 | 14th February 2008
No.246 |
About FreePintFreePint 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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| EditorialBy William Hann and Robin Neidorf  Data becomes information, which becomes knowledge. This essential algebra is part of every information professional's early training. Whether we spend our time gathering the data, interpreting it or acting on it, we're always part of that continuum from raw material to actionable insight.
But the shoemaker's children tend to go barefoot. As busy as we can be applying this skills on behalf of clients and business objectives, it's easy to forget about them when it comes to our own departments or desks. Gathering and analysing information on a vendor? Researching internal skills and voids? Too busy; too much to do; another deadline takes priority. Someday we'll make the time ... as if time could be manufactured like microchips or motorbikes.  Anja Thygesen bucks that trend, with her contribution to the FUMSI article database, featured in this issue's FUMSI Features section, below. She generously shares her research-and-analysis approach to managing a team of researchers. Using the same skills they ordinarily apply to delivering results to clients, Anja's group studies, well, themselves - their interests and skills - and documents what they learn in an easy-to-use matrix. By reading the matrix, they can spot needs before they become problems and identify their strengths as a team, working on behalf of their organisation..
 A visual tool like a matrix can be extraordinarily useful for making sense of raw data. In his FUMSI article on using statistical information, Chris Murphy offers a number of tips that even the most number-phobic individual can use to turn data into meaningful information.
VIP Magazine specialises in analysing what's happening in the information industry. In the new LiveWire feature, described in more detail in the VIP section below, our editorial team processes the latest news and trends. They take the news a step further, from information to knowledge. Get it free on the web, even if you are not (yet) a VIP subscriber. And then? What happens with knowledge? Better decisions, better business. Have you used a FreePint resource to do your work better? Share it with us, as an article or testimonial. Submit article ideas to sara.waddington@freepint.com , and offer your testimonial online at any time. We're also seeking the knowledge it takes to do business better. If you have feedback about any of our publications, sites or resources, please let us know. William Hann, Publisher
Robin Neidorf, General Manager
Free Pint Limited P.S. Is your organisation looking for new people? Post a job to Jinfo and reach a targeted audience of skilled information practitioners.
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2008 
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Everybody FUMSI! <http://www.fumsi.com/> Free Pint Limited's newest offering
However you Find, Use, Manage or Share Information, FUMSI can help: - Searchable article database of tips and features
- Access information by practice area
- Share, print or reuse articles easily with online interface
Now online: FUMSI Magazine Issue 1: <http://web.fumsi.com/go/magazine/>
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Executive Search Products -- Free and Fee <http://web.vivavip.com/go/vip/> Searching for information on business executives? The major vendors offer options, as do some web-based free and fee products. Read about them in January's VIP. Plus an in-depth review of BoardEx, a niche product that gives researchers a unique view of corporate board compositions and relationships. Order your copy today (GBP 54), or start your subscription now:
<http://www.vivavip.com/order/> |
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| My Favourite TipplesBy Ed Keating I have always been intrigued by sites that provide great content, thoughtful navigation or both. The sites I've recommended below are ones I use on a regular basis to keep me informed and entertained. - <http://www.paidcontent.org> Rafat Ali's burgeoning media company is a must read for anyone in the information industry. He often scoops the establishment press on big stories and interjects humorous and poignant commentary.
- <http://www.epicurious.com/> As the primary cook in the family I constantly need to enhance my repertoire and this site helps by providing a clever "menu walk" feature to help select recipes. The ability to share and comment on recipes also enhances the site.
- <http://www.kayak.com/> Although there are many travel sites, I have found this one to be comprehensive and quick. It even links out to independent airlines not found on other sites. The "slide bar" navigation helps narrow choices quickly.
- <http://www.netvibes.com/> After auditioning a number of RSS solutions, I have settled upon this site which aggregates all my RSS feeds as well as other sources of news and entertainment.
- At <http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/>, you'll find a companion website to a very successful NY Times email newsletter of the same name. Dealbook provides excellent coverage of deals across all industries with emphasis on M&A, investment banking, IPOs, venture capital and more.
