Newsletter No. 51
« Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter »
Free Pint
"Helping 26,000 people use the Web for their work"
http://www.freepint.co.uk/
ISSN 1460-7239 2nd December 1999 No.51
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
IN THIS ISSUE
EDITORIAL
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
"UK Help and Welfare Information on the Web"
By Alan Humphreys
BOOKSHELF
"Creating Value in the Network Economy"
Reviewed by Simon Collery
FEATURE ARTICLE
"Homepages: Househunting on the Internet"
By Tom Hartley
FREE PINT BAR
http://www.freepint.co.uk/bar
FREE PINT FORTHCOMING ARTICLES
CONTACT INFORMATION
ONLINE VERSION WITH ACTIVATED HYPERLINKS
http://www.freepint.co.uk/issues/021299.htm
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
THOMSON FINANCIAL SECURITIES DATA IS LAUNCHING THOMSONDIRECT.COM,
at Online Information '99. Combining the expertise of 13 premier
information sources covering over 600,000 public, private & joint
venture companies, ThomsonDirect.com is the definitive source for
global financial information. Access all of our in-depth data covering
share ownership, M&A, new issues, broker & market research, & much
more all on one platform! Visit stands 190/191, 7-9 December, National
Hall & Olympia 2. For more information call (+44) (0) 171 369 7622.
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [tf511]
>>> ABOUT FREE PINT <<<
Free Pint is a free newsletter with tips on using the Web for your
work. It is published by email every two weeks and your regular free
copy can be reserved at <http://www.freepint.co.uk/>. The site also
gives free access to the substantial archive of articles, book
reviews, and discussions at the Free Pint Bar. Please do distribute
the newsletter to colleagues, and view it using a font like Courier.
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
EDITORIAL
I mentioned in the last edition that I would shortly be introducing
two more members of the Free Pint team who are helping to raise
finance and developing new services for Free Pint subscribers.
Lesley Robinson has an impressive track record in information and
business management. She has held senior positions at the Financial
Times, KPMG and Bain & Co., and has an MBA from Cranfield. As well
as helping me manage the company, Lesley is guiding Free Pint in
talks with financiers about investing in its future. Lesley can be
contacted by email to <lesley@freepint.co.uk> or by telephone on
+44 (0)20 8871 4284.
Simon Collery many of you will know from his invaluable input to the
Free Pint Bar. Simon knows a lot about the Internet and online
information, having previously worked for, among others, the Oxford
English Dictionary Project. Simon is managing a number of new
initiatives for us, details of which will follow over the coming
months. Simon's direct email address is <simon@freepint.co.uk>.
If you're in London next week then do head for Olympia as we have
a large stand, number 30, at the Online Information 99 show. You
can get free tickets from <http://www.online-information.co.uk/> and
find out about the "Working the Web" seminars we are running. It
would be great to meet you face-to-face so please do come if you can.
This week we bring you the usual broad range of business-Web-related
content, including reviews of welfare and househunting sites (not in
the same article, of course), a book review and summary of the latest
happenings at the Bar. As always, if you have an idea for an article
then contact our Editor, Rex Cooke <rex@freepint.co.uk>, or if you'd
like to see a book reviewed then email <bookshelf@freepint.co.uk>.
If you enjoy this issue then please join us at the Bar to let us know
<http://www.freepint.co.uk/bar>, and I hope you can pass it on to
colleagues and friends. Your support is really appreciated.
Kind regards,
William
William Hann BSc MIInfSc
Founder and Managing Editor, Free Pint
e: william@freepint.co.uk
w: http://www.freepint.co.uk/
t: +44 (0)1784 455435
f: +44 (0)1784 455436
Free Pint is a trademark of Free Pint Limited
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
FREE UK COMPANY REPORTS WHEN YOU BUY YOUR CHRISTMAS WINE FROM THE
ACCOUNTINGWEB GIFT STORE. We are opening the AccountingWEB gift
store with a great offer for the festive season. Buy your wine or
champagne from AccountingWEB and not only enjoy savings of up to
15% off retail prices but also qualify for 20 pounds worth of ICC
UK Company Reports of your choice free of charge. To take advantage
of this unique offer, contact giftstore@accountingweb.co.uk or
visit http://www.accountingweb.co.uk/mall
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [si512]
>>> FREE PINT IS READ, SPREAD, DEBATED AND COGITATED <<<
Your company can be a part of it by advertising here
http://www.freepint.co.uk/advert.htm
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
"UK Help and Welfare Information on the Web"
By Alan Humphreys
Introduction
------------
I have long felt that despite the impressive content and success of
Free Pint, the field of welfare information has been sadly
under-represented in articles. Hopefully mine will address this,
stimulate debate and maybe even create a network of like-minded
workers!
