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23rd October 2008
No.263
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About FreePint
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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/>.
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Editorial
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By Sara Waddington
 Sharing information is key to helping others find it more quickly. In this issue of the FreePint newsletter, we examine quicker and more efficient ways of managing information from multiple data sources using Federated Search techniques, as well as corporate sharing information structures (corporate blogs).
Federated search - also known as metasearch or a distributed information retrieval system - provides one portal for searching information from multiple sources. In Jill Hurt-Wahl's article excerpt on Federated Search (part of the new FUMSI Search Report and Tool Kit), she lays out what federated search does and does not do well and identifies characteristics of organisations 'ready' for federated search.
 The full Federated Search Report and Tool Kit provides step-by-step guidance in conducting a needs assessment; understanding staff requirements; identifying appropriate federated search solutions; engaging in research on solutions and completing due diligence as well as measuring results. Case studies, figures, and ten hands-on activities make the Tool Kit customisable to your organisational needs.
Corporate blogging is on the increase, but what are the success factors for companies who use the technology well? Nick Reynolds relays his own experiences and tips for corporate bloggers, in his article 'Corporate Blogging: How To Be Open', based on his role as editor for the BBC's Internet blog.
Don't forget that next month's VIP includes a comparative review of Factiva, LN and Dialog - start a trial subscription by completing the form at <http://www.vivavip.com/sample.html>
FreePint is now soliciting nominations for the FUMSI Award for Most Useful Article. Any article published in the FUMSI database between December 2007 and September 2008 is eligible - both the author and article nominee will receive recognition and the award recipient will be announced at the FreePint stand (number 122) at the forthcoming Online Information exhibition. Send us your nomination today!
Sara Waddington
Senior Managing Editor
Free Pint Limited
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2008
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**Online Information Conference Early Bird Discounts end 7 Nov**
2-4 December 2008, Olympia, London
http://www.online-information.co.uk/promo/freepint2
Learn from information leaders from around the globe including a keynote presentation from Clay Shirky, author of Here Comes Everybody
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Planning to attend Online 2008? Let us know:
- Participate in the FreePint Special Report on Online 2008
- Learn when our editors will be delivering talks at our stand
- Request sample publications
If you can't make it to London, you can still get the benefit:
Complete the RSVP form, and we'll send you a free copy of the FreePint Special Report after the event!
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My Favourite Tipples
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By Penny Crossland
The broadcasting sector is in a constant state of flux. The following sources will help you keep abreast of changes:
- UK-based research company Screen Digest offers reports, newsletters and an online intelligence service on global media markets, including the TV, broadband and mobile sectors.
- The UK Government's Office of Communications publishes research and market data on the UK broadcasting sector and provides links to statistics and regulatory information.
- A good source for information on digital broadcasting is Broadband TV News. The site provides news, analysis and comment on all aspects of digital TV, as well as access to country profiles.
- The European Broadcasting Union's website has a downloadable directory of all European public services broadcasters with contact details. There are further links to legal and regulatory information.
- The Washington-based Pew Research Centre publishes State of the News Media each year. This comprehensive report provides statistics and analysis on the US broadcasting and newspaper sector.
Penny Crossland is a director of CH Business Research and specialises in research and analysis in all aspects of marketing and corporate due diligence.
Would you like to add your Favourite Tipples suggestions for the FreePint newsletter or write an article for FUMSI (Find, Use, Manage or Share Information?).
If so, please contact Sara Waddington at sara.waddington@freepint.com with your ideas or visit http://www.freepint.com/author/
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Develop Your Strengths with Quantum2
For a wide array of hands-on training and resource materials, turn to Quantum2, an innovative skills development programme provided *free* by Dialog. The programme helps information professionals:
- Expand your services through strategic and business competencies
- Improve flow of information in your organisation
- Gain visibility and build value for your work
Discover best practices, *plus* the know-how to implement them.
Free monthly newsletter and further information at:
http://quantum.dialog.com/
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Information Management Solutions Exhibition
2-4 December 2008, Olympia Grand Hall, London
Register free at http://www.online-information.co.uk/promo/freepint1
Discover latest Search, Content Management and Web 2.0 Solutions
Wide range of free seminars and case-studies
Unique networking opportunities
Plus - New Seminar Stream - Marketing Through Social Media
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FreePint Bar
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By Sara Waddington
Market and financial research recommendations, competitive intelligence software and commercial databases are hot topics on the Bar at the moment. See a round-up of recent conversations below and click through to join the discussion. Post your research dilemmas to the FreePint Bar. Post your research dilemmas to the FreePint Bar.
- One Barista is looking for any recent market research information on the training and development market in the UK. She is specifically searching for data on the experiential, executive leadership development niche markets. Can you help?