Ed Keating is Vice President / Content Division of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA, <http://www.siia.net/>). The association provides a forum for companies that are in the business of publishing and distributing online content, or offer technologies and services that facilitate the distribution of information products. Back to top ^ |
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Regional Research Series: Jump-Start Your Project with an Insider's View <http://web.fumsi.com/go/report/find/> FUMSI Regional Research Reports will help research projects get off to the right start, by highlighting quality sources -- free and paid -- for research in key regions. Now available: European Union and Middle East/North Africa Read more and purchase online. 50% discount for FUMSI subscribers.
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Latest Trends in Social Media: How to Listen Effectively and Engage in the Conversation The recorded presentation is now available Join the Dow Jones webcast and hear Jeremiah Owyang, Senior Analyst at Forrester Research and Glenn Fannick from Dow Jones discuss the latest trends in social media.
Listen now and feel free to share with others <http://digbig.com/4whrp> |
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| FreePint BarBy Monique Cuvelier <http://www.freepint.com/bar> The FreePint Bar is generously sponsored by Dow Jones Factiva  Cabin fever strikes the FreePint Bar this month, with questions about how to pack for holidays, and what sort of search engines exist aside from Google. Plus, other intriguing research questions; read summaries below, and ask your questions at the Bar <http://www.freepint.com/bar>.
- This month's issue of FUMSI features an article on digital archives of special collections, so a question on the FreePint Bar fits right in. Someone is looking for recommendations on organisations that provide archive management Services in the UK and Asia-Pacific <http://www.freepint.com/go/b245967>. The main players are Iron Mountain and Recall, but does anyone know of others?
- Setting hourly fees is always a challenge, that's why there are so many discussions on the Bar about how to charge. One Bar member would like a ballpark figure of how much an external business information researcher would charge. Some interesting thoughts have surfaced <http://www.freepint.com/go/b241949>, and there's more information at Jinfo <http://www.jinfo.com>.
- Controlling stink is a careful science, and a FreePinter is wondering just how it's done with a rotary atomiser. You might be surprised at how many people have feedback to lend on this topic - the FreePint crew knows their smell-combat systems. Read more <http://www.freepint.com/go/b241146>.
- It's hard to imagine what life was like before Google, and if you're like millions of people around the world, you rely heavily on this search engine. But there's more out there, rest assured. Which do you use? <http://www.freepint.com/go/b244158>.
- A sunny holiday seems like an especially warming prospect during chilly February, so this topic on the Bar seems like a welcome diversion <http://www.freepint.com/go/b243733>. Someone is looking for a tool that lets you enter variables about an upcoming trip, and it will deliver a recommended packing list. Have you seen anything similar?
If you have a question relating to any aspect of information practice - finding it, using it, managing it or sharing it, post it to the Bar for help from colleagues around the world. You may also find help by browsing the FUMSI article database for previously published articles, based on hands-on experience.
Monique Cuvelier has been the editor of the FreePint Newsletter and now serves as the contributing editor for FUMSI's Share practice area. She has edited, launched and written for many magazines, newspapers and websites in the US and UK. Learn more about her at <http://www.onopoly.com/support/team/>.
The FreePint Bar is where you can get free help with your tricky research questions <http://www.freepint.com/bar> Help with study for information-related courses is available at the FreePint Student Bar <http://www.freepint.com/student>. Subscribe to the twice-weekly email digests at <http://www.freepint.com/subs/>. Back to top ^ |
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|  On the Ticker: Use DocuTicker for Full-Text Resources <http://www.docuticker.com/> Find free full-text reports put out by government agencies, NGOs, charities and other public interest organisations. Recent additions: - The Economics and Psychology of Personality Traits
- Monthly Labor Review January 2008
New! DocuTicker has its *own* newsletter. Subscribe today: <http://www.docuticker.com/
?page_id=15530> |
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| | FUMSI Features FUMSI publishes articles, tools, and a monthly magazine, to give you practical help with information skills. Visit http://www.fumsi.com/
However you Find, Use, Manage or Share Information, you'll find something in FUMSI to help. We add new articles to the FUMSI database in each practice area every month. Here are the most recent additions: "Evaluating Researchers: Developing a Skills Matrix"
FUMSI: Find Defining the attributes of a good researcher and their potential career paths is a must for information managers. Anja Thygesen offers tips for quantifying the evaluation process using a skills matrix that ties in to overall organizational goals, and provides transparency to employees and customers alike. WHAT'S INSIDE: 'The difficulty in this is to balance dream and reality. You may have a vision of a career path with a high degree of specialization, but is the rest of the organization ready to use a highly specialized researcher?' Read, print, save or forward this article now » "Statistics: Can You Really Believe the Figures?"
