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22nd January 2009
No.269
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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 Sara Waddington
 The effective sharing and re-use of information is a theme of this issue of the FreePint Newsletter.
'Thinking like a user' can be key to the successful design of a website. Hallie Wilfert urges Information Architects to think like users in her article 'Web Analytics and Information Architecture' and explains how to starting using web statistics data to inform information architecture and site design more effectively.
 Web analytics offer quantitative insight into user behaviour. They can be used to benchmark site performance and report to management. But, because web analytics data tells what people do on a website, analytics data should be used to inform and direct more qualitative user research methods such as focus groups or usability tests that tell us why they do what they do.
A growing number of scholarly journal publishers provide RSS feeds for their Tables of Contents (TOCs). It is possible to subscribe to these feeds in order to get the most up-to-date tables of contents for a particular journal or journals. Subscribing to a feed enables someone to not only read the latest TOC, but also to share and re-use the information by publishing it to a blog or adding it as a widget to a website.
In her article 'RSS and Scholarly Journal Tables of Contents: the ticTOCs Project, and Good Practice Guidelines for Publishers', Lisa Rogers describes the activities of the ticTOCs project, a consortium of 14 partners that is developing and piloting a free service where academics, researchers and anyone else can easily keep up-to-date with scholarly journal Tables of Contents (TOCs).
ticTOCs has gathered over 10,000 TOC RSS feeds from over 300 large, medium and small publishers, and has created a searchable directory of the latest Tables of Contents to enable users to search, browse, view and subscribe to TOCs, without needing to be familiar with the concept of RSS. Users can also find TOC feeds for many journals that they are interested in, without having to search numerous different publishers' websites.
New reports and tools for FUMSI subscribers, as well as new Folios, are available from the FUMSI website. 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) 1997-2009
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My Favourite Tipples
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By Karen Loasby
As a lone information architect, I rely on the internet and social networking tools to help me learn about new products and get advice on how to implement them. I've also included a couple of tipples for staying as organised and paper-less as possible.
- The oracle on intranets, Column Two also has good stuff on content management and the increasingly ubiquituous SharePoint too
- Lou Rosenfeld's roadmap is a few years old now but it is still an elegant starting point to kick off formulating your enterprise information architecture strategy
- SEOMoz is my defence against misguided metadata enthusiasts who want to tag everything "for Google". This guide to search ranking factors shows them what they really need to focus on for better Google ranking and lets me focus my metadata projects on other goals
- Company Buzz is a nice way to track what people are saying about your company on Twitter and a good tool to introduce if your company is skeptical of the business value of social networks
- If you are a fan of David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' approach to productivity (and you should be) then Vitalist is an online task management tool for you
- Typealyzer is a text classifier but it is mostly for fun. It analyzes your blog (or indeed any blog) and assigns a Myers-Briggs personality to it based on writing style.
Karen Loasby is an Information Architect for the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) and Contributing Editor of the FUMSI Manage practice area. Karen was previously Information Architecture Team Leader in the BBC's Future Media & Technology department, managing a team of 16 information architects. She is a regular presenter at information architecture conferences and writes about information architecture and creativity at www.iaplay.com. Karen can be reached at karen.loasby@fumsi.com
Would you like to add your Favourite Tipples suggestions for the FreePint newsletter or write an article for FUMSI (Find, Use, Manage or Share Information?).
If so, please contact Sara Waddington at sara.waddington@freepint.com with your ideas or visit http://www.freepint.com/author/
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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 Dialog. 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://quantum.dialog.com/
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FreePint Bar
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By Sara Waddington
Satellite images, IT statistics, royalty-free maps, OI 2008 report and shareware marketing 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.
The FreePint Bar is generously sponsored by Mark Logic and Dialog.
- One 'Pinter requests help to find a website (ideally free, but may pay if no choice) where he can source very recent aerial photos of parts of Somerset (UK)
- One Bar member is trying to find statistics that support a relative shift from spending on plant to spending on IT by companies in the UK over the last 10-15 years
- Another 'Pinter is looking for royalty-free maps of European cities in vector format
- Another 'Pinter has requested help with shareware marketing - specifically, to help encourage downloads of software trials on a website
- The FreePint Online Information 2008 Special Report is now available. FreePint asked participants at the event to submit their impressions, ideas and observations, and organised their responses in this PDF report. The report is free upon request at http://www.freepint.com/events/online-info-2008/rsvp.htm.
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.