- Another Bar member wants to find sources for financial research as her job is changing and financial research is becoming part of it. Ideally, she is looking for a book to explain it.
- Can you help another 'Pinter who is looking for a 'fresh', updated report on competitive intelligence software including what is available, special features, prices, freeware, vendors etc? He is also interested in a report on the use of digital platforms to access competitive intelligence by senior management.
- Another Barista would appreciate some guidance and advice from Bar members on commercial databases which are competitively priced; include background material such as full text magazines and newspapers as far back as 10 years; academic journals (purely online/open access) and quality market research reports.
- A FreePinter has posted details of a course which may be of interest to other 'Pinters. The 3-day course, Innovations in Online Information, is running at the University of Brighton on the 1-3 December of this year.
- Nominate your favourite FUMSI article for the FUMSI Citation for Most Useful Article. Any FUMSI article published between December 2007 and September 2008 is eligible for this year's award, which will be announced at Online Information 2008, at the FreePint stand (#122). A list of articles eligible for the award (with links to the article) can be found on the nomination form. We look forward to learning how contributors have helped you FUMSI!
Sara Waddington is senior managing editor of Free Pint Ltd. She can be contacted at sara.waddington@freepint.com
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/>.
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FUMSI Features
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 FUMSI publishes articles, tools, and a monthly magazine, to give you practical help with information skills.
Visit http://www.fumsi.com/
However you Find, Use, Manage or Share Information, you'll find something in FUMSI to help.
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:
Introduction to Federated Search
FUMSI: Manage
Federated search is a powerful tool for organisations with multiple databases and content sets, but it is often misunderstood. In this clear introduction, expert Jill Hurst-Wahl lays out what federated search does and does not do well and identifies characteristics of organisations 'ready' for federated search. If you've been fielding questions (or have your own) about a search solution that works 'like Google' but inside your firewall, this is a great piece to share with colleagues.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Since every federated search software product is different, it is important for an organisation to understand what features are required, what benefits the organisation is seeking, and how it will be impacted by the shortcomings. It is also important for the organisation to understand the industry, since the industry - companies, products, and features - is in flux.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now. »
Corporate Blogging: How To Be Open
FUMSI: Share
Corporate blogging is on the increase, but what are the success factors for companies who use the technology well? Nick Reynolds relays his own experiences and tips for corporate bloggers, based on his role as editor for the BBC's Internet blog.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Sometimes people get twitchy about information which is already in the public domain. 'We don't want to draw attention it' they'll say. To which the obvious answer is 'so why did we make it public in the first place?'. Gently remind them that once it's on the Internet, it's on the Internet and therefore public forever. Someone will find it if they really want to and ignoring it won't make it go away. The answer is always to talk more, talk quickly, talk calmly.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Also recently Added to the FUMSI Database:
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Have we helped you FUMSI?
Let us know by nominating an article for this year's FUMSI Citation:
http://www.freepint.com/events/online-info-2008/citation/
If an article in the FUMSI database has helped you or your colleagues Find, Use, Manage or Share Information, take a minute to thank the author by nominating it for The FUMSI Citation for Most Useful Article.
All articles published between December 2007 and September 2008 are eligible.
Award to be announced at Online 2008.
Nominate Now »
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Jinfo - Jobs in Information
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 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 Dialog. Learn more at <http://quantum.dialog.com/>.
Here is a selection of the latest featured entries in the Jinfo database:
- Web Development & Communications Officer
Maternity cover up to a year
Recruiter: ASH Scotland
Country: United Kingdom
- Electronic Information Assistant
Maternity Cover - 9 months Fixed Term Contract
Recruiter: Thames Valley University
Country: United Kingdom
- Research Assistant
International financial organisation seeking permanent Research Assistant for London office
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
- Assistant Records Manager
12 month temp role on the Wirral in records management at a major FMCG company
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
- Legal Knowhow Officer
Immediate newly created permanent vacancy to work in the well established
Library & Information Department of top Law Practice.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Information Governance Officer
Maintain and promote policies, associated standards, sound working practices, and guidance for the Council on regulatory requirements
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney
Country: United Kingdom
[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/>
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Recently in VIP
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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 issue no. 58 includes:
- Face to Face: Insight into the value of face to face networking 'outside the walls' and how it can foster innovation.
- ebic Previewed: Two previews of TFPL's European Business Information Conference (ebic).
- Tools of the Trade: A look in depth at ISI Emerging Markets' IntelliNews and at Dow Jones Factiva's Companies and Executives.
- Towards Intranet 2.0: Chris McGrath suggests ten steps to transforming your intranet.
In the next VIP: We take a close look at BvD's Amadeus and FAME products.
Purchase VIP issue no. 58 from the VIP website, or start your subscription now.
Now publishing the VIP LiveWire
Commentary on the industry, by the VIP editorial team. Get its insight on trends, products, user needs and more. You do not need to subscribe to VIP Magazine in order to receive the free weekly headlines from the LiveWire (learn more and subscribe now).
Recent posts:
- Technorati released its annual report on the state of the Blogosphere. The report is broken down into an introductory section and five sections dealing with topics such as...
- Even the most irrepressible optimist must be struggling to work out to whom the ill wind currently blowing through the financial services sector brings any good. There will be no shortage of helpful ideas for survival over the coming months - and beleaguered information professionals owe it to themselves to look at them, even if that means a lot of false starts before something finally works.
- Events have moved fast since Outsell signed off on its latest Information Industry Market Size, Share & Forecast Report. Predicting a 4.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the industry to 2011, Outsell believes that the market will hold steady in 2009 and beyond, despite the challenging economy.
Request a sample issue of VIP, or start a trial subscription today for only GBP 80 for three months. Visit http://www.vivavip.com/sample.html to request a sample or start your trial.
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Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker
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 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:
- Resource of the Week:
Guide to the Global Economic Crisis. By Robert J. Tiess, Reference Department, Middletown (NY) Thrall Library.
Editors note: We are big fans of one-stop shopping sites here on ResourceShelf, and we are unabashedly partial to sites created by librarians. This weeks resource is both...and since the topic is especially timely, weve invited one of its creators to tell you about it.
Read the rest, including live links
DocuTicker publishes citations of full-text, free reports available on the web. Visit daily for new postings, or subscribe to the weekly DocuTicker Newsletter.
Highlights:
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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:
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Events
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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:
 United Kingdom:
 Netherlands:
Online:
Free listings
United Kingdom:
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*** Submit your event for free promotion ***
New upgrade option for enhanced listing coverage
<http://www.freepint.com/events/>
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Gold
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A look back at what FreePint covered at this time in previous years:
- FreePint No. 240, 25th October 2007. "Journal Lifecycle: Keeping Track of Periodicals" and "FUMSI Report Excerpt: Preparing and planning an audit"
- FreePint No. 216, 19th October 2006. "Outsourcing Research Information: An Introduction" and "IT Compliance Conference: Interesting Landscape on the Other Side of the Information Fence"
- FreePint No. 193, 27th October 2005. "Shifting Platforms - CD to online publishing" and "Measuring Public Relations"
- FreePint No. 170, 28th October 2004. "European Industrial Relations Sources" and "How European companies can turn the challenge of environmental regulation into profit"
- FreePint No. 147, 16th October 2003. "Insurance: a review of websites" and "Out of sight but not out of mind: virtual meetings"
- FreePint No. 123, 17th October 2002. "Is your site slow, medium or fast, and does it really matter? Essential Sources for Web Performance Analysis and Improvement" and "Taking the Plunge into the Entrepreneurial World of the Independent Information Professional"
- FreePint No. 98, 18th October 2001. "WAP Sites and the Mobile Internet" and "Working in Information in the UK Voluntary Sector"
- FreePint No. 73, 19th Ocotber 2000. "Geology On The Web" and "European Document Delivery Suppliers and Resources On The World Wide Web"
- FreePint No. 48, 21st October 1999. "Notes on the Net: A trawl around the Music Sites" and "Unblocking the Web: digital technology and the telephone line"
- FreePint No. 24, 15th October 1998. "How to select and optimise your PC Internet modem" and "A guide to Consumer Health Information on the 'Net"
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Forthcoming
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FORTHCOMING ARTICLES
[Provisional]
FUMSI
- Semantic Web
- Wikis
- Second Life for Business
- Asia Pacific Research Resources
- Avoiding 'Anti-Social' Networks
- Asking the Right Questions
- Web Analytics and Information Architecture
- How to turn raw data into effective market research
VIP
- Review of the Big Three
- Private Equity Explained
- Inside the Credit Crunch
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/>
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Contact Information
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Address:
Free Pint Limited
4-6 Station Approach Ashford, Middlesex TW15 2QN, United Kingdom
Telephone:
UK: 0870 141 7474 Int: +44 870 141 7474
Directions and maps: <http://www.freepint.com/contact.htm>
Contributors to this issue:
Sara Waddington (Senior Managing Editor, FreePint), Penny Crossland, Robin Neidorf (General Manager), William Hann (Publisher), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).
Advertisers/Sponsors:
Quantum2 from Dialog, Online Information, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, ASH Scotland, Thames Valley University, London Borough of Hackney, FUMSI, VIP, 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 forward this email 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 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.
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House, Lamer Lane, Wheathampstead, Herts, AL4 8RQ
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