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19th March 2009
No.273
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About FreePint
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FreePint publishes newsletters, websites, magazines and resources for the information industry. The FreePint Family of publications publishes practical tips, product reviews, expert tips, research collections and hands-on tools to support information work of all kinds. The FreePint Bar provides a Q&A forum for getting your research questions answered and building a network of peers worldwide.
This twice-monthly free FreePint Newsletter serves as a guide to the latest content, including discussion at the Bar, tips articles, vacancies, professional development events, product reviews, editorial commentary and more. Subscribing is free and connects you with the information community around the world. Subscribe today.
The latest announcements, including publication contents, can always be found at the FreePint Feed. Subscribe to RSS for the FreePint Feed for fastest updates.
Please share FreePint with others by forwarding this newsletter.
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Editorial
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By Sara Waddington
 Focused and highly targeted research techniques are the focus of this issue of the FreePint Newsletter.
Adrian Janes highlights the importance of using specialised search engines, in his Find article 'Engineering Results: Some Alternative Search Engines'. He looks beyond the 'Big Four' of search to the lesser-known search and metasearch engines with smaller, but more focused, indexes which offer speed and simplicity.
 As well as search engines which specialise in order to explore a subject more deeply, there is a significant trend to involve users either through customisation or recommendations. In such ways, search engines are taking certain aspects of the Web 2.0 outlook and coupling it with search capabilities of varying degrees of power. But it is precisely because no one search engine can index all the Web that this variety should be actively embraced.
The right research techniques can also provide the basis for a winning fundraising strategy, as Margaret King explains in her Use article, 'Research: A Strategy for Raising $1 Million'. She outlines how a multi-faceted research process was used to identify private US-based foundations to support a client's project. Research - both and secondary - was crucial to help identify relationships (many of which the client didn't know existed) and to develop strategies to further cultivate both old and new funding sources. It is clear, she says, that it is not enough to do research - you must also be willing and able to apply it.
FreePint recently announced a programme to support information professionals experiencing unplanned career gaps. Free subscriptions to our premium publications (VIP and FUMSI) are available to professionals made redundant or out of work due to business closures. FreePint is also sponsoring two memberships in SLA - we pay your membership dues for a year.
Sara Waddington
Senior Managing Editor
FreePint
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2009
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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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My Favourite Tipples
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By Steve Lee
Here are some useful tools and resources for web editors and content managers.
- Lorem Ipsum is a handy source for the infamous dummy text when you're designing or mocking up a page - generate the paragraphs, words, bytes or lists you need quickly and easily.
- Webmonkey Reference Pages: the reference pages of this wiki provide resources including HTML and special character cheatsheets (quick reference guides), guides to stylesheets and a glossary of key terms and acronyms.
- The articles and resources sections of the WebAIM website provide advice on many aspects of web accessibility, including much useful information from the user's perspective.
- W3C Markup Validation Service is a free service from W3C that checks the coding of Web pages and other documents in many mark-up languages - you can check your content by URL, File Upload or Direct Input.
Steve Lee is HR Intranet Manager at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) in the UK. He's previously held a range of internet and intranet editorial and information management posts with UK Trade & Investment, the DTI and the Technology Strategy Board.
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://web.freepint.com/go/family/contribute>.
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FreePint Bar
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By Sara Waddington
Tools for taxonomy creation, people data, reference management software systems and data protection 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.
FreePint Bar
- One 'Pinter requests help with the set-up of a taxonomy creation exercise. To enhance intranet search functionality, he would like to provide his content authors with an exercise that will assist in the creation of a taxonomy to implement Custom Keywords to sites, pages and documents.
- One Bar member is trying to find any free sources which list the contact names for local authority chief executives. Sources for other public sector contacts (eg NHS) would also be useful.
- Another 'Pinter has requested help with data protection issues for directory-type information through different media (websites, kiosks etc).
- Can you offer a Barista suggestions on available and easy-to-use free reference management software systems? Can anyone recommend suitable free software for Windows?
- Another 'Pinter would welcome comments from the Bar on a source of information on business/SME energy consumption in the UK. Data required includes consumption per business type etc.
Visit the FreePint Bar »
FreePint Feed
The FreePint Feed keeps you up to date on what's new across all the sites in the FreePint Family.
