Subject: Free Pint No.26 - Site Promotion and CD-ROMs/Web Free Pint "Helping 13,500 people use the Web for their work" http://www.freepint.co.uk/ ISSN 1460-7239 12 November 1998 #26 > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = IN THIS ISSUE EDITORIAL TIPS AND TECHNIQUES "Web Site Promotion Ideas" Edited by William Hann FEATURE ARTICLE "CD-ROMs and the Web" by Phil Bradley FREE PINT FEEDBACK CONTACT INFORMATION ONLINE VERSION WITH ACTIVATED HYPERLINKS http://www.freepint.co.uk/issues/121198.htm > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = INTRANET MANAGEMENT - A TFPL GUIDE TO BEST PRACTICE This report will assist in getting the maximum return from an intranet and reducing the risk of disappointment that staff often feel when the hype fails to match the reality. Of particular assistance to managers and intranet project teams who have been asked to develop an intranet strategy and are committed to achieving success through good content management. COST 85 pounds & PP. Email kim.mullings@tfpl.com or visit http://www.tfpl.com/consult/intranet_management_tfpl.htm SPECIAL OFFER: 5 pounds discount to Free Pint readers quote ref: FP123 > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [tf261] >>> Shouldn't your company be advertising here? <<< Find out more by emailing ads@freepint.co.uk or visit http://www.freepint.co.uk/advert.htm > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = EDITORIAL ... Free Pint comes to "Online Information 98" ... We will be making a proper announcement in the next issue, but couldn't wait to tell you that we have a large stand booked for the "Free Pint Forum" at this year's major information event at Olympia, London from the 8th to the 10th December. Join in the discussions and fun on stand 414-416 where you can meet the Free Pint team, post your comments and suggestions on the Forum wall, and get tips from authors who have written for Free Pint. Book your free entry tickets now on the Web at http://www.online-information.co.uk/ Back to this issue ... and if you have a Web site to promote on a budget then you can't miss the Tips article where we announce the results of last issue's competition. This is followed by an interesting look at how CD-ROM technology is becoming intertwined with the Web. May I now invite you to read on and enjoy your twenty sixth Free Pint! Kind regards, William William Hann MIInfSc, Managing Editor e: william@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)1784 455435 f: +44 (0)1784 455436 PS: Please continue to recommend Free Pint to your colleagues ... this can be done easily at http://www.freepint.co.uk/reco.htm > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = *** DO YOU NEED TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE INFORMATION INDUSTRY? *** If so, then you should be reading Information World Review. With key coverage of online, Internet, intranet and CD-ROM content worldwide, IWR is all you need to stay informed. To receive all this every month for only 38 pounds UK/ 45 pounds ROW please visit www.learned.co.uk or email: customerservice@learned.co.uk > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [li262] >>> Hints on using Free Pint <<< -> it is best viewed using the Courier font -> printing it means you can read it at a more convenient time -> reserve your free copy - email now > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = TIPS AND TECHNIQUES "Web Site Promotion Ideas" Edited by William Hann In Free Pint number 25 we published the following question from reader Robert Lyn Davies, Editor of media01, the arts and entertainment interests Web site at http://www.media01.com/ "How do we attract as many visitors to the site as possible? Since media01 is currently being run on a shoestring how can we do this on the smallest budget possible?" You may also remember that by way of a thank you, Robert has also supplied a bag full of film stills, merchandising, and other hard to get items which will be sent to the reader who supplies the best solution to this problem. As expected, this innovative idea has given rise to a whole raft of responses. In fact we had such a good reply from one reader, Mike Harris, that we have decided to delay publication of the planned article and have reproduced his letter here for the interest and enjoyment of all other readers who are in the same situation. Mike's bag of goodies (including "Godzilla" yo-yo's) are in the post! This is then followed by two more entries from other excellent contributors who will both receive runners-up prizes of limited edition Free Pint goodies including leather beermats and copy holders. It is well worth noting that Robert Lyn Davies and Mike Harris have both used imaginative and inventive ways of promoting their sites, and I wish them both all the best with their separate ventures. William Hann Managing Editor, Free Pint > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Suggestions for helping media01 spread the good word" from Mike Harris Following the advertising conundrum presented in issue 25 of Free Pint, I can certainly empathize with Robert Lyn