Become a fan of FUMSI on Facebook
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:
Web Analytics and Information Architecture
FUMSI: Manage
Web analytics might be considered a web designer's best friend, because it provides a quick and quantifiable means of interpreting user behaviour. But too many Information Architects still need a reminder to 'think like a user'. Hallie Wilfert explains how to starting using web statistics data to inform information architecture and site design more effectively.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Many designers balk at using web analytics because they are intimidated by the numbers and the potential complexity of the analysis. I will share a little secret with you - you do not need to be a statistician to use or interpret web analytics. What you do need to be is a good interpreter - something that most IAs already are, because what analytics tell you is the story of your website over time.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now. »
RSS and Scholarly Journal Tables of Contents: the ticTOCs Project, and Good Practice Guidelines for Publishers
FUMSI: Share
What do you get when you combine RSS technology with the Table of Contents of scholarly journals? An efficient way to keep up to date, share and re-use information - as long as the feed is designed properly. Lisa Rogers shares her experiences with the ticTOCs project and provides a roadmap for success.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Subscribing to a feed enables someone to not only read the latest TOC, but also to share and re-use the information by publishing it to their blog or adding it as a widget to their website. In theory, therefore, anyone can keep fully up-to-date with all the scholarly journals they want. However, as I have found from my work on the ticTOCs project, it isn't always that easy.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Also recently Added to the FUMSI Database:
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New FUMSI Report: Federated Search Report and Tool Kit
Maximise access to and use of *all* your resources -- explore federated search!
Author Jill Hurst-Wahl provides guidance on research, team development, due diligence and implementation and measurement. 10 hands-on activities take you from planning through completion.
FUMSI Subscribers: 50% off list prices!
Learn more and purchase at http://web.fumsi.com/go/report/manage/1178
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VIP Features
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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. 61 includes:
- In the Spotlight: OneSource chief marketing officer Sham Sao talks to VIP about the company's strategy for staying at the head of a crowded field; and Jill Fenton casts an expert eye over the UK OneSource Business Browser
- Awards Time: News on this year's award from IWR and industry rankings from FinTech
- The ongoing evolution of wikis at Sun Microsystems
- Hope for Humans: Recent reports suggest a revival of the human element in business and finance which could be good news for information professionals in troubled times.
In the next VIP: We look at SSRN.
Purchase VIP issue no. 61 from the VIP website, or start your subscription now.
Receive headlines from industry press releases in your inbox every week, and click through to view the entire release. The VIP Wire is the place to collect your industry news subscribe for free at http://www.vivavip.com/order/digest/
Recent posts:
Request a sample issue of VIP, or start a trial subscription today for only GBP 80 for three months. Visit http://www.vivavip.com/sample.html to request a sample or start your trial.
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Stay in Touch with Demand for Talent
http://www.jinfo.com/
Subscribe to the free weekly Jinfo Jobs Update to stay informed about vacancies. Know the value of your skills, whether or not you are currently seeking a new role.
Free to subscribe now: http://www.jinfo.com/subs/
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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 Dialog. Learn more at <http://quantum.dialog.com/>.
Here is a selection of the latest featured entries in the Jinfo database:
- Learning and Teaching Librarian
An academic library requires a Learning and Teaching Librarian for an 8 month role. Duties include...
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
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Market Research / Analyst - SOUTHAMPTON
Knowledge Management career opportunity for bright experienced person with initiative
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Do you have experience with Talis LMS?
We work with a London Borough who has a regular requirement for Library Assistants to work on an ad...
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
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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| Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker
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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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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:
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*** Submit your event for free promotion ***
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<http://www.freepint.com/events/>
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Gold
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A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in previous years:
- FreePint No. 245, 24th January 2008. "Have a Beta-test Mind -- Just Do It!" and "The Leaving Employee"
- FreePint No. 222, 18th January 2007. "Public Eye: Using Eye Tracking Software To Improve the Usability of Your Website" and "Risk Management Report: An Essential Toolkit for Businesses"
- FreePint No. 198, 19th January 2006. "Engineering: the changing information landscape" and "Trends in business information, provision and use"
- FreePint No. 175, 27th January 2005. "Professional Networking Online" and "Business awards: a review of the UK market"
- FreePint No. 152, 22nd January 2004. "Choosing and Changing Your Web Host" and "Global Resources for Forest Information"
- FreePint No. 129, 23rd January 2003. "Deep Linking" and "The 8 A's of Information"
- FreePint No. 104, 24th January 2002. "Winter Olympic Adventures Online" and "Using Wireless Technology - where does the library fit in?"
- FreePint No. 79, 18th January 2001. "Internet Resources for the Voluntary Sector" and "Online Business News: A Tale of Boom and Bust?"
- FreePint No. 54, 20th January 2000. "Search Engine Promotion" and "Architecture: the science and art of finding it on the Web"
- FreePint No. 30, 21st January 1999. "Information quality on the Internet" and "Computer Assisted Journalism"
- FreePint No. 6, 22nd January 1998. "Diagnosing Web Problems" and "The Best Medical Information on the Web"
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Forthcoming
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FORTHCOMING ARTICLES
[Provisional]
FUMSI
- Finding People
Competitive Intelligence
- Federated Search Blogging
- Search Engines
VIP
- LexisNexis interview
- ISI Emerging Markets
- SSRN
- Interview with EIU
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:
Sara Waddington (Senior Managing Editor, FreePint), Hallie Wilfert, Lisa Rogers, Karen Loasby, Nancy Davis Kho (Copyeditor), Robin Neidorf (General Manager), William Hann (Publisher), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).
Advertisers/Sponsors:
Quantum2 from Dialog, Mark Logic, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, FUMSI, VIP, Jinfo.
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