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22nd October 2009
No.288
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About FreePint
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FreePint publishes newsletters, websites, magazines and resources for the information industry. The FreePint Family of publications publishes practical tips, product reviews, expert tips, research collections and hands-on tools to support information work of all kinds. The FreePint Bar provides a Q&A forum for getting your research questions answered and building a network of peers worldwide.
This twice-monthly free FreePint Newsletter serves as a guide to the latest content, including discussion at the Bar, tips articles, vacancies, professional development events, product reviews, editorial commentary and more. Subscribing is free and connects you with the information community around the world. Subscribe today.
The latest announcements, including publication contents, can always be found at the FreePint Feed. Subscribe to RSS for the FreePint Feed for fastest updates.
Please share FreePint with others by forwarding this newsletter.
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Editorial
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By Robin Neidorf
 Recently I've had the opportunity to present a seminar on social media to senior-level retail merchants. These very smart people understand their complex businesses, but they are flummoxed by the challenge of incorporating social media into their strategies.
I showed them ways of gathering intelligence, tracking their presence (and that of their competitors), and even helped them find their own companies' blogs and Twitter feeds.
Previously, I knew little about what merchandise planners might need from social media. But I merged my knowledge of what's possible in new media (drawing in part on the FUMSI Report: Social Media in the Enterprise) with enough research into what their business concerns are to create middle ground for meaningful discussion.
 It was stressful to take the leap into a different environment, but none of us can afford to keep applying our knowledge in the same way for the same people over and over. A knack for reinvention is now fundamental to success. Turn what you know inside out. Apply it to a new industry. Rethink it through another business lens. Comfort zone? What's that?
In 'Social Media Strategy: How I became an expert in 3 days', FUMSI contributor Ann Danylkiw shows how she jumped into a new area. Use her approach the next time you spot an opportunity to become the expert on a new technology, resource or market.
Some problems are thornier than others: Ian Davis explains the difficulty in applying information management principles to image collections, in 'Image Findability: Improving through Tags'. Compare his insights to some of the data you'll find in the new FUMSI Report: Folio on Taxonomies and Tagging (included in FUMSI subscriptions, or available by separate purchase).
Meanwhile, VIP's LiveWire demonstrates just how many disparate areas of knowledge today's info pro needs to cultivate: international copyright, free and fee models for news coverage, paper versus digital record-keeping... and how social media policies and practices may impact tomorrow's talent pool.
Even associations have to reinvent themselves: Our friends at the Special Libraries Association have put forward a proposed name change to better reflect the organisation and its members. Members can vote on the proposed name change through 9 December, so plan to visit their stand during Online Information 2009, to get your questions answered.
And during your circuit around the exhibition floor, don't neglect to stop to see FreePint at Stand #122 and share with us how you're reinventing yourself. There's a lot going on -- we want to be sure FreePint resources help you make sense of it. Let us know you're coming by completing our RSVP form. If you can't make it to Online, complete the form anyway, and we'll provide you with post-event reporting.
Robin Neidorf
General Manager
FreePint
P.S. The information industry itself is also undergoing reinvention, and no area is encountering more change than the news sector. Share your perspective by completing VIP's survey on news needs and preferences - you'll get a copy of the report upon publication in November.
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2009
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Today's knowledge economy is powered by information but operates on Internet
time. Knowledge workers have access to more information than ever, but less time for decision making.
Dow Jones Enterprise Media Group combines
respected reporting with innovative technologies to drive additional value from news, data and information.
For our customers, this means increased
productivity and competitive advantage, all of which lead to a more intelligent - and profitable enterprise.
Download our free ebook on value in the knowledge-driven enterprise »
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IMS 2009 Exhibition
1-3 December 2009, Olympia Grand Hall, London
Register for free entry online »
- Discover latest Search, Content Management and Web 2.0 Solutions
- Wide range of free seminars and case-studies including the popular
- 'Marketing Through Social Media' stream
- Unique networking opportunities
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My Favourite Tipples
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By Carolyn J. Sosnowski
- New to the social networking game, or just need some tools and tips? Mashable has it all. Use the Megalists as a quick reference on whom to follow on Twitter or as a place to start when you need, well, just about anything in the Web 2.0 world. Plus, Mashable's the source for social media news.
