|
22nd May 2008
No.253
|
About FreePint
|
FreePint is a global network of people who find, use, manage and share work-related information. Members receive this free twice-monthly newsletter, packed with tips, features and resources.
Joining FreePint is free at <http://www.freepint.com/> and connects information practitioners around the world with resources, events and answers to their tricky research and information questions at the FreePint Bar, our free online forum: <http://www.freepint.com/bar/>.
Please share FreePint with others by forwarding this message. The FreePint Newsletter is available online in several formats and can be read, saved and forwarded at <http://www.freepint.com/issues/>.
|
|
|
Editorial
|
By William Hann and Robin Neidorf
 At the first Earth Day back in 1970, the concept of treading lightly on the earth was pretty 'out there'. Hardly anyone recycled. Reduction of waste in industrial processes was the exception rather than the rule. Landfills took all manner of suspect waste. The earth was straining under the abuses of modern life.
 Nearly 40 years later, green isn't just a colour -- it's a way of life, and of business. What began as a grassroots effort to shift the culture of production and use has come to permeate nearly every aspect of consumer and commercial life.
Green initiatives have come of age not just because they redress environmental abuses. They are on a steep corporate adoption curve for a very simple reason: Green is good for business.
Consider two stories recently added to the FUMSI database and featured in this issue of FreePint:
 In 'The Greening of a Business: Beyond the Bottom Line', Beth Howell explains how global information company EBSCO Publishing has built awareness and protection of the environment into operations. From the improved recycling programme, to subsidies for public transportation usage, to changing lightbulbs, to providing reusable coffee mugs and water bottles, EBSCO has found numerous ways to make small differences that add up to a lot. Even IT can get into the act: As a major data publisher, EBSCO has integrated hibernation protocols into the power for its data stores, reducing the energy consumption of making data available 24/7.
The Royal Society of Chemistry's primary goal in building a robust virtual library may not have been environmental, but there's no doubt that going virtual enables libraries and their users to be green. Virtual libraries reduce or eliminate the need to drive to and from the centre, use energy at the library, make paper copies of documents to take away, and take a host of other waste-creating actions. Nigel Lees tells the story of how the RSC went digital and expanded its audience whilst reducing paper waste.
Both organisations achieve real-world business benefits through environmentally friendly initiatives. The RSC is better able to fulfil its goals of making its collection relevant and available. EBSCO has found that its green focus attracts positive PR and -- more significantly -- the attention of an educated talent pool of prospective employees who want to be part of a green company.
Free Pint Limited has also achieved unexpectedly green results from business decisions. As a publisher, we are part of an industry that has more than its share of resource waste -- particularly in the use of paper. Although we publish our materials digitally, it used to be difficult for users to print just what they needed. Printing the entire FreePint Newsletter was the easiest option for getting a single article of interest.
By moving articles to the FUMSI database as individual files, we've now given you the option to print *just* what you need, with no waste. A secure 'save' function enables the creation of personalised, paper-free records of articles of interest. These functions are free through the support of our sponsors -- as is the content in the database itself. More »
What's your organisation's green policy? Has it changed how you work? Share your thoughts -- no waste! -- at the FreePint Bar.
William Hann, Publisher
Robin Neidorf, General Manager
Free Pint Limited
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2008
|
|
|
|
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/
|
|
|
|
My Favourite Tipples
|
By Adrian Janes
- Agent 55 is a comprehensive metasearch engine, allowing the same search to be run through various search engines in quick succession. Tabs for Blogs, News, Visual Web etc. help to focus searches.
- British Library Virtual Reference Library features essential online reference tools, in categories from Abbreviations/acronyms through to Weather. The majority are free, with the added cachet of having been chosen by British Library staff.
- The EGovernment Register gives information about eGovernment software and hardware employed by UK local authorities. In doing this, it also links conveniently to many sources of statistical information on each authority.
- Northcote Data offers business information on UK companies. It can be searched alphabetically, by FTSE index or by sector. Includes links to financial and annual reports (usually going back several years) and press releases.