Furthermore, there is no single comprehensive web site dealing with
this field hence the need for an article such as this to bring
together the primary sites and suggest subject specific sites.
Who is this article directed towards?
-------------------------------------
Primarily it will be of interest and use to workers in the public and
voluntary sectors; people working in the subjects covered in this
article; welfare workers (e.g. advice workers, counsellors,
solicitors); and information workers and librarians.
Of course all readers as individuals will find the information in this
article useful at some time, for themselves or for someone who needs
help.
Because most of the information is based upon UK legislation, the
geographical limit of this article is UK only.
What exactly is this information?
---------------------------------
A useful definition would be: "Accessible recorded and available
knowledge and information to enable individuals to assert their rights
and deal with their everyday problems".
More specifically the following subjects: education, health, housing,
money and work.
The "type" of information is threefold: firstly, contact details of
appropriate help organisations; secondly, brief guides to the law; and
thirdly, what to do practically.
Why is welfare information important?
-------------------------------------
The traditional welfare information networks (extended families,
neighbours, churches, etc.) have been eroding for a long time. Welfare
information providers such as advice agencies and libraries are under
great economic pressure combined with less priority given to such
information, leading to a diminishing service. Other sources (e.g.
personnel departments, unions, professional associations, etc.) are
not as well equipped informationally as they should be.
Society has become much more complex and its rate of change is
increasing. With this complexity has come a plethora of information of
which most is, ironically, relatively inaccessible - either because it
is hard to find or jargonistic.
Inaccessibility or ignorance of rights leads to a longer "waiting
time" which is directly related to mental and physical health. Rights
are interdependent e.g. lack of money reduces the opportunity to
exercise other rights like legal protection, so, without this
information, other rights are worth little.
Common knowledge about basic aspects of life (and thus how to deal
with problems) is still generally poor. If laws are to be effective
and for citizens to recognize their reciprocal obligations that they
have to society, people must understand their rights as well as their
obligations.
On a societal level, the prevention of problems can bring about end
benefits, for example, health education can prevent later expensive
in-patient health care.
It can help eradicate poverty and ameliorate the quality of life.
Deprivation of such information causes exclusion from essential
services e.g. take-up of benefits is directly related to the
accessibility of information on them.
Warning!
--------
Knowing this information and indeed using it is not always enough.
Because there are numerous exceptions to every rule and the effects of
mistakes can be costly, so think about seeking advice also!
Where from? Citizens Advice Bureaux
<http://www.nacab.org.uk/cabdir.ihtml>, advice agencies that are
part of the Federation of Independent Advice Centres (no Web page so
contact via: 4 Dean's Court, London EC4V 5AA or (020) 7489 1800), law
centres that are members of the Law Centres Federation
<http://www.lawcentres.org.uk/centres.html> or solicitors that are
members of the Law Society
<http://www.lawsoc.org.uk/dcs/second_tier.asp?section_id=7>
The experiences of friends, relatives, colleagues and others in a
similar position as you or your client are invaluable, but remember
that no two individuals' situations are exactly the same. Information
simply guides, inspires, promotes confidence, empowers and saves time
and effort.
Primary Sites
-------------
As with any field there are certain web sites that contain information
on most or all of these aspects. Although they do not tell the full
story or always present the information in the best way, they are
important first stops.
UK Central Government <http://www.open.gov.uk/>. The amount of
information on this award-winning Web site is staggering though
sometimes hard to find using its own search tool. However, there are
many indispensable guides to various subjects which are all useful and
sometimes the best available. It does have to be remembered that for
instance benefits information although good on this site does not go
as far as some independent organisations' benefit take-up campaigns.
It also contains a database of virtually all government (at all tiers)
and related Web sites via its organisation and topic indexes.
The Site <http://www.thesite.org.uk/>. This is a Web site designed
for young people and the language and situations within it reflect
this. Much of the information on the site is applicable to all, not
just young people - but do read carefully to make sure! It provides
both "types" of information mentioned above: searchable databases of
1,000 national help organisations and 12,000 local help organisations;
plus guides in the form of "factsheets". It also contains "features"
(true stories, interviews and stories by their users).
