www.online-information.co.uk/promo/freepint1
IMS is the leading exhibition for professionals who need to
drive business performance through effective information management.
Over 70 exhibitors and more than 50 seminars covering:
Content Management, Search Solutions and Web 2.0 Technologies
|
|
|
FreePint Bar
|
By Sara Waddington
The
FreePint Bar is generously sponsored by Dow Jones Factiva
Reports on the information industry, data storage, news consumption and business card design 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.
- One Bar member wants to find a report that details the growth of the information provision industry over the past ten years, ideally evaluating the major players (Bloomberg, Reuters etc) as well as the smaller ones. Can you help?
- Another Barista is looking for suggestions on database alternatives to Access (other than Excel) for his short term data storage requirements.
- A FreePinter would like help with statistics and data on how people consume news and newspapers online as well as offline.
- What are your recommendations for general guidelines on content for business card design? A Barista needs help specifically with card content (not so much graphics and size etc), particularly regarding acceptable qualifications and associations and where they should appear in relation to names.
- Don't forget to access the latest additions to the FreePint events database, which can be found on the Bar.
- VIP Issue No. 57 has now been published, including analysis of the UK Cabinet Office report on Data Handling Procedures in Government, an exclusive interview with LexisNexis UK Managing Director Josh Bottomley and a review of Global Insight's DataInsight, which provides access to, and analysis of, global economic and financial data. Click here for more details.
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/>.
Back to top ^
|
|
|
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:
Research: A Diligent Approach FUMSI: Find
In these times of economic slowdown, reputational management can become more important than ever. Michele Bate shares her approach for performing due diligence to ensure that companies enter new business relationship and undertake key hiring with eyes wide open.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'An article in the British newspaper The Times on 21 February 2008 quoted research by World Check, which found that the names of almost 4,000 directors of British companies appear on international watchlists of alleged fraudsters, money launderers, terror financiers and corrupt officials. Would you want to do business with these people, without checking them out first?'
Read, print, save or forward this article now. »
Selling Photographs in the Digital Age FUMSI: Share
Digital imagery is playing an ever-increasing part of the information management world. Sarah McDonald traces the rise in demand for sources of for digital images, and reminds information professionals that rights management is as important now as it was in the 19th century.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Managing a pre-researched 'editorial calendar' allows libraries to anticipate forthcoming anniversaries, birthdays and events months ahead and have the imagery ready for users before they even know they'll need it. Archives can also provide context for breaking news stories - such as looking back at the rise of the oil industry, or past waves of immigration into Britain, as well as 'softer' tie-ins with timely events such as the Olympic Games.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Also recently Added to the FUMSI Database:
Back to top ^
|
|
|
|
Reuse FUMSI articles for training, marketing, sharing ideas
Browse the database:
http://web.fumsi.com/go/article/
Not sure where to start? Others find these useful:
Sponsor-supported free reuse, or cost-effective ad-free versions
Request information: support@fumsi.com
Or click 'License' at the top of any FUMSI article
|
|
|
|
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:
- Records Manager
Overall responsibility for corporate records, both paper and electronic; variety; familiarity with Gov requirements desired
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
- Field Sales Executive - Northern Europe
Achieve financial targets through sales of electronic, print and microform products
Recruiter: Cengage Learning
Country: United Kingdom
- Retrospective Cataloguer
Calling all northern Scotland candidates! Retrospective cataloguing project, one month or may be extended, will need UDC skills
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
- Records Retention Administrator
Records Management experience, litigation support, and compliance ideally within Banking or Pharma...
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/>
Back to top ^
|
|
|
|
|
|
To blog or not to blog... That is the question.
Get business-oriented answers with the New FUMSI Report: Social Media Tools Report and Tool Kit
Author Patrice Curtis provides organizations with answers rooted in business strategy and goals. 7 hands-on activities create structure, build a business case, and create measurable outcomes with social media tools. Get your questions answered, and make social media tools a strategic part of your communications and community-building plans.
FUMSI Subscribers: 50% off list prices!
Learn more and purchase at http://web.fumsi.com/go/report/
share/1113
|
|
|
|
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 no. 57 includes:
- Required Reading: In the wake of the recent disastrous losses of data by UK Government Departments comes a Cabinet Office report on Data Handling Procedures in Government.