- Where else can you shop by color? I can't say enough good things about Etsy, a fabulous place (a community, really) to find handmade goods, from jewelry to costumes to ceramics, for sale. Review the wide array of offerings by category, or use the advanced search tool to find that perfect gift (or a treat for yourself).
- Point your blog readers to Bits and Gadgetwise, technology blogs from the New York Times. You'll find industry and product news, reviews, and a healthy dose of comments from fellow readers.
- Although we extol the virtues of libraries of all types, some of the materials we own need to go.
The bloggers at Awful Library Books, which could also be called Amusing Library Books, present books from public libraries that are outdated, insulting, and/or just plain ridiculous. Each blog post includes a cover photo, citation, and hysterical commentary.
Carolyn J. Sosnowski is the Information Center and E-Learning Manager at SLA. She
has more than 13 years' experience in libraries, and blogs at Information Center Connections.
You can receive Tipples via Twitter at: <http://www.twitter.com/myfavtipples>
Would you like to add your Favourite Tipples suggestions for the FreePint Newsletter or write an article for FUMSI (Find, Use, Manage or Share Information?).
If so, please submit them to support@freepint.com.
View the guidelines at: <http://web.freepint.com/go/family/contribute>.
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Leverage the Intelligence in your Enterprise
AMI's Enterprise Intelligence Software extracts meaning from
large volumes of unstructured data.
- Monitor and understand
- Structure and share
- Validate and capitalise
- Analyse and decide
Request our case studies of how AMI has helped clients build intelligent enterprise.
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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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FreePint Bar and FreePint Feed
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Subscribe to the free FreePint Digest to receive a weekly update of the latest
FreePint Bar discussion, plus FreePint Feed announcements.
FreePint Bar
See a round-up of recent conversations below and click through to join the discussion. Post your research dilemmas to the FreePint Bar »
FreePint Bar sponsors make this resource available at no cost. Current sponsors include:
However the information industry changes, one thing will never change: People will always be seeking that nugget of valuable information. No matter what they call themselves, info pros will be the ones to find them, and the FreePint Bar is the place they'll get help.
- Back in August, a Bar visitor asked for help finding retail stats on alcoholic beverages in France. In October, she got a flurry of replies. Check them out, and add your own suggestions.
- Another visitor has gotten one response on a query relating to production numbers for unbleached kraft pulp. Can you share more ideas?
- You'll find periodic 'Tipples' on the Bar, highlighting recommended resources. Recently posted: Communicating Knowledge Report, Link Sleuth, Samepoint, and World Digital Library. Learn how to submit your own Tipple, or follow our special Twitter feed for Tipples.
- Here's one that has an interesting data visualisation twist: Can anyone suggest a source that shows, graphically, the appreciation of land or commercial real estate?
Visit the FreePint Bar »
FreePint Feed
The FreePint Feed keeps you up to date on what's new across all the sites in the FreePint Family.
- [FUMSI] Magazine 22: M&A, Accessibility, Plugging Leaks
FUMSI Magazine 22 has been published. In this issue:
FIND: Details on the biggest mergers and acquisitions in the US are available from a number of well-known vendors, but what about information on middle market activity that is as elusive as it is valuable to business appraisers?
- Resource of the Week: Lost Docs Blog
Forrest Gump once said 'Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.' That is a good description of the current Resource of the Week....
- [VIP] Economic Impact Research Published
VIP has published the results of a survey on economic impact - how information centres are coping with reduced budgets and staff....
Visit the FreePint Feed »
Subscribe to the free FreePint Digest to receive a weekly update of the latest
FreePint Bar discussion, plus FreePint Feed announcements.
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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.
Become a fan of FUMSI on Facebook »
Follow FUMSI on Twitter »
We add new articles to the FUMSI database in each practice area every month, which are free to read, browse, email, print or save. Here are the most recent additions:
Social media strategy: How I Became an Expert in Three Days
 By Ann Danylkiw
FUMSI: Share
When Ann Danylkiw was hired as green.tv's social media expert, she had a steep learning curve and a belief that social media technologies could help raise the environmental programming channel's profile. She relays the experience of her trial by fire and summarizes the key lessons learned in her rapid-fire ascent to social media expertise.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'It is critical that your network comprises both professional and personal interest -- most people miss this bit. Twitter is about information gathering, especially for people over the age 25, but it's those glimmers of humanity that make you a successful Tweeter and help put the face on a professional (this goes for CEOs and freelancers, no matter what the sector).'
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
Image Findability: Improving through Tags
 By Ian Davis
FUMSI: Manage
As image content proliferates and gains in importance to organisation, making it findable continues to be a challenge. Ian Davis provides a helpful list of image attributes to consider in developing your own approach, and points out the inherent challenges in the task.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'It cannot be guaranteed that all images a searcher may consider relevant to a concept will always be indexed with that concept. Concepts do inherently mean different things to different people and images do convey different concepts at different times. One person's 'isolation' may be another person's 'solitude'.'
Read, print, save or forward this article now »
FUMSI - Forthcoming Topics
- Becoming a Taxonomist
- Protecting your organisation from leaking 'soft information'
- JISC: Applications for inclusion
If you have a suggestion for an article topic, or would like to write, then please contact <support@freepint.com> or read the notes for authors at
<http://web.freepint.com/go/family/contribute/>.
Browse all FUMSI articles »
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What's Your Need for News?
Complete the survey »
Survey respondents tell us that their most important factors in selecting a news service are:
- Advanced searching capabilities
- Direct cost
- Ease of use for end-users.
And the least important:
- Interactive features
- Workflow integration.
Do you agree? Share your opinions »
As always, responses are anonymous. Provide an email address at the end of the survey to receive a copy of the results.
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Special Offer: Free FUMSI Report: Folio on Alternative Search
Engines
Start a 3-month trial of FUMSI for only £39 and receive the FUMSI Report:
Folio on Alternative Search Engines at no cost
Subscribe now »
Your trial includes:
- September: Folio on Knowledge Management
- October: Folio on Taxonomy and Tagging
- November: Folio on Security and Sharing
- BONUS August: Folio on Alternative Search Engines.
Plus reuse of all FUMSI content *globally* during your trial:
Intranet * Internal Newsletters * Email Distribution * Custom Learning Packets
Order online now and we'll send you your bonus report for free:
http://digbig.com/5bahth
'FUMSI captures the Zeitgeist of information work' -- information
manager
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VIP Features
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VIP publishes in-depth, unbiased reviews of business information products. If you purchase or use premium information resources, make VIP part of your professional reading every month »
 Comparative review of three syndicated loan databases, plus coverage of the new Profound
Acquired by MarketResearch.com in 2007, the business information service Profound was relaunched in December 2008 with a continuing emphasis on access to third party market research. Putting it through its paces in an in-depth product review, Diana Nutting likes its clear pricing and interactive training, but is concerned that the data can't be exported to Excel or Word for further analysis and that there's no pay-as-you-go option. Overall, though, she's very impressed - especially with the ability to find those nuggets of data in a chart, graph or report section in specialist reports that one doesn't subscribe to.
Three syndicated loan databases feature in a comparative review from Perrin Kerevala covering ReutersLPC's LoanConnector, Thomson Reuters' ThomsonONE and Dealogic's Loan Analytics. All well established, the three have been providing financial institutions with technical deal infrastructure solutions and financial information for decades. But as the analysis shows, their performance does vary significantly, in factors such as
search and reporting options and qualitative commentary; for these products, value for money will depend on your particular need.
These full reports are included in VIP subscriptions, or purchase the individual
product reviews via the links above.