National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB) Adviceguide
<http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/>. For many years, help organisations
have used NACAB's "Basic Information Pack" (or the extended version)
as the plain English guide of choice to an individual's rights. NACAB
is the largest and one of the most credible advice co-ordinating
organisations. Currently the basic version is being piloted on the Web
and is updated at least monthly, which is so crucial in matters of law
as the breadth of legislation in the guide can be affected by a
significant amount of changes in a short time. Importantly, it tells
you at what stage to take advice.
Subject Specific Pages
----------------------
A selection of some web sites within each welfare subject follow. They
show the range of types of information available on the web but what
they all have in common is that each one is one of the best sources of
information on a particular aspect in its subject.
Education:
Advisory Centre for Education
<http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/>
Higher Education Student Support
<http://www.dfee.gov.uk/support/index.htm>
Access To Education [schools]
<http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/nacab/plsql/doc_split.display?p_nacab_id=5.2.2.4.&p_domain_id=1004>
Distance, Open & Flexible Learning
<http://www.thesite.org.uk/show?30957>
Health:
Women's Health
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/health/womens/index.shtml>
Personal Safety
<http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crimprev/ypgcp.htm#persaf>
Telephone Helplines Directory
<http://www.helplines.org.uk/search.cfm>
Patients' Rights
<http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/>
[Click on "information for England and Wales" or "information for
Scotland"; "health"; "View - Patients' rights]
Housing:
Shelterline [homelessness]
<http://www.shelter.org.uk/finding/shelterline.html>
Buying A Home
<http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/>
[Click on "information for England and Wales" or "information for
Scotland"; "housing"; "View - Buying a home"]
Housing Factsheets [for the elderly]
<http://www.ace.org.uk/fs_housing/default.htm>
Housing and the Disability Discrimination Act
<http://www.rnib.org.uk/dda/housing.htm>
Money:
Benefits Calculator
<http://www.ferret.co.uk/bentest/index.html>
Leaflets & Booklets for Personal Tax Payers
<http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/leaflets/c1.htm>
In debt
<http://www.thesite.org.uk/show?38809>
Trading Standards Net [consumer rights]
<http://www.xodesign.co.uk/tsnet/pages/hlpframe.htm>
Work:
Government Schemes For Unemployed People
<http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/>
[Click on "information for England and Wales" or "information for
Scotland"; "employment"; "View - Government schemes for unemployed
people"]
Interviews
<http://www.milkround.com/s1/careers/interviews.html>
Race Relations Act
<http://www.thesite.org.uk/show?28984>
Complaints and Remedies
<http://www.dti.gov.uk/access/pl716d.htm>
Apologies!
----------
There are of course, many subjects and aspects that are also important
in this field but could simply not be included here for the sake of
brevity.
Apologies therefore to those also expecting information on Legal Aid,
the environment, lesbian/gay rights, travel, community care,
insurance, immigration, relationships, etc.! If you do seek these, the
primary sites aforementioned will guide you or do feel free to e-mail
me!
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Alan Humphreys is Senior Information & Access Officer with the London
Borough of Islington (alan.humphreys@islington.gov.uk) running a team
of front-line information workers and leading borough-wide information
projects. Previously he worked for five years as Information Officer
at an Advice Centre. Alan has also set up two Youth Information
Centres.
His interest in the Web began in 1994 and he has used it constantly
since in work and leisure. Recently he trained staff in efficient
searching on the web and use of a self-created web interface for use
by front-line staff to answer the public's enquiries.
Alan is planning to launch a consultancy (purposealan@hotmail.com) in
community, social & public information.
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Related Free Pint links:
* Post your response to this article now at the Bar
<http://www.freepint.co.uk/bar>
* Read this article online, with activated hyperlinks
<http://www.freepint.co.uk/issues/021299.htm#tips>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
***** WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? *****
Available from the Trident On Line Technology Store at
<http://www.tridentonline.com> is a full range of NEC and Samsung LCD
and plasma monitors as well as lap and palm top PC's, boardroom
presentation equipment and home entertainment products. LCD monitors
range from 15.1" to 20.1" and plasma multimedia monitors from 33" to
50". FREE UP THAT SPACE ON YOUR DESK AND GIVE YOUR EYES A BREAK
Tel: 01737 856125 Home Page: <http://www.tridentdisplays.co.uk/>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [tr513]
>>> NEW FREE PINT SEARCH FACILITY <<<
http://www.freepint.co.uk/search
Site search now includes all Bar postings (including the archive) and
you can see your keywords in context in the results. Other features
include using plus and minus signs, as well as field searching
(e.g. title:engineer). Why not give it a go today to find all those
relevant articles, book reviews and Bar discussions you've missed.