Visit the FreePint Feed »
Sara Waddington is Senior Managing Editor of FreePint. She can be contacted at sara.waddington@freepint.com
The FreePint Bar is where you can get free help with your tricky research questions.
Subscribe to the free FreePint Digest to receive a weekly update of the latest Bar discussion, plus FreePint Feed announcements.
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KYC regulations are serious business
VIP reviews two products that can help you maintain compliance
Plus the latest commentary from the LiveWire, an exclusive interview with Robin Bew of EIU, and more
Learn more and purchase Issue No. 63 now: http://web.vivavip.com/go/vip/
Or start your trial subscription for only GBP 80 for 3 months: http://www.vivavip.com/sample.html
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The Market for Info Skills has Changed...
So has Jinfo!
Check out expanded offering - professional development events as well as vacancies: http://www.jinfo.com/
How can we enhance Jinfo further? Help us with your suggestions by completing our brief survey: http://digbig.com/4yknr
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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:
Engineering Results: Some Alternative Search Engines
FUMSI: Find
Familiarity and habit may drive searchers to the 'Big Four' of search engines but, as Adrian Janes has discovered, there are a number of country- and topic-driven search engines that may do the job more efficiently. This article highlights a few of his favourites that, for reasons of focus or design, have an edge on the household name search engines.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'The term Deep (or Invisible) Web seems to have largely fallen out of use, yet the continuing explosion of computer-based data makes the problem of accessing it as pertinent as ever. It would be wonderful if a concerted effort was made along the lines of Mednar in all other subject areas, says Adrian Janes, and then brought together in a unified form.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Research: A Strategy for Raising $1 Million
FUMSI: Use
Research, fundraiser, strategist? In her role as a specialist in fundraising support, Marge King does all three. She illustrates the multifaceted nature of her work, and the skill set crucial to success, with this case study of her efforts to leverage primary and secondary research sources to help a client navigate the fundraising process.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Looking back through the process, it is clear that it is not enough to do research; you must also be willing and able to apply it. We were able to develop realistic strategies to approach the targeted list of funders because of the systematic methods we used to gather information.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Also recently added to the FUMSI database:
Browse all FUMSI articles »
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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 Magazine No.63
- A Trusted Brand: Robust methodology and rigorous editorial independence make the Economist Intelligence Unit an especially trusted brand, its editorial director and chief economist Robin Bew tells VIP's Tim Buckley Owen.
- Know Your Customer: Penny Crossland looks in depth at two leading due diligence services, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance and LexisNexis Know Your Customer.
- Drawing the Line: Companies usually shy away from suing their own customers, but in deciding to take legal action in the US against the private equity firm Blackstone for alleged multiple uses of its ft.com log-in, the Financial Times seems to believe that a line has been crossed.
- On the Grapevine: Press and technical blogs have been abuzz with news that the .tel domain has been opened up for sale to the public; and other product news.
VIP Magazine No.63 »
In the next VIP: NexisDirect and BBC Monitoring E-Mail Services
Purchase VIP Issue No. 63 from the VIP website, or start your subscription now.
VIP LiveWire
VIP contributing editors comment daily on what's happening in the industry.
Visit the LiveWire for their insights, and subscribe to the free VIP Wires Weekly for regular alerts.
Recent posts:
- Intellectual property is one of the most valuable assets a company owns, and for information professionals there can be a tension between respecting a company's intellectual ownership of copyright and a need to pass on information to users.......
Direct link to posting: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e16920
- We are used to personal information being made public via social networking sites, now corporate data has become more accessible with the launch of The Official Board, a new corporate wiki.......
Direct link to posting: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e16917
- Trade and business publications are under threat as never before. Print versions are dying because there's not the advertising to support them, the give-away approach that's been initially necessary to tempt readers to the........
Direct link to posting: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e16896
VIP
LiveWire »
VIP Wire
Information-related product and news announcements. Post your
releases and receive news FREE.
VIP Wire »
VIP - Subscribe
and Back Issues
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. Purchase back-issues of VIP from the VIP Archive.
VIP Archive »
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Apply for FreePint's SLA Membership Award
Up to 2 free memberships in SLA, in partnership with the European chapter of SLA.