- The Paris Review has been interviewing significant writers in-depth since 1953. This site indexes all of the interviews, and reproduces some in their entirety (e.g. Aldous Huxley, Doris Lessing, Allen Ginsberg).
Adrian Janes is an Information Services Librarian with the London Borough of Havering.
Back to top ^
|
|
|
|
Back By Popular Demand:
Handwriting Analysis
Visit Dow Jones Booth 401
SLA Annual Conference
15th - 18th June 2008, Seattle, USA
|
|
|
|
Market Research Products, Researched for You VIP Explores Offerings in Detail - March and April 2008:
Our two-issue series on market research exposes the pros and cons of popular products in the industry. Compare the features and benefits of such products as:
- MarketResearch.com
- Research & Markets
- Packaged Facts
- Oxygen from Mintel
- Profound
- Euromonitor
- Snapshots
- Business Insights
- Verdict Research
Special offer: Start your VIP subscripton with the April issue, and receive March free (a GBP 54 value). Select your subscription level and then reply to your order confirmation with the discount code 'MKTRSCH' to receive March's issue at no additional cost. Details »
|
|
|
FreePint Bar
|
By Monique Cuvelier
 The
FreePint Bar is generously sponsored by Dow Jones Factiva
Foreign language is a hot topic on the Bar, as are computing questions. See a roundup of recent conversations below, and click through to join in the discussion. Post your research dilemmas to
the FreePint Bar
- English speakers are lucky, because almost anywhere they travel around the world, someone else is likely to also speak English. That doesn't mean it's not polite or helpful to learn a few words in another language, as one Bar member is attempting to do. Find some ideas for helpful translations
- If your translation needs gear more specifically toward Arabic, look at this posting from a Barista seeking a good Arabic-English translation site or software that's smart enough for legal documents.
- It seems like a simple question, but the answer is surprisingly complex. A FP Bar member is wondering what hardware and software is needed to host a website. A few fellow posters have written careful and informative instructions on why you need to ask more questions before finding an answer.
- Windows Vista has been causing a rumble since it appeared, but that doesn't mean Windows XP users are at peace with their operating system - thanks to viruses. Some solid advice on fighting the war against malevolent computing here.
- The consensus is that graduate trainee post are indeed as useful as they've ever been, according to posters, especially in business and corporate libraries. Find more insight into the topic here or flip through the pages of Jinfo for more details on finding work.
Monique Cuvelier is editor of the FreePint Newsletter. 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 ^
|
|
|
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, which are free to read, browse, email, print or save. Here are the most recent additions:
The Greening of a Business: Looking Beyond the "Bottom Line" to Become a Better Corporate Citizen FUMSI: Manage
"Going green" is no longer a fad but a serious business consideration for corporations that want to show employees, customers and the wider community that they care about protecting the environments in which they operate. Beth Howell gives an overview of how EBSCO Publishing has used green initiatives to save energy and reduce waste, and why EBSCO considers those initiatives a key to their long-term success.
WHAT'S INSIDE: For EBSCO, green initiatives have enhanced the company's visibility among potential employees. EBSCO is constantly growing and at any time has about 40 open positions ranging from entry level jobs to high tech and highly-specific jobs including from abstractors and subject experts, product managers, medical editors and software engineers. During the interview and hiring, the green initiatives are a selling point.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now. »
"If Members Won't Come: The Royal Society of Chemistry Builds a Virtual Library" FUMSI: Share
When the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Library was faced with declining visits at a time when the level of enquiries remained constant, staff began exploring how to serve members better and save money in doing so. Nigel Lees describes the challenges and benefits of transitioning from a traditional print-based environment to a virtual one.
WHAT'S INSIDE: Publishers were not sure what to make of us at first. We were not an academic library, not a public library, not an industrial library and were independently funded by our learned society primarily for the use of its membership, though in practice we have been very welcoming to many user groups.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Also recently Added to the FUMSI Database:
Back to top ^
|
|
|
Jinfo - Jobs in Information
|
 The Jinfo service enables you to search and advertise information- related job vacancies.