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
FREE PINT BOOKSHELF
<http://www.freepint.co.uk/bookshelf>
"Creating Value in the Network Economy"
Reviewed by Simon Collery
This book is very like Managing in the New Economy, by Joan Magretta,
which I reviewed in the last issue of Free Pint. Both share two
articles and much of their subject matter. More strikingly, the
contributors for both are drawn from a very small list of
institutions. So much for breadth of coverage. The articles in both
are good, but one needn't read both.
The articles in Tapscott's book are divided into three parts: The
Changing Nature of Value, how the prominence of information affects
notions of value and strategy; Whither the Firm?, which compares
traditional forms of business organization with emerging ones; and
The Customer in a Network Economy, the emerging role of the customer
in shaping the product.
Tapscott's introduction is itself an article, or perhaps a set of
articles, gasping to get out. Few of his comments are focussed on
the contributors' articles and the ones that are seem to draw heavily
on the executive summaries at the end. There are a lot of 'I's and
'me's and 'my's and a number of references to Tapscott's own
publications. Tapscott mentions several terms of his own making
(EBC, prosumer) and interprets the theses of contributors using these
terms. These terms don't appear again throughout the book. EBC is
'e-business community' and it is such a valuable word, Tapscott uses
it 19 times in the space of seven pages. How did twenty
contributors get by without it?
Both Magretta and Tapscott start their introductions with a question
about the newness of the new economy and Tapscott finds it to be
very new. Well, as new as his well plugged book, which is four
years old.
I'm left with three questions. Does the series editor read all the
books in the series? Did Tapscott read the articles he purports to
introduce? If he did, why didn't he write about them?
Find out more about this book on the Free Pint Bookshelf at
http://www.freepint.co.uk/bookshelf/value.htm
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Simon Collery has been involved in editorial and research work for
the electronic media for a number of years, working for AND Data
Solutions, Oxford, and the Oxford English Dictionary Project. One of
his primary interests is the use of the Internet as a serious
research tool and a source of free, reliable information and software.
He works for Free Pint Limited on the business development team.
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Related Free Pint links:
* Free Pint book review of "Managing in the New Economy" by Magretta
<http://www.freepint.co.uk/bookshelf/managing.htm>
* Internet strategy books on the Free Pint Bookshelf
<http://www.freepint.co.uk/bookshelf/strategy.htm>
* Read customer comments and buy this book at Amazon.co.uk
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0875849113/freepint0c>
or Amazon.com
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0875849113/freepint00>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>>> KNOW OF A GOOD WEB-RELATED BOOK WE SHOULD REVIEW? <<<
Send details to <bookshelf@freepint.co.uk>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
ACCESS KEY INFORMATION ON THOUSANDS OF SOFTWARE PROVIDERS - FAST
Finding reliable data quickly is now made easy with Computer Software &
Services Online(CSSOnline). CSSOnline is a fully searchable, web-based
database service, containing details of over 13,000 software products,
7,500 IT companies and 4,500 IT service providers. For more details,
subscription information and to conduct free test searches visit
http://www.cssonline.co.uk/ See us at Online Information next week.
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [li514]
FEATURE ARTICLE
"Homepages: Househunting on the Internet"
By Tom Hartley
Slowly but surely the UK estate agency marketplace is waking up to the
Internet. Ask the average estate agent down an average High Street and
he or she will tell you that they receive information about getting
themselves onto the Internet at least once a week, if not daily.
Estate agents are obvious candidates to get on-line. Historically they
tend to have heavy information dissemination costs. An agent will
typically send out large numbers of property particulars by post, but
not quite enough to be able to do it efficiently via mailing houses.
On top of this, they have to bear reasonably heavy costs advertising
in local newspapers, often around 4-500 pounds per page each week.