FUMSI: Use In research, it's comforting to work with numbers and statistics for their precision and clarity, but are they really so reliable? Chris Murphy points out common mistakes and confusion that researchers should be mindful of when performing quantitative research. WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Astonishing though it may sound, the loss of the US Mars Climate Orbiter space probe in 1999 was largely due to one design team working in Imperial units and another in metric. The failure to translate the measurements correctly ended up costing the American taxpayer some $125 million.' Read, print, save or forward this article now » Share your expertise with information practitioners around the world. We're looking for tips, case studies and other practical guides to finding, using, managing and sharing information. Submit your suggestions to sara.waddington@freepint.com Back to top ^ |
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| Jinfo - Jobs in Information The Jinfo service enables you to search and advertise information- related job vacancies.
The Jinfo Newsletter now features CV Makeovers, in which a job seeker's CV is critiqued and revised by specialists in the field as well as career tips for all experience levels. Read the latest edition and subscribe free at <http://www.jinfo.com/newsletter/>. Jinfo Jobs in the FreePint Newsletter are supported through our partnership with Quantum2, an innovative skills development programme offered by Thomson Scientific. Learn more at <http://scientific.thomson.com/quantum2/> Here is a selection of the latest featured entries in the Jinfo database: - Records Manager
Be Records Manager at this prestigious organisation, working on paper RM processes and preparing for a move to EDRMS
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8383>
- Senior Quant Researcher
Extensive exp. in: conducting quantitative research; questionnaire design; Data analysis; Advanced level proposal & report writing.
Recruiter: The Business Advantage Group plc
Country: United Kingdom <http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8408>
- Assistant Archivist - London
Full time or part time contract position for an Assistant Archivist working for a medical organisation based in central London.
Recruiter: Aslib, The Association for Information Management
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8463>
- Stand Alone Researcher - Strategy Consultants
Researcher for varied information projects to work full time (or 4 days p.w.) for niche Central London Strategy Consultancy.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8500>
- New Business Development Executive, Corporate
An excellent opportunity for a highly motivated Sales Professional to join one of the world's leading forecasting companies.
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8525>
- Research and Knowledge Manager
Work in a cutting-edge chambers, implementing and managing a research and library facility for our practitioners.
Recruiter: Doughty Street Chambers
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8528>
- Learning Resource Centre Manager
School Librarian required immediately on a short term basis to work in a West London Academy during term time only.
Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8529>
- Research Executive
Join Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer as a Research Executive supporting our business development through research and analysis.
Recruiter: Capital Consulting
Country: United Kingdom
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j8539>
[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/>
Subscribe to the free Weekly update of the latest jobs, plus the monthly newsletter with career tips:
<http://www.jinfo.com/subs/>
Jinfo -- the best place for information-related job vacancies. - JOB SEARCHING?
-- Free search and sign up to the Jinfo Newsletter
- RECRUITING?
-- Complete the form and advertise a vacancy for just GBP195 <http://www.jinfo.com/recruit/>
-- 10% discount for agencies
-- 50% discount for registered charities
Find out more today at <http://www.jinfo.com/> Back to top ^ |
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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 Thomson Scientific. The programme helps information professionals: - Expand your services through strategic and business competencies
- Improve flow of information in your organisation
- Gain visibility and build value for your work
Discover best practices, *plus* the know-how to implement them.
Free monthly newsletter and further information at:
<http://scientific.thomson.com/
quantum2/> |
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*** Adding staff this year? Recruit on Jinfo! *** <http://www.jinfo.com/> A cost-effective listing on Jinfo reaches active and passive candidates with the skills you need. Include a FUMSI category, and your vacancy will also be included on the FUMSI website and FUMSI Magazine for even broader reach! Get started today: <http://www.jinfo.com/recruit/>
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| Recently in VIP
 VIP publishes in-depth, unbiased reviews of business information products. If you purchase or use premium information resources, make VIP part of your professional reading every month.