- Beyond Search and Information: LexisNexis UK Managing Director Josh Bottomley explains to VIP's Tim Buckley Owen where the company is going.
- Breadth of Data: Jonathan Gordon-Till looks into Global Insight's DataInsight, which provides access to, and analysis of global economic and financial data.
- Imagine: VIP showcases TFPL's European Business Information Conference (ebic) 2008 in Berlin, on the theme of imagine...connecting with the future'.
In the next VIP: We take a close look at headhunter research tools and IntelliNews.
Purchase this issue from the VIP website, or start your subscription now.
Now publishing the VIP LiveWire
Commentary on the industry, by the VIP editorial team. Get its insight on trends, products, user needs and more. You do not need to subscribe to VIP Magazine in order to receive the free weekly headlines from the LiveWire (learn more and subscribe now).
Recent posts:
- Where We Google, in Russia they Yandex: ...Yandex has recently hit the news because it plans to list its shares on Nasdaq this autumn raising a suggested $2 billion. This would make it Russias largest initial public offering to date in the technology market
Direct link to posting: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e10108
- GfK Withdrew Offer for TNS: ...Originally, GfK (Gesellschaft fuer Konsumforschung, Germany) and TNS (Taylor Nelson Sofres, UK) aimed at a merger of peers by exchanging shares. Due to a hostile takeover bid by WPP (Wire & Plastic Products, UK), GfK changed its strategy from merging with TNS to acquring the company at the beginning of this month. With the help of venture capital investor Apax the acquisition seemed realistic. But Apax had conditions which GfK would not accept resulting in a break up
Direct link to posting: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e10361
- Yes, But Who's Saying It?: Faced with an uncertain future, its natural for information managers to search anxiously for clues to where the diminishing range of growth opportunities may lie. So when three comparatively recent reports all point in the direction of data archive management as one recession-proof activity, perhaps we should sit up and take notice
Direct link to posting: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e10368
Request a sample issue of VIP, or start a trial subscription today for only GBP 80 for three months. Start now and receive our November issue -- featuring our comparative review of The Big Three -- as part of your trial!
Back to top ^
|
|
|
| Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker
|
|
|
|
Gold
|
A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in previous years:
- FreePint No. 237, 13th September 2007. "Survival Guide: Online Social Networking" and "Social Tools for Business Use: Messages from a Web 2.0 Conference"
- FreePint No. 213, 7th September 2006. "Think Globally; Write Locally: What Source Writers Need to Know About Localisation" and "Emulating Web Tools to Become Indispensable to Your Users"
- FreePint No. 190, 8th September 2005. "Analysing User Behaviour: A Case Study" and "The Slow Movement"
- FreePint No. 167, 16th September 2004. "Information Sources For Education On The Web" and "Copyright - how to stay legal"
- FreePint No. 144, 4th September 2003. "Searching Free Design Databases on the Web" and "Informing the Asylum Debate"
- FreePint No. 120, 5th September 2002. "Offshore Funds" and "From Fortune 500 to Handelsblatt's European 500 one year on - another look at some useful European and International Rankings"
- FreePint No. 95, 6th September 2001. "Railways Online in the UK" and "From Fortune 500 to Handelsblatt's European 500 - a look at some useful European and International Rankings"
- FreePint No. 70, 7th September 2000. "A Web of Mental Health" and "Top Sites on the Web for Aeronautics and Aerospace Science and Technology"
- FreePint No. 45, 9th September 1999. "File finding, file filing" and "Intranets and extranets"
- FreePint No. 22, 17th September 1998. "Reverse Psychology - How to find more sites like the ones you love" and "Electronic commerce"
Back to top ^
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Information
|
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:
Sara Waddington (Senior Managing Editor, FreePint), Alison Mcnab, Michele Bate, Sarah McDonald, Robin Neidorf (General Manager), William Hann (Publisher), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).
Advertisers/Sponsors:
Dow Jones Factiva, Scientific business of Thomson Reuters, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, Cengage, VIP, 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 forward this email to <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.
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 ^
|
|
|
United Kingdom:
Australia:
Netherlands:
Germany:
