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8th March 2012
No.346
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Contents
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Editorial
My Favourite Tipples
FreePint Bar
FUMSI Focus
- The challenge of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
- Case studies - Part 1: The problem
VIP Features
- On the Horizon
- Recent postings to the LiveWire
Jinfo - Jobs and Events
Jobs in Information:
- Head of Content (maternity cover)
- Head of Central Services
- Knowledge Manager
- More...
Events in Information:
- SLA 2012 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO
- TFPL SharePoint Event 2012
- Introduction to Records Management
- AIIP Webinar: Updating Advanced Web Search Techniques
- TFPL - Knowledge Transfer: making knowledge sharing real
Highlights from DocuTicker
- Rising Gasoline Prices 2012
- The Search for a New Business Model: How Newspapers are Faring Trying to Build Digital Revenue
Highlights from ResourceShelf
- EBSCO Releases eBook Academic Subscription Collection
- Old Maps Online Launched
Gold
Contact Information
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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.
This twice-monthly free FreePint Newsletter serves as a guide to the latest content, including 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.
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Editorial
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 By Michelle Manafy
Big data discovery
We don't hear as much about information overload these days as in years past. Somehow I doubt it is because it is no longer a problem. More likely the problem has grown to such a level that everyone is simply too overwhelmed to find time to talk about it.
 To wit: we are hearing more and more about so-called big data. McKinsey & Company states that "the increasing volume and detail of information captured by enterprises, the rise of multimedia, social media, and the Internet of Things will fuel exponential growth in data for the foreseeable future". They also point out that "leaders in every sector will have to grapple with the implications of big data, not just a few data-oriented managers".
Certainly, effectively leveraging information is of primary importance to people working in a multitude of job roles, regardless of their position in the corporate hierarchy. What McKinsey's comments highlight is that the issue is one that business leaders will need to allocate resources to in order for their organisations to succeed.
As our recent FreePint Research Report: Information Governance Policies and Priorities revealed, increasing user awareness of information resources is a high priority among information managers. According to the report, "a lot of attention in the information world is being paid to resource discovery and tools to guide users to the most valuable information resources".
As information is no longer the domain of an information professional, the role of information manager is increasingly as information filter; finding and disseminating the right information to staff in a wide range of job roles. It is also increasingly the case that individuals outside the information professions seek out information resources on their own. In both of these cases, the rising quantity of information available (without a commensurate increase in time) makes the filter factor ever higher in valuable information management tools.
It is with this in mind that here at FreePint we are introducing a range of discovery tools to improve our users' ability to determine quickly which information resources are likely to be of value to meet individual needs. First among these is the introduction of FreePint Categories, which provide both solution-oriented (Industry Topics) and job-related (Functional Areas) categorisation. These categories will also be visible with abstracts of articles, to help users more quickly skim and find content worth clicking through and reading (or sharing with staff). These categories draw content from across the entire FreePint family of resources and each category has its own RSS feed so that users can create more targeted content alerts.
While FUMSI was created with the practice areas of Finding, Using, Managing and Sharing information in mind, we heard from our readers that these distinctions were less important to them than who in the organisation might benefit from the information on these areas. Thus, we are also leveraging the Functional Area categories within FUMSI Magazine so that, when information managers are looking through an issue, they can more quickly discern content that should be passed along to specific staff members.
This process of better organisation and more-focused delivery of FreePint content is a work in progress. As is our practice in product development, we undertook this objective based upon community feedback. We will continue to develop it with you, our readers, top of mind. Please do not hesitate to email me with any ideas or input, or to share it through the FreePint Suggestion Box. No matter how large data looms, we're here to help take on the perils, pitfalls, and the promise of big data together, as partners in better information discovery.
Best regards,
Michelle Manafy,
Director of Content
FreePint
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2012
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My Favourite Tipples
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 By Stephanie Lemieux
As a taxonomy and content management consultant with a diverse client-base and a lot of travel, I often rely on whatever can be delivered to my mobile phone or my email to keep up to date on search, taxonomy development, and information science. As I often work closely with information architects, I also like to keep an eye on developments in user experience design. Sometimes I'll find a few moments to slip in a podcast or surf through some nice visual designs on the web. Here are a few of my staple resources.
- User Interface Engineering - Virtual Seminars & Articles: Just reading the titles of the upcoming seminars gives me a good idea of trending topics in user experience, but I definitely try to make time in my schedule to attend Jared Spool's events which are always great. I never miss the articles they publish, which often dovetail with the month's session.
- Semantic Web: Semantic Web covers industry news, events and research with a very international perspective, which I appreciate as many of my clients are in Europe. They also offer content by "Industry Verticals" such as Health, Government, and publishing, which lets me focus on content relevant to whatever I'm working on at the moment. I often listen to the Semantic Link podcasts (interviews with interesting folks working in ontologies, linked data, thesauri/taxonomies, etc.) while I work.
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Pinterest: Pinterest has been around for almost 2 years, but it's just reaching a critical mass of users. I have to admit I use it for non-work interests including saving recipes for homemade jams and salsa, but what first drew me was the quickly-growing collection of examples of interesting navigation and search design. It will be interesting to see how the community grows and evolves over time. Some good boards include:
- Real Story Group: The Real Story Group (previously known as CMSWatch) has been at the forefront of content management technology evaluation for over a decade now. Their Evaluation Reports are invaluable, but I also follow their blog for daily posts by their team of analysts to keep abreast of the vendor marketplace.
- Taxonomy Community of Practice: As a long-time member, I've found the Taxonomy Community of Practice discussion group/mailing list to be an invaluable resource in connecting with my fellow taxonomist. The discussions can get pretty lively, and I will get responses to any question within hours. It's like having a panel of experts at my disposal... and no question is too nerdy. These folks know their taxonomy stuff.
Stephanie Lemieux is a consultant and passionate advocate of taxonomy, search and content management (i.e. bit of a geek), helping clients create better information environments for their users. She is newly back to freelance consulting after a stint as the Director of Search & Content at the Yellow Pages Group in Montreal, Canada. Stephanie was previously Senior Consultant and Taxonomy Practice Lead at Earley & Associates where she worked with clients such as Best Buy, Motorola and AstraZeneca to improve their information organization through taxonomy and metadata best practices. She developed methodologies for taxonomy design, faceted search, digital asset management, governance and content management across various technologies.
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 submit them to support@freepint.com.
Have a single tip to share? Post it to the FUMSI Forum.
View the guidelines at: <http://web.freepint.com/go/family/contribute>.
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Read Less. Achieve More.
Today's business environment is global. Esmerk makes it easier for you to spot potential threats, identify opportunities and make better decisions.
Our team monitors thousands of sources from 140 countries in 30 languages, searching for information relevant to you. We then summarise and translate key information, and present it to you in individually tailored, structured daily reports.
Request a sample report to understand how Esmerk can give you back your time, so that you can achieve more »
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 Accelerated Change in the Mobile Enterprise
Year 2 Research Results Published
There is increasing urgency in the enterprise to figure out mobile content delivery... despite ongoing challenges with security, authentication and overall risk management.
Learn from the results of in-depth interviews with information managers at major organisations about:
- Pilot projects
- User requirements (and demands)
- The impact of tables
- The frustration of content silos
Single-site licensing starts at only £39
Learn more and purchase now »
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FreePint Bar
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The FreePint Bar is where we publish information about the latest content from across the FreePint Family of resources.
The FreePint Bar is sponsored by:
Latest posts at the FreePint Bar:
- [DocuTopic] Fact-checking under the Microscope
I wrote about political fact-checking websites several months ago in a DocuTips column (Stubborn facts and slippery statistics, December 2011), but I have decided to take a second look because of the new level of attention given to what is now being called "the fact-checking industry". Scholars and think tank fellows are contributing new energy to the discussion, joining an already active conversation among journalists.
Read posting online »
- Who is the publisher? When the enterprise becomes a publisher
At the conclusion of this year's FreePint Research: Enterprise Market for Mobile Content 2012, I make the case for today's (and tomorrow's) enterprise organisations to rethink themselves as aggregators and publishers, even more than licensors and acquirers of content:
"...organisations must, increasingly, see themselves as publishers of mobile content. Any enterprise serious about untethering workers from their desks and put robust content in front of them on demand needs to reframe its thinking as that of a supplier of aggregated content from various sources, both internal and external."
Read posting online »
- Information governance featured in FUMSI Report
Managing information within an organisation is no easy task. Imagine your organisation as an evolving intranet: as new sites crop up and amendments are made, broken links are generated which inhibit the flow of information across the organisation. At the same time, not all information may be publicly available as legislative regulations must be obeyed. The rise of social media has brought the benefit of rapid communication but also the challenges regarding privacy and data capture. So how is it possible to harness the flow of information across an organisation to maximise its value while still being able to comply with the law?
Read posting online »
Visit the FreePint Bar »
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FUMSI Focus
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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 »
Follow FUMSI on Twitter »
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:
The challenge of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
 By James Mullan
FUMSI: Use
If you're not familiar with the concept, BYOD refers to the idea of employees bringing their personal equipment (devices) into their place of work and using them to undertake work. For an organisation, one of the benefits is that they avoid the cost of having to buy a device for every employee and employees get a device they want to use.
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Case studies - Part 1: The problem
 By Sarah Dillingham
FUMSI: Share
Case studies: all your users want them, but nobody wants to write them. Case studies are written examples of where the organisation has carried out a successful engagement, usually of high contractual value or strategic importance. They can be used for internal learning purposes and external marketing.
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Latest FUMSI Focus Articles
The latest articles from our editors, contributors and community:
Visit the FUMSI Focus database »
FUMSI - Forthcoming Topics
- Proposed changes to copyright law and what they would mean for your organisation
- The state of the associ-nation
- Selected sources for emerging markets: Middle East and North Africa
- Developing a communication plan for stakeholders: when and where.
If you have a suggestion for an article topic, or would like to write, then please contact <support@freepint.com> or read the notes for authors at
<http://web.freepint.com/go/family/contribute/>.
Browse all FUMSI articles »
Subscribe to the free FUMSI Focus to receive a weekly update of the latest FUMSI Focus articles.
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 Make the most of your valuable information resources
Managing information within an organisation is no easy task. The FUMSI Report: Folio on Information Governance neatly balances the risks and benefits of managing information within organisations and recommends some handy tips, tools and techniques.
This FUMSI Report will help you:
- Manage the flow of information with social tools
- Address security issues resultant from social tools
- Manage information about people
- Utilise SharePoint for intranets
- Transform information into knowledge
Starting at only £39 for a single site license »
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TFPL Training Courses
Since 1987 TFPL has been working with the industry to develop training solutions to match the growing and changing needs of knowledge and information professionals. Course development is based on independent research we have conducted into skill requirements and the developing role of the knowledge and information professional gathered from across government, public and private sector organisations.
Get TFPL courses tailored to in-house programmes or one-to-one coaching. Our trainers are independent consultants. Their unique skill sets enable them to develop bespoke training programmes to specific client needs.
Find out more about TFPL courses through the public access calendar.
For further information please contact training@tfpl.com
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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: On the Horizon
VIP Magazine features VIP Horizon, a brief summary of important news in the information industry, interpreted to help information managers communicate upward regarding strategy, risk management and planning for change.
The January issue of VIP (No. 98) features the following in VIP Horizon:
Despite all the information available to them, companies are actually taking longer to reach critical business decisions, according to an Economist Intelligence Unit report. They're reasonably confident about collecting and analysing data, but much less comfortable when it comes to making decisions based on it.
However other studies, from big data specialist MarkLogic and consultant InfoCentric Research, imply that this confidence may be misplaced. Searching for unstructured data consumes disproportionate amounts of time, and enterprise search systems don't provide the full answer because they don't understand the context in which people are working and can't therefore anticipate their needs.
http://www.vivavip.com/go/e32453
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IT heads receive about 15 requests a week from colleagues who need to find old or archived emails. Almost half confessed that they had no IT solution for ensuring they could retrieve them when they needed them, even though almost one in five said that the information locked in old emails was "priceless".
A recent report from the management consultant McKinsey indicates that the issue is as much one of analytical and managerial talent as it is technology. Intranet specialist Martin White reinforces that by saying that the intersection of structured and unstructured information is currently "the place to be".
http://www.vivavip.com/go/e32440
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Recent severe criticism of Facebook's privacy practices by the United States Federal Trade Commission risks making life harder for anyone who processes personal data in the cloud. The European Commission is currently preparing to tighten data protection, putting more responsibility on individual data controllers to observe privacy impact assessments for "risky" processing.
The moves are designed to streamline cross-border data protection, and as such may be welcomed by business. But Facebook's high profile misdemeanours may also strengthen the Commission's resolve to press on with "right to be forgotten" legislation, which the United Kingdom Information Commissioner has said is not practicable.
http://www.vivavip.com/go/e32454
For more insights like these, purchase VIP No. 98 in the FreePint Shop, or subscribe today »
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.
VIP Wires Weekly is generously sponsored by Esmerk.
Latest Postings on the LiveWire...
- FINIF mini review: Part 1
FINIF bills itself as an informatics platform that specialises in financial sentiment analysis and market chatter. The technology provides the capability to analyse financial data, news and opinion from sources such as Twitter, reputable news providers and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.
Read posting online »
- Privacy - American carrot or European stick?
As the United States government finally sets out its data privacy principles, all is not well with the rather more advanced European policy. Meanwhile, though, are individuals starting to leapfrog the law by managing their own privacy better?
Read posting online »
- Social media - normalised, crisis or chaos?
If ever a company needed effective crisis management now it's the owner of the cruise ships Costa Concordia and Costa Allegra. It's facing both the aftermath of a tragically avoidable shipwreck and the embarrassment of needing a tow from a passing fishing boat while its thousand-plus passengers sweltered on the deck.
Read posting online »
- Big data; big con?
When I first heard the term "big data", I thought it might have something to do with the current British Prime Minister's view of society, but fortunately, it isn't. It is, in fact, the hot IT buzzword of 2012.
Read posting online »
- Where did I see that photo? Try Gale or Factiva
We've all heard the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. In this world of multimedia and infographics it certainly appears to be an efficient shortcut to presenting information for many purposes. Recently two vendors are making sure their customers are the beneficiaries of even more pictures, photos and images.
Read posting online »
Always feel free to comment on any item on the LiveWire, and if you do not yet have a free subscription to the VIP Wires Weekly, you can sign up now »
VIP LiveWire »
VIP - Subscribe and Back Issues
Start a trial subscription today for only £84 for three months.
Visit http://web.freepint.com/go/shop/vip/volume/trial/ to start your trial. You can also purchase back-issues of VIP from the FreePint Shop.
VIP Archive »
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 - Forthcoming Topics
- Pantros IP ProSearch
- Newsedge
- Capital IQ
- Digimind
If you have a suggestion for an article topic, or would like to write, then please contact <support@freepint.com> or read the notes for authors at
<http://web.freepint.com/go/family/contribute/>.
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Social Media
The trend towards greater online creation, collaboration and comment shows no sign of abating. Certainly unprecedented numbers of people are sharing unprecedented amounts of information about themselves, their preferences and activities. This raises security and privacy issues, but also offers research resources. Learn about the risk and rewards offered by social media.
The DocuTicker Report: DocuTips on Social Media informs your research on this pressing issue.
Providing:
- A deep collection of current research
- Resources for further research
- And articles and insights on social media in practise
Starting at only £12 for a single site license, the DocuTicker Report: DocuTips on Social Media is a smart addition to your learning and library.
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 Are you driving business success with your social media strategy?
Social Media, like social life, can be a somewhat mysterious proposition. Yet businesses can't afford to approach social media casually. The FreePint Volume: Critical Insights on Social Media 2012 provides you with a way to:
- Align social media strategy with business objectives
- Get in-depth perspective on the pros and cons of the leading monitoring tools
- Derive actionable business insights from social media
Get the collection -- valued at over £156 -- for only £89 (single site).
Learn more and purchase now »
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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 and events, 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:
- Head of Content (maternity cover)
This is a great opportunity for a qualified information professional to join a vibrant, exciting and growing media business.
Recruiter: Ortolan Group Plc
Country: United Kingdom
- Head of Central Services
My clients are looking to hire a Head of Central Services. To be considered for this role you will be a qualified Accountant...
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
- Knowledge Manager
Recruiter: Oxford University Press
Country: United Kingdom
- Research Manager
Research Manager in newly created vacancy for H.R. Consultancy in Central London. Involves managing small research team and developing research services and K.M. processes. High neg. salary + bonus.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Records Manager
Recruiter: United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
Country: United Kingdom
- Senior Information Officer
12 month contract working with online databases and CMS, you will have knowledge of SharePoint and geographical information systems.
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
- Product Research & Development Manager
Product Research & Development Manager for Informa Business Information (IBI)
Recruiter: Informa Business Information (IBI)
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 £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 DocuTicker
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Highlights from ResourceShelf
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Contact Information
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To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your subscriptions or password, visit <http://www.freepint.com/subs/> or forward this email, with your request and registered email address, 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 Michelle Manafy, Director of Content, <michelle.manafy@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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