VIP LiveWire
VIP contributing editors comment daily on what's happening in the industry.
Visit the LiveWire for their insights, and subscribe to the free VIP Wires Weekly for regular alerts.
VIP Wires Weekly is generously sponsored by AMI Software.
On VIP LiveWire recently...
- While the major UK newspaper publishers are struggling to come up with business models that will allow them to survive in the digital age, independent local news bloggers are picking up momentum and forming alliances, making some of the big publishers sit up and take note...
Read the full story at: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e25529
- Last week Forrester Research its "Forrester's eReader Holiday Outlook 2009" and the message is bound to cheer anyone involved in digital reading technology. Analyst Sarah Rotman Epps says that in the coming holiday season, eReaders will be a breakout success, driven by lower prices, improved features, and the increasing amount of content available...
Read the full story at: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e25592
- There was rather worrying news this week in an article in The Guardian (http://digbig.com/5bakae)
which highlighted the fact that several year's worth of digital material seems to have been lost in the ether due to the delay in implementing the Legal Deposit Libraries Act of 2003...
Read the full story at: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e25405
Purchase VIP Magazine No. 70 from the VIP Website, or start your subscription now »
VIP
LiveWire »
VIP Wire
Information-related product and news announcements. Post your
releases and subscribe to the free VIP Wires Weekly for regular alerts.
Recent VIP Wire announcements...
- ProQuest welcome library staff from the Central Library Cambridge for Training Day Cambridge, United Kingdom, October 16th, 2009 - ProQuest is...
Read the full Press Release at: http://www.vivavip.com/go/w82695
- Emerald Group Publishing is delighted to announce the acquisition of the Journal of Financial Reporting & Accounting. Emerald will take over the publication of the journal from Volume 8, Issue 1...
Read the full Press Release at: http://www.vivavip.com/go/w82677
- The Cloud Computing World Forum - www.cloudwf.com - taking place on the 22nd October at 76 Portland Place, London has announced it is close to selling out for its forthcoming event...
Read the full Press Release at: http://www.vivavip.com/go/w82668
VIP Wire »
VIP - Subscribe
and Back Issues
Start a trial subscription today for only £80 for three months. Visit http://web.vivavip.com/go/shop/volume/trial/ to start your trial. You can also purchase back-issues of VIP from the VIP Archive.
VIP Archive »
VIP publishes in-depth, unbiased reviews of business information products. If you purchase or use premium information resources, make VIP part of your professional reading every month »
VIP - Forthcoming Topics
- Comparative review on news products from major aggregators
- Digiminds
- Capital IQ
- Deal Pipeline
- Business Monitor International
If you have a suggestion for an article topic, or would like to write, then please contact <support@freepint.com> or read the notes for authors at
<http://web.freepint.com/go/family/contribute/>.
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Not Yet A VIP Subscriber?
Start your trial now for only £80
http://digbig.com/5bafyd
Current Special: Get 4 months for the price of 3, including our best-selling comparative review of news products from major vendors (November 2009)
Or purchase individual product reviews as needed. Recently published:
- MarketResearch.com's Profound
- Syndicated Loan Databases
- Pro@ctive
- Skyminder
- Cision Social Media
- Alacra Pulse
'Each issue has a great quantity of content, of excellent quality.' -- Mirjana Martic, Business Information Specialist, SAQ
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Contribute Your Insight;
Get the Benefits
Receive notification when FreePint is launching a new research project. Most projects involve online surveys and take fewer than 10 minutes to complete. You'll receive a copy of the resulting report as our thank-you for participating.
Register now »
Current projects:
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Jinfo - Jobs and Events in Information
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 Jinfo is the central location for supporting your information career. The Jinfo Jobs database lists vacancies, and the Jinfo Events database lists workshops, conferences, training, webinars and other professional development opportunities.
Start a free subscription to receive the weekly Jinfo Update, with a complete list of the latest vacancies and events, or search the databases at any time (free).