Whilst many in the High Street believe that these prices are kept up
by cartel type arrangements, the truth is that vast majority of the
cost of these local newspapers is in the printing, the physical paper
and the distribution. The Internet offers near zero dissemination
costs by comparison.
Once a homebuyer has found a home that they like the look of, the
agents are very polished at showing people round and performing the
complex and bridge building job of negotiating between the vendor and
the purchaser. However, it is this first stage that is the least
efficient for today's estate agents; that of giving out details on
properties to enough people to find a suitable buyer for each property
on their books.
For the homebuyer, the house-hunter or flat-hunter, finding their
ideal property seems to take the longest amount of time, trawling
through property newspapers and up and down High Streets. By
comparison, the process between finding that perfect property and
having the offer accepted passes only too quickly, although until the
Government's new legislation on Seller's Packs come into force there
is often still a long wait between having the offer accepted and
actually moving in. What homebuyers want is a simple straightforward
way to find their ideal property without extra cost or effort.
There are a number of property websites that have sprung up aiming to
provide just this service. They vary from standalone websites built by
the Saturday boy in a few afternoons through professionally designed
multi-office sites to the large UK-wide property websites such as
Homepages <http://www.homepages.co.uk>, Property Finder
<http://www.propertyfinder.co.uk> or Property Live
<http://www.propertylive.co.uk>.
Homepages <http://www.homepages.co.uk> is currently the largest UK
property website with between 17,000 and 20,000 properties which is
around 7-10% of the total numbers of properties on the market (around
200-250,000 currently). The site has been innovative by offering email
listings, local information such as schools, map and text based
searching and a metasearch to search other property websites should
you not find the property you are after. One of the few sites to do a
freeform search, rather than asking you to navigate down to a
predefined region.
Internet Property Finder <http://www.propertyfinder.co.uk> is the
longest running of the property websites, and has some impressive
trophy names behind it, including FPDSavills and many of the more
prestigious London estate agents. This belies the historical position
the Internet had for estate agents: it was predominantly for the
Country Life type properties. This particular niche looks to have
found itself a very competent tenant.
Property Live <http://www.propertylive.co.uk> is backed by the
National Association of Estate Agents in co-operation with Intergraph,
a major software house to the Government. They started well, with many
member agents joining the system, but a lack of marketing by the NAEA
both to homebuyers and their agents has resulted in many agents
drifting away. With its National Association backing, this site should
be giving the other sites a much better run for their money, but the
quirky (if powerful) search interface may be behind their problems.
UK Property Gold <http://www.ukpg.co.uk> has cornered the market in
new and development properties. Indeed, if you count the number of
potential properties on their books instead of the number of different
homes that a homebuyer could look at, they have between 25 and 40,000
properties. This is a slick site, but produces its output in a table
like a gazetteer, rather than an entry per property, which is
presumably done to be able to handle these developments where some
properties may not even be started yet.
A couple of recent entrants onto the UK-wide scene are Home Directory
<http://www.homedirectory.com> and Property Chain
<http://www.propertychain.com> who both have set out to be among the
two or three sites that will eventually dominate the property website
arena. Home Directory have a polished site that also offers some of
the innovative features developed by Homepages, such as their
'megasearch'. Property Chain appear to have taken a slightly different
approach - they are aiming at producing an umbrella listing by
bringing together any property information that they can find in an
existing electronic format. This information, however, is only a
partner to providing homebuyers with information, and by inference
products, as a vertical portal on the complete homebuying lifecycle.
Some groups of agents have got together to produce powerful websites.
A good example is the Guild of Professional Estate Agents' website,
Property Platform <http://www.property-platform.com> that lists the
properties from this very well marketed group. Another is the Team
website <http://www.teamprop.co.uk> that lists the details from these
successful groups of multi-listing agents dotted across the UK.
On top of these, and besides the vast numbers of websites that are
built for individual estate agencies, there are a few which have been
built for other reasons. These include Property Sight
<www.property-sight.co.uk>, Property File
<http://www.propertyfile.co.uk> and Home2View <www.home2view.co.uk>
each of which were built by the company who provides the estate agents
with software to manage their property portfolio. Rumoured to be in
development are websites from the major national chains, but the
mixture of corporate inertia and a lack of coherent systems across the
organisations looks likely to slow these up, and their partisan
listings may affect their take-up by the homebuying public.
Looking to the future, the estate agency market is due to have its
focus shifted considerably towards their people and property skills:
negotiating, showing people round and valuing properties, and away
from their information processing roles. Ultimately, virtual estate
agents may emerge to carry on where Real Estate Direct left off
<http://www.realestatedirect.co.uk>, but it will be some time before
these are successful. (It's not just the lack of numbers of people
online to make these successful; there will always be a requirement
for these property and people skills in person). Well before then,
with the simplification of the buying process, many estate agents will
be well poised to compete with solicitors and move in to handle the
more straightforward conveyancing jobs. The estate agent that isn't
able to streamline their business by the benefits that the Internet
bring will just not have the time to be able to keep up with their
competitors two doors down the High Street.
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Tom Hartley is a founder and the technical director of Homepages
<http://www.homepages.co.uk>, the property website. Homepages
specialises in providing homebuyers with residential property
information and estate agents with websites, which it has been doing
since early 1996. The Homepages site is now at least 50% larger than
its nearest competitors and is well placed to capture that critical
mass to cement its position as the UK's number one. Last month around
13,000 separate faxes or emails with enquiries by homebuyers for
specific properties were forwarded to estate agents. Enquiries on
Homepages should be addressed to <enquiries@homepages.co.uk or by
ringing 01494 862422.
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Related Free Pint links:
* Post your response to this article now at the Bar
<http://www.freepint.co.uk/bar>
* Read this article online, with activated hyperlinks
<http://www.freepint.co.uk/issues/021299.htm#feature>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
OUR HEALTHIER NATION WEBSITE
<http://www.ohn.gov.uk>
Supports the White Paper, Saving lives - Our Healthier Nation
with comprehensive coverage of the developing government-wide health
strategy which aims to improve health and reduce health inequalities.
A collection of links, contacts and resources including a dynamic
glossary. Regular Updates on new initiatives and resources & a
mailing list news service <mailto:ohnfeedback@hea.org.uk>.
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [he515]
>>> WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO FREE PINT? <<<
http://www.freepint.co.uk/author.htm
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
FREE PINT BAR
http://www.freepint.co.uk/bar
I'm taking a slightly different tack this issue with my summarisation
of what's been happening at the Bar over the last two weeks. Rather
than just listing the subjects, I've brought them together below,
indicating the message number in brackets. To read the discussion
thread, simply add the number to the end of this address:
http://www.freepint.co.uk/cgi-bin/webbbs/config.pl?read=
For example, to read item 1277 you would visit the address:
http://www.freepint.co.uk/cgi-bin/webbbs/config.pl?read=1277
If it's easier, then just visit the Bar and pick the message(s)
you're interested in <http://www.freepint.co.uk/bar>.
Well, I don't know what it says about Webmasters, but they certainly
seem to have a propensity to propping up the Bar.
For Web site designers, issues covered over the last two weeks
include how to automatically check all the links on your site (1264),
and find out what it looks like in various browsers (1222). Also
whether anyone is producing design standards for Web sites (1205).
For actual builders of sites there was a whole thread on adding a
search facility (1211). More technically, discussion focused on the
advantages or otherwise of using Flash and DHTML on your
pages (1236). Also, the accuracy of cookies versus IP addressing
(1197) and how to FTP via the Web (1164).
Other Webmaster topics include how to promote a forum like the
Bar (1213) and the tricky subject of moderating the postings (1284).
Also, what happens if your domain host goes bust (1202) and where can
you find cheap Web site hosting (1242). Also, which are the most
popular sites in the UK (1221) and how much is being spent on
Internet advertising internationally (1267).
Recruiters were asked about the average recruitment cost for
"e-executives" (1154). On the job-seeking front, does anyone have
experience of CV Builder sites (1277) or UK freelance job boards
similar to guru.com (1226)?
Researchers had a wide variety of specific requests as usual. Do you
have experience of Infogreffe or finding other French private company
information (1260). How about information on student trends (1262) or
youth lifestyle research (1261)? There were suggestions of sites for
travel (1214), Catholic news (1163), and where to download
photos (1209) or find automotive mailing lists (1254).
Finally, I don't know if you were listening to the radio at 5.50am on
Monday, but I was interviewed about Free Pint and the forthcoming
Online Information 99 show. You can read a transcript online (1255).