Davies as he searches for ways to promote his web site, media01. My partner and I have been in a similar position for the year or so that our web site has been up and running. Perhaps I can share some of the things that helped us get the word out. Firstly, one of the most prevalent myths circulating is that all you have to do is build a web site, hang out an open sign, and wait for the customers to come pouring in. It doesn't work with a High Street shop, so there is no chance of it happening in cyberspace! There is only ONE thing to do: let as many of your best prospects as possible know that you exist... and then give them REASONS to visit you. It's that simple. No, it's not EASY, but it's simple. So, of course, the trick is finding a way to do it while spending next to nothing. There are many ways to get the word out on the 'Net, but most are extremely tedious and it is extremely hard to gauge the effectiveness of them. I'm speaking of the 'free links for all' and 'free classified ad sites' that are proliferating these days. Yes, I use them, and I can't say I get much response -- other than wads of spam offering me untold riches. So I will share with you the one thing that REALLY worked for us. When we set up our site, http://www.datesfromhell.com/dfh/index.htm we were searching for people to send us their true, funny-awful dating nightmare stories for a proposed book, "DATES FROM HELL (And A Few Moments Made In Heaven)". We were met with a deafening silence. Virtually nobody visited, and nobody sent us their stories. We had to do something. As an old media hand (the Kent Messenger Group in the UK, and the Gannett Co here in the USA) I knew that the idea most people have of reporters is wrong. The public believes that reporters go out in the streets 'looking for stories'. The fact is... most stories COME TO THEM. Sure, they rarely print a press release in its entirety. They'll use bits of it, or use it as the basis for a follow-up interview. But they won't know about it unless you TELL them about it. You could use the services of a reputable company like The Internet News Bureau http://www.newsbureau.com/ or find a UK equivalent. Or you could keep the money in the bank and 'get the word out' with a little sweat-equity. You do the job yourself, realizing it will take time - but it will cost you ZERO. Not a bad deal. FIRSTLY... write a good news release about media01. By that, I don't mean letting people know how you conceived the idea, and your mum liked it, and it took you three years, yadayadayada. Write down three reasons why someone should visit your site. Answer the main question in the public's mind: "What's in it for ME?" Now decide why a newspaper editor or reporter would want to use up their valuable ink and paper to print it. Help that editor answer this question: "What does this service do that is new, helpful, entertaining, or informative to my readers, and why will they want to know about it?" With this information, you should be able to write a brief (one page) news release about your service. Write it in the third person. Put your biggest benefit in the headline. In this case, by 'benefit' I mean the major advantage the reader will receive by visiting your site. Reiterate the main benefit in the lead paragraph. Include the web site's URL here in case the first paragraph is all that gets used. In the second paragraph, add some more benefits, if appropriate. The third paragraph would be a good place to "quote" some third party (real or spurious) explaining how wonderful the service has been to him or her. The final paragraph should include all the contact information, including the URL (again), email address, and anything else that you might want the public to know about. (Of course you'll want to include your full name, address and phone number where the editor can reach you for that all-important follow-up interview, but this needs to be clearly separated from the text of the release, preferably at the bottom and after the ### that signals the end of the text.) Yes, if this were to be a normal snail-mailed news release you might lay it out differently. But this is an e-mail release, because you want to do this on the cheap. Excuse me; make that ... "economically". (Let me say at this point, if you really don't feel comfortable writing a decent news release, it probably IS worth spending a couple of hundred to get a professional to do it for you. You'll use it again and again. And think of all the stamps you won't have to buy.) SECONDLY you have to get your great news into to the sweaty hands of the nation's hacks, or the ladies and gentlemen of the press, depending upon your point of view. And this, we found, is a lot simpler than we had expected. Again, I say "simple" not "easy" because it takes time. Be grateful that you live in Great Britain and thus have a smaller number of newspapers that you need to reach. Here in the States, it runs into thousands. So where do you go? Your first stop should be http://www.mediauk.com/directory where you will find a gold mine, not just of newspapers, but magazines, and electronic media (more on them later). Another useful site for media e-mail addresses is http://www.ping.at/guggerell/media/index.htm However, I would use that one to fill in any gaps from the MediaUK site. When promoting "DATES FROM HELL (And A Few Moments Made In Heaven)" we found it was worth the extra effort to go to each newspaper's web site and find the listing of newsroom staff. This allows you to address your e-mail to a particular individual, rather than just "to editor". It is much more effective, but it is time consuming. Decide which editor/writer is most likely to be receptive to your particular message. The temptation is to look for someone who writes a column about the Internet or computers. I suggest this is not a good idea. Because of the content of your site, look for the features editor or the entertainments writer. He or she is always on the lookout for something new and different to tell their readers, and if you've worded your news release suitably, they will be grateful to you for helping them look good to their readers. Here is what I usually do. Having composed the news release on my word processor, I highlight and 'copy' it. Then using my e-mail program, I address a personal line, in the 'text' box, to the specific editor something like this: To: John Smith, Entertainments Editor, Scunthorpe Daily Bugle Mr Smith, I believe your readers will be interested in this useful - and fun - new service. If you need more information or wish to arrange an interview, please see the contact info at the end of the story. Thank you. Robert Lyn Davies. I would then 'copy' the text of the release into the space below, and put a 'teaser' phrase in the Subject line, such as: 'Scunthorpe music fans now have 24 hour info source' - and then send it. After that, it just means working your way down the list of newspapers, doing the same thing over and over again. Is this spam? CERTAINLY NOT! You are doing these media bods a favour by giving them information they can use in their newspapers. Getting information is what they do for a living! As for the electronic media - specifically radio - they are a little different from newspapers, but their needs are basically the same: they need to be perceived by their listeners as the source for information about anything useful or entertaining. And your news release can help them do just that. To whom will you send these releases? Rather than sending it to everybody at each station, try to pick out the name that you think is your best bet. In some cases, that means the host of the particular show you have in mind. In other cases, it is best to try and direct your release to the show's producer - if you can find the name of that individual. Sometimes, you'll want to send your e-mail release to the station's news editor or news director. If you don't know the station, you just have to get a 'feel' for it from viewing their web site... then use good ol' gut instinct. For example, I went to mediauk.com and clicked on 'radio', then on 'UK radio stations' which brought up a screen that including an alphabet soup of choices. I clicked on 'S' and then selected 'Signal 1' which is a station serving Staffordshire and Cheshire. I clicked on 'shows' then on the name 'Lee Thomas' who hosts the breakfast show, as I guessed that this show has fairly high ratings. Up popped a pre-addressed e-mail form at which point I could have sent him my news release, with a personal salutation (referring to his listeners, of course, not his readers!) and a 'subject' line something like: 'Staffs & Cheshire music fans can now get instant news'. Otherwise, the message could be pretty much the same as the one you sent to all the newspapers. Television? Sure, why not? In the UK, I would tend to target the regional magazine shows that usually air after the early evening news, rather than going after the national 'News At Ten' style programs. And you will probably find a couple of TV shows whose content very closely matches that of your own web site. In which case, it is probably worth gambling 25p on a long distance call to determine the name of the show's producer to whom you should send your release. Yes, you might have to break down and buy a stamp to send out this one, if they prefer a hard copy to e-mail! But a mention on a show like that could drive a lot of visitors your way. So what have you achieved? You've reached editors and journos all across the UK, and sent them a personal communication about your site. I keep stressing 'personal' because they get dozens of generic mail pieces every day, but very few addressed to them by name. It gets their attention. You've done the same thing for dozens of radio shows all over the country, and given air personalities something a little more stimulating than the usual "Dear Johnny, I think your show is fab" stuff that they're used to. And... you've contacted some regional TV programs, and even a national TV show or two. All for less than 50p. (Plus, your Internet connection charges, I suppose, being the UK!) Your real investment is your time, and by way of a warning, I should say these activities