NEW: Now publishing the VIP LiveWire Commentary on the industry, by the VIP editorial team. Get their insight on trends, products, user needs and more.  Recent posts:
The VIP Wire offers press releases in the information industry. Post for free, and subscribe to receive headlines weekly: < http://web.vivavip.com/forum/Wire/> Request a sample issue of VIP, or start a trial subscription today for only GBP 70 for three months. Trial offer is not available through the Web site; email support@vivaVIP.com for details. Back to top ^ |
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| Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker Every week, the editors of ResourceShelf explore a Resource of the Week. Get them for free every week via email by subscribing to the ResourceShelf Newsletter.
Recently published:
UN Environmental Programme Maps and Graphics Library If you're one of our regulars here at ResourceShelf, you know that we are map junkies. There is no such thing as Too Many Maps. So we are
happy, happy, joy, joy that the database at the UNEP/GRID-Arendal Maps and Graphics library currently contains more than 1,000 items. What you need to know about UNEP/GRID-Arendal:
Full posting with live links at: <http://digbig.com/4wjcq> What you need to know about UNEP/GRID-Arendal:
Full posting with live links at: <http://digbig.com/4wjcq>
DocuTicker publishes citations of full-text, free reports available on the web. Visit daily for new postings, or subscribe to the weekly DocuTicker Newsletter. Collection of Note: Internet
The internet has changed the way businesses operate, people connect and communicate and the way we interact with information every day. DocuTicker's collection of reports shows how different agencies and organisations are studying the phenomenon. View the collection » Highlights: Back to top ^ |
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| EventsIt is free to search and advertise information-related gatherings in FreePint Events <http://www.freepint.com/events/>. Premium listings These events are hosted by our partner organisations and/or advertisers: - "Changing to survive: Breaking professional boundaries"
26 February 2008
The Civil Service is going through a radical programme of change and this is having a major impact on the Government information management specialist sector. Change is focused on concentrating resources on those areas of the Government that deliver effective, high impact services to the public and ensuring that those involved in delivering the changes have the professional skills and training.
The key challenge for information management specialists within the public sector is to demonstrate how our skills and expertise can make a significant contribution to delivering and embedding change to our customers.
Organised by:NGLIS
Location:Church House Conference Centre, Dean's Yard, Westminster, London SW1P 3NZ
CountryUnited Kingdom
http://www.freepint.com/go/e992
- "Packaging, Promoting and Persuading"
28 February 2008
*Webinar*
This session discusses the business competencies necessary for marketing yourself and the information centre. Outcomes are a clearer understanding of the three Ps of marketing and the basics of a marketing plan.
Organised by:Thomson Scientific
Location:Amsterdam
Country:Netherlands
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e1015>
- "Linking Information Services to Compelling Business Events"
13th March 2008
*Webinar*
One of the ways Information Professionals can add value to their organization is to identify the underlying business need driving a research request. This helps Information Professionals move the request up the value chain and add depth to their information services.
Organised by:Thomson Scientific
Location:New York
Country:United States
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e1016>
- "Search Engine Meeting"
28 - 29 April 2008
This annual meeting, now in its 13th year, provides a forum and point- of-reference for all those interested in the domain of Search and Retrieval. The Meeting draws together those with a professional interest in search engines - such as search engine designers and developers - and those interested in applying search engines in their own professional environments. Search is at the heart of information retrieval; and the Search Engine Meeting provides an annual point of reference as to what is happening in this fast-moving and exciting field.
Organised by infonortics
Location: Boston, MA, USA
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e989>
- "Managing Up: Partnering with Stakeholders to Achieve Result"
15th May 2008
*Webinar*
This workshop focuses on techniques for building the credibility and relationships necessary to inspire productive change. It offers tips on communicating effectively with anyone who might affect the success of your work projects, by identifying and working with specific influencing or relationship building tactics and styles. In short, we look at how we "manage up" to achieve the results that we want for our service.
Organised by:Thomson Scientific
Location:London
Country:United Kingdom
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e1017>
Free listings  United Kingdom:
 United States:
*** Submit your event for free promotion ***
New upgrade option for enhanced listing coverage <http://www.freepint.com/events/>
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| Gold A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in previous years: - FreePint No. 223, 1st February 2007. "Why I Prefer Hardcopy" and "Paperless Myth: Rumours of Paper's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/010207.htm>
- FreePint No. 199, 2nd February 2006. "Learning languages online" and "Bar Orphans: Getting your questions answered at the FreePint Bar" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/020206.htm>
- FreePint No. 176, 10th February 2005. "Understanding Consumers through Online Competitive Intelligence" and "Child Rights: Is Information really free for all?" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/100205.htm>
- FreePint No. 153, 5th February 2004. "Disintegrating Digital Fences: Finding Business Information in Ukraine and its Neighbouring Countries" and "10 things you should know about the UK's Freedom of Information regime" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/050204.htm>
- FreePint No. 130, 6th February 2003. "Online Library Catalogues" and "Patent Searching Without Words - Why Do It, How To Do It?" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/060203.htm>
- FreePint No. 105, 7th February 2002. "Business Information in Germany" and "Pay Per Click Search Engines and Promoting your Website" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/070202.htm>
- FreePint No. 80, 1st February 2001. "An adventure in ADSL: the Superhighway finally becomes 'super'?" and "E-Books" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/010201.htm>
- FreePint No. 55, 3rd February 2000. "Classical Music Web Sites" and "Researching the Researchers - Finding Market Research Agencies on the Web" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/030200.htm>
- FreePint No. 31, 4th February 1999. "Researching from home" and "Internet Resources for Seniors" <http://www.freepint.com/issues/040299.htm>
- FreePint No. 7, 5th February 1998. "Fabricating Information" and "Engineering resources: examples and sources" < http://www.freepint.com/issues/050298.htm>
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| ForthcomingFORTHCOMING ARTICLES
[Provisional] - Ethical Acquisitions
- Special Collections
- Corporate IT convergence
- Collaborative Search Strategies
- RSS on the Go
- Managing a Team of Researchers
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/> Back to top ^ |
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| Contact InformationAddress: 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: Ed Keating, Chris Murphy, Anja Thygesen, Sara Waddington (Senior Managing Editor, FUMSI), Monique Cuvelier (Contributing Editor: Share), Robin Neidorf (General Manager, FreePint), Shirl Kennedy (Senior Editor, ResourceShelf and DocuTicker), Pam Foster (Editor, VIP), William Hann (Managing Editor, FreePint), Penny Hann (Production Editor, FreePint), Douglas Brown (Proofreader). Advertisers/Sponsors: Doughty Street Chambers, The Business Advantage Group plc, Factiva, Capital Consulting, Thomson Scientific, Weekes Gray Recruitment, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, Aslib, VIP, DocuTicker, Jinfo.
(c) Free Pint Limited 1997-2008 <http://www.freepint.com/>
Technology by Willco <http://www.Willco.com/> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your subscriptions or password, visit <http://www.freepint.com/subs/> or email <support@freepint.com>. For details about contributing, advertising or to see past issues, please visit the Web site at <http://www.freepint.com/>. Please note: FreePint (ISSN 1460-7239) is a registered trademark of, and published by, Free Pint Limited. The publishers will NEVER make the subscriber list available to any other company or organisation. The opinions, advice, products and services offered herein are the sole responsibility of the contributors. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. This publication may be freely copied and/or distributed in its entirety. However, individual sections MAY NOT be copied and/or distributed without the prior written agreement of the publishers. Write to Robin Neidorf, Managing Editor, <robin.neidorf@freepint.com> for more details. Product names used in FreePint are for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners. FreePint disclaims any and all rights in those marks. All rights reserved. FreePint is published by Free Pint Limited, registered in England and Wales. Registered Number: 3754418. Registered Office: Delaport Coach House, Lamer Lane, Wheathampstead, Herts, AL4 8RQ Back to top ^ |
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