Remember, if you want to read a discussion thread then simply add the
message number to the end of this address ...
http://www.freepint.co.uk/cgi-bin/webbbs/config.pl?read=
Otherwise, simply visit the Bar and see what is of interest. The
address is <http://www.freepint.co.uk/bar>
William Hann, Managing Editor
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Bar: Do you have a research question or Web-related comment? It's
easy to post a message at <http://www.freepint.co.uk/bar>
Digest: To have the latest Free Pint Bar postings sent to you every
other day, send a blank email to <digest@freepint.co.uk>
Archive: Dormant postings older than 45 days are moved to
<http://www.freepint.co.uk/cgi-bin/webbbs/archive/config.pl>
Email: To write to the Free Pint team, please send your email to
<feedback@freepint.co.uk>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
SUE HILL RECRUITMENT - Can you match our clients' requirements?
We are very lucky to count some of the world's top investment banks
and management consultancies amongst our clients.
Their requirements are exacting - for permanent & temporary roles.
We need candidates now who can rise to that challenge.
Sue Hill Recruitment & Services Ltd: Call by Stand 440 Online '99
Tel 020 7732 6671 www.suehill.com jobs@suehill.com
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [sh516]
FREE PINT FORTHCOMING ARTICLES
* Researching for TV * Internet Surveys * Legal Information *
* Travel Industry Resources * Portals * Architectural Sources *
* Review of Online Information 99 * Classical Music Sites *
* Knowledge Management * Researching the Researchers *
[Provisional]
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
>>> CAN WE TELL SOMEONE ABOUT FREE PINT ON YOUR BEHALF? <<<
Allow us to send your friends and colleagues a courteous
introduction to Free Pint, with the latest issue, by entering
their details at <http://www.freepint.co.uk/reco.htm>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Exciting times are ahead for Free Pint, and I thank you for your
continued interest and loyalty. If you can try to visit the Web site
on a regular basis (perhaps to visit the Bar or check out the archive)
then that will help us to build an even more influential community.
See you in two weeks!
Kind regards,
William Hann, Managing Editor
william@freepint.co.uk
(c) Free Pint Limited 1999
http://www.freepint.co.uk/
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
CONTACT INFORMATION
William Hann BSc MIInfSc, Founder and Managing Editor
e: william@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)1784 455435 f: +44 (0)1784 455436
Rex Cooke FIInfSc FRSA, Editor
e: rex@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)1784 455466 f: +44 (0)1784 455436
Lesley Robinson BA MBA, Business Development
e: lesley@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)20 8871 4284 f: +44 (0)20 8875 9165
Simon Collery BA, Business Development
e: simon@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)1685 434143 f: +44 (0)1784 455436
Jane, Administrator e: jane@freepint.co.uk
Address (no stamp needed)
Free Pint Limited, FREEPOST (SEA3901), Staines
Middlesex, TW18 3BR, United Kingdom
Web - http://www.freepint.co.uk
Advertising - ads@freepint.co.uk
Subscriptions - subs@freepint.co.uk
Letters & Comments - feedback@freepint.co.uk
Authors - http://www.freepint.co.uk/author.htm
Latest Issue Autoresponder - auto@freepint.co.uk
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Free Pint (ISSN 1460-7239) is a free newsletter written by information
professionals who share how they find quality and reliable information
on the Internet. Useful to anyone who uses the Web for their work, it
is published every two weeks by email.
To subscribe, unsubscribe, find details about contributing,
advertising or to see past issues, please visit the Web site at
http://www.freepint.co.uk/ or call +44 (0)1784 455 435.
Please note: Free Pint is a trademark of, and published by, Free Pint
Limited http://www.freepint.co.uk/. 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.
Product names used in Free Pint are for identification purposes only,
and may be trademarks of their respective owners. Free Pint disclaims
any and all rights in those marks. All rights reserved.
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
« Previous Newsletter Next Newsletter »
About this Newsletter
- Publication Date: 2nd December 1999
- Plain text
- Link: https://www.jinfo.com/go/newsletter/51
What's new at Jinfo?
From information retrieval to integrated intelligence - with Dow Jones
23rd January 2025
AI contracting and licensing; Strategic information managers; End-user training
10th December 2024
- Jinfo Community session (TBC - Mar 2025) (Community) 20th March 2025
- Jinfo Community session (TBC - Feb 2025) (Community) 25th February 2025
- From information retrieval to integrated intelligence - with Dow Jones (Community) 23rd January 2025
Learn more about the Jinfo Subscription