can take over your life and become an obsession if you're not careful ("Wait! Wait! I still haven't reached the Crofters Weekly in the Hebrides!"). But the good news is, that using the Internet and e-mail to get the word out to the media, you can choose your own hours. I tend to get up and put in an hour or so between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. each morning. If you're a night owl, you might prefer a midnight shift. Our results? Very favourable! Our book is now out, and we started a new round of e-mailing radio stations and newspapers. In the last thirty days, we have done dozens of radio interviews by telephone (the stations call us, so it goes on their bill) and have had several newspaper stories printed. So to summarize: Write a good, brief news release (or have a professional journalist do it for you) that stresses the unique benefits of using your service. Then sit down at your computer and start worming your way through your list of e-mail media addresses. It IS hard work, but take it from me, it pays off! P.S. To save doing all that hard work more than once, here's a useful tip. Keep a log of all the URLs of the specific pages at each newspaper and radio station from which you could send them e-mail. Then copy that list to your e-mail server and e-mail the list to yourself. Keep it in an e-mail file with a name such as 'Media Contacts'. Now, when you wish to reach those people again, you open the file and click on each of the URLs in turn. Up will pop the page, and you're all set to send out your follow-up message. (When you can't list a specific page, at least include the e-mail address in your 'Media Contact' file. You might not be able to link directly from it, but a few keystrokes will get you there.) This will save you a ton of time researching the names all over again, and of course will reduce your Internet connection charges. Mike Harris MIKE HARRIS is a British-born author and cartoonist now living near Nashville, TN. He has just co-authored (with Victoria Jackson) 'DATES FROM HELL (And A Few Moments Made In Heaven), and illustrates the 'America's Dumbest Criminals' series of books. He invites you to visit his web site, http://www.datesfromhell.com/dfh/index.htm and welcomes your comments via e-mail at harrismm@worldnet.att.net > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Learning from Fiction House" from Gary Crucefix I looked at the site and would recommend the following: * Redesign the Web site; get rid of the frames, dark colours and heavy graphics. I would use my own site, details below, as a better example or look at http://www.paintedrock.com/ (non-framed site) or http://www.mingco.com/ (framed site) * As a member of Link Exchange, subscribe to the LE Digest, a daily source of useful web design and marketing information. http://www.linkexchange.com/ * Visit http://www.virtualpromote.com/ and learn how to use META TAGS * Create a newsletter for your visitors. I can recommend http://www.onelist.com/ who will manage the list on your behalf * Register any newsletters with http://www.liszt.com/ who also offer other benefits * Run adverts through similar ezines. This can be very cost effective * Visit appropriate Newsgroups, daily. Lurk, answer questions and enquiries, and directly advertise where appropriate. Make sure you use a signature file. Announce your site to uk.announce * Offer a free service. I would avoid Free For All Pages but would recommend a Free Classified service. A good classified program can be downloaded from: http://www.cgi-resources.com/Programs_and_Scripts/Perl/Classified_Ads/ I use Cyber Ads FREE classified script which can be downloaded from http://dcregistry.com/classifieds/cyberads.html No one method is particularly effective on its own, but combined they make up an extremely useful advertising arsenal for very little cost. Gary Crucefix Editor Fiction House Fiction House - A comprehensive guide to writing and getting published http://www.fictionhouse.com/ > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Learning from Loquaz" from Jason Dale Well Loquax (http://www.loquax.co.uk/), the site I run with my partner, is run on a shoestring - the site has had never paid for advertising, but enjoys a healthy existence. How did we do it? Basically we followed as much advice as possible - promote, promote then promote some more. Outlets for promotion include Teletext on 4 (p651-653) .co.uk - that featured us twice - Magazines, let them know what you're up to - Loquax has managed to be mentioned in .Net and Internet Magazine plus Maxim and Competitors World - which then leads to another form of promotion - offline users - let them know you exist. Site of the Week awards may be frowned upon, but try them - and don't wait to be found - tell them - subsequently Loquax found itself on Megastar, Sunday Post site, The Chartshow, and Coolsite of the Day - even the small awards that everyone gets are worth trying for. Ask for banner exchanges - most sites we've found are quite happy to do this - especially when content is similar but not the same, thereby getting a