Read about the award and submit your application - deadline is 30 April 2009:
http://web.freepint.com/go/how/award/
Don't forget to RSVP for the SLA Annual Conference: Learn where to meet FreePint editors, and get your copy of the FreePint SLA Special Report upon publication in July!
Learn more about SLA and the annual conference on the SLA Website.
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Find Your Focus
Subscribe to FUMSI Focus for Free!
Monthly update with favourite web resources from our FUMSI Contributing Editors
Plus highlights from FUMSI offerings
Learn more and subscribe »
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Jinfo - Jobs and Events in Information
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 Jinfo is the central location for supporting your information career. The Jinfo Jobs database lists vacancies, and the Jinfo Events database lists workshops, conferences, training, webinars and other professional development opportunities.
Start a free subscription to receive the weekly Jinfo Update, with a complete list of the latest vacancies, or search the databases 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/>.
Jinfo Jobs:
Here is a selection of the latest featured vacancies in the Jinfo database:
- Senior Document Controller
Oil & Gas industry experience? Document control/records management skills & experience? This job could be ideal
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
- Information Policy Advisor
Support the British Council's reputation by providing professional advice and business assurance in the field of information governance and compliance.
Recruiter: British Council
Country: United Kingdom
- Archives Change Manager - Berkshire
Records and Archives Manager to work in new position in Berkshire.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Assistant Librarian
This is an excellent opportunity for an Assistant Librarian to join a Leeds based central government department
Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Learning Resources Centre Supervisor
An academic establishment is urgently seeking Learning and Services Supervisor. Requires Library/Information qualification and ability to supervise staff.
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
Browse all Jinfo
Jobs »
Jinfo Events:
Here is a selection of the latest featured events in the Jinfo database:
Browse all Jinfo
Events »
Jinfo - the best place for information-related job vacancies and professional development opportunities.
- RECRUITING?
- Advertise a vacancy for just GBP 195
- 10% discount for agencies
- 50% discount for registered charities
- RUNNING AN EVENT?
List it on Jinfo to reach a targeted audience seeking professional development opportunities
- Get started at <http://web.jinfo.com/events/load/>
- Partner events listed for free; enquire at <support@jinfo.com>.
Find out more today at <http://www.jinfo.com/>
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| Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker
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Gold
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A look back at what the FreePint Newsletter covered at this time in previous years:
- FreePint No. 248, 13th March 2008. "Web 2.0 + Intranet: Connected Users" and "Nontraditional Careers for Info Pros: Why Consider Alternatives?"
- FreePint No. 226, 22nd March 2007. "Finding Facts: The European Union after 50 Years" and "Moving Up: Vertical Search Proliferates"
- FreePint No. 202, 16th March 2006. "Save yourself! Free resources for organising, maintaining and sharing the fruits of your web searches" and "Characterising the dragon - undertaking research in China"
- FreePint No. 179, 24th March 2005. "New Librarians and Open Positions: Bringing the Two Together" and "Key issues in complying with Freedom of Information legislation"
- FreePint No. 156, 18th March 2004. "Information Sources For Childcare On The Web" and "Curious about Clio? History and Historians on the Web"
- FreePint No. 133, 20th March 2003. "Military History on the Internet" and "Librarians & Comics"
- FreePint No. 108, 21st March 2002. "An introduction to the Netherlands on the web" and "Evolution or revolution: the future of scholarly publishing"
- FreePint No. 83, 15th March 2001. "XML - the DNA of the Internet" and "Freedom of Information"
- FreePint No. 58, 16th March 2000. "Portals" and "WWW.OED.COM - A New Home for the Dictionary"
- FreePint No. 34, 18th March 1999. "Pharmaceutical/health information on the Web" and "Who goes there...? - Access Control Issues for Internet-based information services"
- FreePint No. 10, 19th March 1998. "Working the Net" and "Business and Accounting Resources on the Web"
FreePint Newsletter Archive »
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| Forthcoming Articles - Provisional
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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), Steve Lee, Adrian Janes, Margaret King, Nancy Davis Kho (Copyeditor), Robin Neidorf (General Manager), William Hann (Publisher), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).
Advertisers/Sponsors:
Quantum2 from Dialog, Mark Logic, British Council, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, Weekes Gray Recruitment, Perfect Information, STN Agency UK/Ireland, ISKO UK.
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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
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