Start a free subscription to receive the weekly Jinfo Jobs Update, with a complete list of the latest vacancies, or search the database at any time (free).
Jinfo Jobs in the FreePint Newsletter are supported through our partnership with Quantum2, an innovative skills development programme offered by Thomson Scientific. Learn more at <http://scientific.thomson.com/quantum2/>.
Here is a selection of the latest featured entries in the Jinfo database:
- Corporate Records Manager
Conducting information audits, implementing retention policies, and leading scanning projects.
Recruiter: Tribal Resourcing
Country: United Kingdom
- Records Management & EDRM Project Officer
1 year fixed term contract
Recruiter: South Bedfordshire District Council
Country: United Kingdom
- Librarian - Part Time Maternity Cover
To manage and promote the Sweet & Maxwell legal reference library and support the London Thomson University Learning Centre
Recruiter: Thomson Reuters
Country: United Kingdom
- EDRMS Project Manager
As part of an ambitious records management programme by a government advisory agency, leading the implementation of an EDRMS.
Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Senior Marketing Executive, Legal Sector
A market leader in providing online and print business information solutions globally is currently...
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
- Job Research Consultant
The role provides pro active job search for vacancies for both in office and out of office candidates (via some Next Move Centres)
Recruiter: Right Management Ltd
Country: United Kingdom
- Research Manager
Business Intelligence Manager required in new position to manage small research team for expanding Consultancy in Central London.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Legal Librarian
Do you speak fluent French? An international law firm is recruiting for a role based in Paris. This...
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: France
[The above jobs are paid listings]
NB: These are just a selection of information-related jobs in the Jinfo database <http://www.jinfo.com/>. Receive the latest job listings weekly with the free Jinfo Update. Free to subscribe at <http://www.jinfo.com/>
Jinfo -- the best place for information-related job vacancies.
- JOB SEARCHING?
-- Free search and sign up to the Jinfo Newsletter
- RECRUITING?
-- Complete the form and advertise a vacancy for just GBP195 <http://www.jinfo.com/recruit/>
-- 10% discount for agencies
-- 50% discount for registered charities
Find out more today at <http://www.jinfo.com/>
Back to top ^
|
|
|
|
|
|
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/>
|
|
|
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.
 VIP issue no. 53 includes:
- Market Intelligence: VIP looks into two leading market research services, Packaged Facts and Mintel's 'Oxygen', and provides an overview of the field.
- Buried Treasure: The editor of Alacra's 'Research Recap' gives us the benefit of his experience in highlighting interesting market research sources frequently overlooked by the traditional media.
- Under Pressure: As the banking and finance crisis deepens, credit ratings agencies are facing high-level calls for reform on both sides of the Atlantic.
Purchase this issue from the VIP website, or start your subscription now: <http://web.vivavip.com/go/vip/>
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:
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 ^
|
|
|
| Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker
|
|
Events
|
It is free to search and advertise information-related gatherings in FreePint Events »
Premium listings
These events are hosted by our partner organisations and/or advertisers:
- "Web 2.0 Strategies"
12th June 2008
Web 2.0 Strategies is the UKs leading forum for exploring real-world implementations of web 2.0 and enterprise tools and techniques.
Taking inspiration from web 2.0 itself, the event breaks apart the traditional conference format to create an intensive and highly interactive agenda, which brings together practitioners, expert commentators, 2.0 pioneers and technology gurus.
Speakers & Topics include:
- Opening Keynote: The strategic value of enterprise 2.0 -Dion Hinchcliffe, Business Strategist and Enterprise Architect; Editor-in-Chief, Social Computing Magazine; President & CTO, Hinchcliffe & Company
- Lead Associate Collections and Core Content
- James Gardner, Head of Innovation & Research, Lloyds TSB
- Simon Wardley, Independent Consultant
- Johnnie Moore, Facilitator & Marketing Consultant
- Jeff Schick, Vice President, Social Computing Software, IBM
- Artur Bergman, Director of Engineering, Wikia
- Julie Meyer, Founder & CEO, Ariadne Capital
Participants will learn how web 2.0 and enterprise 2.0 are rewiring the way organizations work. Discover what works and what doesnt -- in the real world!
For full programme details and to book your place, visit http://www.web2strategies.co.uk, or contact Lorna Candy on +44 (0) 7316 9649 lorna.candy@incisivemedia.com. If you book by 17th April you will benefit from an early bird discount.
Organised by: Incisive Media
Date: 12th June 2008
Location: Olympia, London
<http://www.freepint.com/go/e1282>
Free listings
 United Kingdom:
 Australia and Territories:
 United States:
 Czech Republic:
 Switzerland:
 South Africa:
*** Submit your event for free promotion ***
New upgrade option for enhanced listing coverage
<http://www.freepint.com/events/>
Back to top ^
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Your Expertise with a Global Audience
We're constantly seeking case studies, how-to articles, and hands-on
insight to help others find, use, manage and share information at work. Contact any of our editorial team with your suggestions and submissions:
|
|
|
Gold
|
A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in previous years:
- FreePint No. 230, 24th May 2007. "Mentors and Mentees: Structuring a Professional Relationship" and "Development 2.0: A New Paradigm for the Non-Profit Sector?"
- FreePint No. 206, 18th May 2006. "Beyond the library walls - establishing an information literacy programme for a dispersed user group" and "How the financial world goes round - a primer on financial information resources"
- FreePint No. 183, 26th May 2005. "Bullying at Work" and "Specialist Tribunals - Your Guide to Informal Justice"
- FreePint No. 160, 27th May 2004. "Online Information Online - behind the scenes of a virtual event" and "The Semantic Web is Your Friend"
- FreePint No. 137, 15th May 2003. "Net the Ancestors: the Internet and Family History" and "Business Continuity and Recovery - An Asian Perspective"
- FreePint No. 112, 16th May 2002. "Video Games Industry Research" and "Weblogs and Blogging - Part 2"
- FreePint No. 88, 24th May 2001. "Waste on the WWW" and
"Images on the Web"
- FreePint No. 63, 25th May 2000. "Maximising Press and PR Exposure via the Internet" and "XML : Perception to Practice"
- FreePint No. 39, 27th May 1999. "Lingo on-line - Languages resources on the World Wide Web" and "Central and Eastern European Web Sources"
- FreePint No. 15, 28th May 1998. "Web Slavery - Automating Information Retrieval" and "Food Industry Information on the Web"
Back to top ^
|
|
|
Forthcoming
|
FORTHCOMING ARTICLES
[Provisional]
- EU Documents
- Information needs of small and growing businesses... and how to meet them
- Information Architecture conference coverage
- Copyright Summit conference coverage
- Determining 'Excellence': how one judge made the cut
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 ^
|
|
|
Contact Information
|
Address:
Free Pint Limited
4-6 Station Approach Ashford, Middlesex TW15 2QN, United Kingdom
Telephone:
UK: 0870 141 7474 Int: +44 870 141 7474
Directions and maps: <http://www.freepint.com/contact.htm>
Contributors to this issue:
William Hann (Managing Editor, FreePint), Robin Neidorf (General Manager, FreePint), Adrian Janes, Monique Cuvelier (Contributing Editor: Share), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).
Advertisers/Sponsors:
Dowjones Factiva, Thomson Scientific, Weekes Gray Recruitment, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, Tribal Resourcing, South Bedfordshire District Council, Thomson Reuters, Right Management Ltd, VIP, ResourceShelf, 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, General Manager, <robin.neidorf@freepint.com> for more details. Product names used in FreePint are for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners. FreePint disclaims any and all rights in those marks. All rights reserved.
FreePint is published by Free Pint Limited, registered in England and
Wales. Registered Number: 3754418. Registered Office: Delaport Coach
House, Lamer Lane, Wheathampstead, Herts, AL4 8RQ
Back to top ^
|
|
|