more diverse audience. Plus we've found useful traffic by joining the Fastclicks banner exchange network. Strategic banner exchanges for Loquax now include Sportszine UK, Refresh, and Russell Grant's site. Competitions are also useful - which possibly explains why Loquax now lists over 500, but don't forget to promote it to the right newsgroups and of course websites. The key I guess for Loquax was just asking - you'll get a few rejections, but we asked to be added to MSN, and ended up doing a newsfeed for them. And don't be afraid to try new things, they may work, they might not. The ultimate area though is content - give people good content that is easy to use, fun to use, and that'll make them come back again and again. We've developed games on Loquax, added our own postcard section, formed an association with Leisuredome - the total cost of the site has been an ISP, the monthly phone bill, and our own input. Oh, and have fun doing what you're doing. The look of the site and content has changed and changed and changed again until we hit what we feel is the right formula. Total advertising cost = 0 Hope this is of some help or interest. Jason Dale http://www.loquax.co.uk/ > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = *** 2b Personalisation Now Live *** The UK's leading Portal is now offering customisation as one of its hottest new services. Registered users are now able to customise the 2b home page to an extent whey they decided what type of News headlines are featured on the home page and whether you would like additional services like Where2b, our Online UK Mapping System, or our Business Directory with over 1.6 Million Entries. To become a registered user visit our web site http://www.2b.co.uk/ > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [gg263] >>> Want to see past issues of Free Pint? <<< Visit http://www.freepint.co.uk/ now! > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Willco www.willco.co.uk Email mailing list hosting ~~ run your own newsletter or discussion Domain name registration ~~ DIY name check, low-cost and fast Web site promotion ~~ manual search engine submission e: info@willco.co.uk ~ t: +44 (0)1784 455435 ~ f: +44 (0)1784 455436 > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [wi264] FEATURE ARTICLE "CD-ROMs and the Web" by Phil Bradley One could easily be forgiven for thinking that like oil and water, CD- ROM's and the Web just don't mix; they are after all, two competing methods of data delivery. However, the relationship between them is much deeper than that, and I think a case could be argued that we wouldn't have the Internet in its present form if it were not for the existence of CD-ROM. In this article I'd like to look closely at the relationship between them and to make the case that far from being in competition they are complimentary systems. Having worked in both industries (I was employed by the CD-ROM publisher SilverPlatter for 7 years in several different roles and am currently an Internet consultant) I would venture to say that the most important thing to be said about both systems are that they brought information directly to the end user's desktop. Prior to CD-ROM, people who needed to do research had to wade through huge tomes of information, run an online search using bizarre and arcane search syntax or request the help of an intermediary, usually the information professional. CD-ROM changed all of this, and allowed them much greater access, quickly and effectively to data that they could use and manipulate for themselves. The role of the information professional began to change from what I term the 'gatekeeper' controlling the flow of data into a 'facilitator' who was responsible for providing facilities and access to that data. Users began to get the idea that information was a valuable commodity that they could get for themselves, and were able to appreciate the advantages of quick and easy access. As a result, information stopped being difficult to obtain and became another extraordinary tool patrons could use for themselves. Then along came the Internet, with its wealth of data - by this time direct access to information was no longer entirely within the remit of information professionals - and users were able to quickly adapt to retrieving and using vast amounts of information that previously they might never have considered accessing before. This has not however led to the death of the CD-ROM as some have suggested, although I would agree that it has changed the way in which CD-ROM is used. Many CD-ROM publishers have now re-badged themselves (correctly in my opinion) as electronic publishers; indeed one group formerly known as CD-ROM SPAG (a publishers' pressure group designed to create Standards and Practices within the industry) have renamed themselves as eIP - electronic Information Publishers, with a website at http://www.venus.co.uk/eip/. (This site also lists member organisations, together with links to their websites, so if you're looking for a publisher, this is a very good place to start your search). They have recognised that both distribution