Jinfo Jobs in the FreePint Newsletter are supported through our partnership with Quantum2, an innovative skills development programme offered by Dialog. Learn more at <http://quantum.dialog.com/>.
Jinfo Jobs:
Here is a selection of the latest featured vacancies in the Jinfo database:
- Records Officer
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Financial Ombudsman Service to get involved in a high profile records management pro...
Recruiter: Financial Ombudsman Service
Country: United Kingdom
- Knowledge Communities Support Officer
Recruiter: Royal Institute of British Architects
Country: United Kingdom
- Information Services Administrator
Leading corporate law firm require an Information Services Administrator...
Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Information Management Librarian
A digital marketing and technology solutions company is looked for a fixed term Information Manage...
Recruiter: TFPL Intelligent Resources Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Junior Researcher
Library/Information graduate (recently qualified) for excellent training opportunity to use business online databases...
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
- Knowledge & Information Coordinator
18mth fixed term contract, promoting effective KM across this govt organisation. This role is all about communication and liaison.
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
Browse all Jinfo
Jobs »
Jinfo Events:
Here is a selection of the latest featured events in the Jinfo database:
- Online Information 2009
Online Information 2009 comprises an exhibition of over 200 vendors, an international conference and a seminar programme.
Organiser: Incisive Media
Date: 1-3 Dec 2009
Country: United Kingdom
- Taxonomy Boot Camp
Technologies and practices on taxonomies; case studies; hands-on workshops
Organiser: Information Today
Date: 19th Nov - 20th Nov 2009
Country: United States
- KMWorld
Resetting the Enterprise: Focusing on People, Talent & knowledge: 2-day knowledge management conference
Organiser: Information Today
Date: 17th Nov - 19th Nov 2009
Country: United States
- Enterprise Search Summit West
Enabling Information Access and Action - 2 day conference
Organiser: Information Today
Date: 17th Nov - 19th Nov 2009
Country: United States
Browse all Jinfo
Events »
Jinfo - the best place for information-related job vacancies and professional development opportunities.
- RECRUITING?
- Advertise a vacancy for just GBP 195
- 10% discount for agencies
- 50% discount for registered charities
- RUNNING AN EVENT?
List it on Jinfo to reach a targeted audience seeking professional development opportunities
- Get started at <http://web.jinfo.com/events/load/>
- Partner events listed for free; enquire at <support@jinfo.com>.
Find out more today at <http://www.jinfo.com/>
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| Highlights from ResourceShelf and DocuTicker
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Gold
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A look back at what the FreePint Newsletter covered at this time in previous years:
- FreePint No. 263, 23rd October 2008 "Introduction to Federated Search" and "Corporate Blogging: How To Be Open"
- 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. 192, 13th October 2005 "Pulse on Germany - German sources of business information on the World Wide Web" and "Trends in business information, provision and use"
- FreePint No. 169, 14th October 2004 "Web Accessibility: Ensuring Access for All" and "Trends in business information, provision and use"
- 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 October 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"
FreePint Newsletter Archive »
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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:
Robin Neidorf (General Manager), Carolyn J. Sosnowski, Ann Danylkiw, Ian Davis, Nancy Davis Kho (Copyeditor), William Hann (Publisher), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).
Advertisers/Sponsors:
AMI Software, Dow Jones, Incisive Media, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL Intelligent Resources Recruitment, Weekes Gray Recruitment, Financial Ombudsman Service, Royal Institute of British Architects.
(c) Free Pint Limited 1997-2009 <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, with your request and registered email address, to <support@freepint.com>. For details about contributing, advertising or to see past issues, please visit the Web site at <http://www.freepint.com/>.
Please note: FreePint (ISSN 1460-7239) is a registered trademark of, and published by, Free Pint Limited. The publishers will NEVER make the subscriber list available to any other company or organisation.
The opinions, advice, products and services offered herein are the sole responsibility of the contributors. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.
This publication may be freely copied and/or distributed in its entirety. However, individual sections MAY NOT be copied and/or distributed without the prior written agreement of the publishers. Write to 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
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