mechanisms can be used in conjunction with each other. Large amounts of archival data can still be produced on CD-ROM and distributed to customers while the current data is available via an Internet account, leading to Web-CD hybrids. Good examples of this can be seen at Ovid Technologies (http://www.ovid.com/) and SilverPlatter (http://www.silverplatter.com/) as well as several others. Hybrid products have many advantages for both publisher and customer. The publisher has greater flexibility in the production and distribution of data, and the customer has greater choice in their preferred format of delivery. Publishers are no longer tied to restrictive updating caused by the pressing and distribution of optical discs, and the customer can now log onto the publisher's site and access data that is much more current than they could previously have got simply by using discs. Publishers are able to make collaborative deals with document delivery suppliers and customers can locate a particular article of interest, order it online and have it delivered directly to their email account in the matter of a few moments. Publishers have a greater level of security over their data using password access, and customers can dispense with confusing installation procedures. Publishers can increase their revenues by offering wider access and users can get transparent access to data that is held both locally and across the network. Publishers can make data more easily accessible by placing large files (particularly images) onto CD-ROM for distribution, while keeping the textual data on a webserver, and the customer gets the best possible access to text, images and multi-media. Consequently, the number of Web-CD hybrids is increasing; in mid 1996 it was estimated that about 350 such products existed, and by 2000 there will probably be in excess of 25,000 of them, according to Richard Reisman in his article found at http://www.teleshuttle.com/nextgen.htm As you would expect, there are a tremendous number of implications inherent in this change of approach, both for information professionals and end users, but also for the publishers themselves. We need to consider what new skillsets we require, such as a greater understanding of IT, training (both for the professional and end user), how to manage distributed systems, and how to adapt to the challenge of being able to provide 'just in time' services rather than 'just in case'. Publishers need to adapt as well, by providing more flexible pricing structures, resolving technical issues, advertising, customer support, utilising different delivery mechanisms to their best advantage, and, indeed, they must embrace their new ability to publish information in non-traditional ways. Having covered the general background I'd now like to list some CD-ROM Internet sites that you might like to visit, either for further information about the technology, or if you're considering purchasing particular products. http://www.cdrom.com/ This is the Walnut Creek CD-ROM site, and they sell a variety of products on CD-ROM. They also have an impressive archive. http://www.cd-info.com/ This is the CD Information Center, which is a central resource for all things optical, with information on DVD, organisations, articles, directories, FAQ's, industry news and so on. http://home.cdarchive.com/info/ A very good introductory site for information on the production of optical products, overviews of the technology and so on. http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/dvd/index.html Everything you ever wanted to know about DVD but were afraid to ask! This is however a Sony site, so there is an understandable bias towards their own products. http://www.nsiweb.com/cdrom/ CD-ROM Online magazine, which is aimed mainly at the home user but does carry a number of useful articles. Yahoo! lists a total of 38 categories for CD-ROM and 2492 individual sites, so I hope you'll appreciate that I'm not going to try and list them. I suggest that you visit Yahoo! for yourself and simply type in CD-ROM at the search box, and may you have many hours of happy browsing. Of course, if you want to purchase a book about the subject, you could do worse than visit the Amazon bookshop at their new UK site of http://www.amazon.co.uk/ and read through the reviews of some of the 837 titles they have available, including 3 of my own, which was quite gratifying! Finally, you may wish to subscribe to some newsgroups related to CD-ROM, so point your newsreader towards: comp.publish.cdrom.hardware comp.publish.cdrom.multimedia comp.publish.cdrom.software comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.cd-rom alt.cd-rom Alternatively, you may wish to subscribe to a mailing list which covers CD-ROM and related issues and Mailbase at http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/ lists three: cd-rom-networking chest-elr lis-ukolug > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Phil Bradley is an Internet Consultant, Trainer, Web designer and Author. He invites you to visit his Web site at http://www.philb.com/ if you have queries or questions relating to CD-ROM or DVD technology - the answer may be there, or leave a query in his guestbook! The site also hosts other free information on Internet introductions, search engine articles and web design tips. He has also recently written "The Advanced Internet Searchers Handbook" coming soon from Library Association Publications. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FREE PINT FACT 23% of new subscribers find Free Pint through search engines and a third of those come through Yahoo! > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Sue Hill Recruitment & Services Ltd - new jobs every day Customer Services Executives - Help Desk - urgently needed Good communication skills, confident IT ability and knowledge of the information industry, London and Surrey Pds UK16-20k Trainee software engineer needed for French co in UK - STML/XML/HTML Information Researcher, Financial Services Hong Kong T +44 171 732 6671 F +44 171 732 6718 jobs@suehill.com www.suehill.com > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = [sh265] FREE PINT FEEDBACK > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject: Covering my costs From: Steve Adelman, M.D. Date: Thursday 29th October 1998 Dear Free Pint, I continue to enjoy your excellent Internet digest. Much of what I have read in Free Pint has inspired me to build my own web site: Ask DrSteve: The Real Story About Smoking, Drinking & Getting High http://www.DrSteve.org/ I have a dilemma I would like to share with your readers. As the only Internet site on substance use and addiction put up by a full-fledged physician expert in this field, I believe that my site contains the most up-to-date and dynamic information about this important topic on the Internet. The rich content on my site is valuable, but I'm a doctor and a writer, not a businessman. I'd like to make at least enough money to cover my costs, and have considered a variety of "business models". But I'm too busy at my day job and answering questions posted to the site into the wee hours of the night to be able to devote any time or energy to developing the business side of the business. Does anyone out there have any thoughts as to what kind of partnership with what kind of entity might allow me to continue doing what I do well (developing creative content) while turning this volunteer effort into a revenue-generating business? Thanks for any help, Steve Adelman, M.D. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject: Company location From: Steve Rickaby, WordMongers Ltd Date: Wednesday 4th November 1998 Dear Free Pint Many thanks for a consistently useful newsletter. I have a specific query. Do any readers know of any web resource that will allow me to find the location of a UK business from only it's name? I've tried Kompass but with no joy. We've lost a business card of a company with whom we only dealt by phone, and do not know where they are located. Thanks. Steve Rickaby > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject: Daily news search engines From: Name withheld on request Date: Thursday 15th October 1998 Dear Free Pint Team: The newsletter is wonderful -- very informative and helpful! My job requires that I scan the news each day for stories that impact our business. I search news websites and news search engines using key words, but miss many important news stories because I simply don't have enough time. Recently I have begun subscribing to daily newsletters, which has cut my search time considerably. I register keywords with the newsletters and each day, news stories containing my keywords are emailed to me. It is certainly the most efficient way to gather news. However, I have only been able to find two such newsletters. I am certain there are more out there, I just don't know where to begin looking. Perhaps your team and your readers could suggest some useful daily newsletters. The two sites I use are: http://www.newsindex.com/ (ideal for general searches) and http://ci.mond.org/news/newsregister.html (for science news). Specifically, I search for topics like healthcare, biotechnology, agriculture and the environment. Do you have a list of internet sites that allow the user to subscribe to daily newsletters? > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject: Paying for Internet access From: Various Date: Wednesday 11th November 1998 "There seems to be some confusion amongst out international friends over just what we are paying charges for here in the UK. Some appear to think that we're paying our ISPs per minute, which we don't (unless we're using CompuServe, AOL, MSN or something like that) - it's the PHONE charges we're paying, and I think it's unfair that in most parts of the US local rate calls seem to be free." Jamie Montgomerie "Judging from last issue's feedback, I think you've confused some readers with your comments on UK users 'having to pay per-minute charges for [our] Internet connection'. Perhaps it needs clarifying that you referred to the cost of the phone call to the ISP's access number, rather than a per-minute charge imposed by the ISP itself. Very few UK ISP's levy per-minute charges, but telephone companies in the UK charge for local calls which I understand are generally free in the US. It's probably because competition among UK ISP's in the fixed-fee/unlimited-access market is so intense that some are starting to explore alternative pricing models such as the no fixed fee but per-minute charge approach offered by BT Click, or the free access, advertising-funded (and premium-rate technical support!) Dixons service. As for phone charges, any phone company offering free local calls would have to recoup the loss of revenue in the short term through higher line rental. Is that what we really want? Perhaps home and business Internet users would have different views on this question?" Dr Tom Hawkins, Sensor Technologist, Aromascan plc > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject: Charity Links From: Diana Grimwood-Jones, Artemis Consulting Date: 16th October 1998 "I've just been enjoying my latest issue of Free Pint, and notice a plea from a reader for 'decent sites that contain information on UK charities'. A recent (August 98) Aslib publication (Information Management in the Voluntary Sector, edited Diana Grimwood-Jones and Sylvia Simmons) has an Appendix called Electronic Information Resources for the Voluntary and Community Sector, compiled by Communities Online Forum. This gives details of nearly 50 Web sites, divided into categories: - Main gateway sites for voluntary organisations, with mailing lists and newsgroups - Organisations offering advice to voluntary organisations - Online publications offering practical help - Key policy reports in the field - Other useful sites URLs were current in the Spring, when the book went to press. Aslib can be found on the Web at http://www.aslib.co.uk/" Special thanks also to Gary Archer (Senior Librarian, Information Services, Leamington Spa Library, Warwickshire) for his links which also appeared in issue number 25. > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION, COMMENT OR REPLY? Let us know your feedback or favourite site by sending an email to the Free Pint team now by email to remembering to include your name, title and company or organisation. Please note, if you write to us we may publish your letter in whole or part for the interest of our subscribers unless you request otherwise at the time of writing. Please let us know if you wish your contact details to be withheld. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Thank you for reading Free Pint. We hope you will forward this copy to colleagues, friends and journalists, or ask them to visit our Web site soon at http://www.freepint.co.uk/ See you in two weeks! Kind regards, William Hann, Managing Editor william@freepint.co.uk (c) Willco 1998 http://www.willco.co.uk/ > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = FREE PINT FUTURE ISSUES 26/11/98 #27 - Case Studies and Passion for Online Information 98 17/12/98 #28 - Best of 1998 and Review of the show 07/01/99 #29 - Cookies and Virtual Communities [Provisional] > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = CONTACT INFORMATION William Hann MIInfSc, Managing Editor e: william@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)1784 455435 f: +44 (0)1784 455436 Rex Cooke FIInfSc FRSA, Editor e: rex@freepint.co.uk t: +44 (0)1784 455435 f: +44 (0)1784 455436 Jane, Administrator e: jane@freepint.co.uk Address (no stamp needed) Willco "Free Pint", FREEPOST (SEA3901), Staines Middlesex, TW18 3BR, United Kingdom Web - http://www.freepint.co.uk Advertising - ads@freepint.co.uk Subscriptions - subs@freepint.co.uk Letters & Comments - feedback@freepint.co.uk Latest Issue Autoresponder - auto@freepint.co.uk > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Free Pint (ISSN 1460-7239) is a free email newsletter for anyone who uses the Internet to get information for their work in any business or organisation. The newsletter is written by professionals who share how they find quality and reliable information on the Internet. To subscribe, unsubscribe, find details about contributing, advertising or to see past issues, please visit the Web site at http://www.freepint.co.uk/ or call +44 (0)1784 455 435. Please note: The newsletter is published by the information consultancy Willco (http://www.willco.co.uk/) providers of Internet consultancy, training and publishing services. The publishers will NEVER make the subscriber list available to any other company or organisation. The opinions, advice, products and services offered herein are the sole responsibility of the contributors. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. This publication may be freely copied and/or distributed in its entirety. However, individual sections MAY NOT be copied and/or distributed without the prior written agreement of the publishers. Product names used in Free Pint are for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners. Free Pint disclaims any and all rights in those marks. All rights reserved. > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = > = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =