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Editorial
By Sara Waddington
FreePint is sponsoring an award, to pay for up to two memberships in SLA and support participation in SLA Europe. The 'Early Career' Award is for a student nearing degree completion or an early-career information professional (first five years). The 'Experienced Professional' Award is for a professional with more than five years' experience in the information field.
The award grows out of our excellent relationship with SLA and SLA Europe. We conceived the idea while sharing ideas with SLA around how to best support information professionals during difficult times and build up awareness of SLA for European professionals, prior to the organisation's Centennial celebration this June. We'll be there - be sure to register your interest in FreePint doings and our exclusive special report to be published following the event.
Finding and sharing the right information can sometimes be a matter of life and death, as this issue of the FreePint Newsletter illustrates. The charity Practical Action, writes Jane Eason in her article 'Knowledge for Survival', offers a Practical Answers service which is helping hundreds of people around the world overcome their own poverty, through the provision of knowledge and information. Through sharing and disseminating information, this practical support has had major impacts on the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of poor men and women throughout the world.
Practical Action has a very clear message: sharing knowledge through a range of techniques, while embracing and complimenting traditional cultures, will help millions of people escape poverty.
The importance of finding and sharing the right information is also highlighted in Heather Carine's article 'Finding competitive business information in six steps'. She shares her six basic steps for performing corporate competitive research, along with tips for getting started. These six steps highlight that the art of finding competitive business information starts well before the research question has been asked, and continues well after the results have been found.
How important is it for you to add value to your work product? Do you know if you've added value? Participate in our brief survey and receive a copy of the summary report.
Sara Waddington
Senior Managing Editor
FreePint
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2009
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My Favourite Tipples
By Jane John
Market and industry research in a high-tech sector often involves getting up to speed quickly on a new technology or product. Here are some helpful sites.
Techstreet by Thomson Reuters leads to industry codes and standards for purchase. Many contain a short online description. When doing research on a new technology, it's nice to see what the regulatory issues and challenges are - browsing Techstreet by industry is useful as a first look at regulations and benchmarks.
R&D Magazine has a searchable archive of overview articles that often cite leading edge institutions or companies in a new field. Searching R&D Community broadens the search. Use the Resources section to find trade associations relevant to various disciplines.
Industry Research Desk by Polson Enterprises is a step by step guide to industry and company research. It is especially strong on the manufacturing industries. If you are new to market research, there are informative guides about how to research companies, industries, and manufacturing processes. It is a good place to start if you are a generalist and always have to research a new industry.
Using the advanced search option in Scirus, you can tick as many (or as few) categories as needed to focus a search within three broad areas: Information Types, Information Sources, and Subject Areas. Scientist Homepages can sometimes help locate an expert to call.
Formerly Thomas Register Online, ThomasNet is all about products - as its website says, "from Actuators to Zirconium and everything in between". You can browse through hierarchical product listings, search by company, or link to thousands of online product catalogues. Thomas Global is the global version.
Jane John is owner and principal researcher at On Point Research. On Point Research prepares Market Views that are used by new firms to develop business plans and seek funding; and by established companies to assess new markets. Its research helps companies to identify new market opportunities and reduce the risk of their next business decision.
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?).
Guidelines for discussion group good practice, adding value, psychology 'evolution trees' and directory functionality 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 »
FreePint Bar
One 'Pinter requests pointers on good practice guidelines for running successful discussion groups on extranets. This should include advice on posts, orphans and group 'gardening'.
How important is it for you to add value to your work product? Do you know if you've added value? Take our brief FreePint survey (4 questions), and receive a copy of the summary report.
Does anyone know of a 'family tree' or 'evolution tree' of psychology in its broadest sense? Please send your thoughts to this FreePinter.
A 'Pinter would appreciate recommendations for vendors/products that provide expert directory functionality e.g. staff directory with ability to tag individuals by skill sets, communities of practice etc. and show relationships between individuals within an organisation.
Don't forget to check the latest FreePint news on the FreePint feed. FreePint is sponsoring an award to fund up to two SLA memberships and complete an application. FreePint is also supporting those who have lost their jobs due to business closures or redundancies. Apply for gap subscriptions to keep you in the loop during your search.
Company Intell Beyond the Website
Filling in the Gaps: Company Intelligence Beyond the Corporate Website. Somewhere between paid databases and Google...
Resource of the Week: Europeana
Resource of the Week: Europeana By Adrian Janes, UK Contributing Editor Europeana is an ambitious collaborative project between European archives, libraries and...
We add new articles to the FUMSI database in each practice area every month, which are free to read, browse, email, print or save. Here are the most recent additions:
The charity Practical Action, writes Jane Eason, offers a Practical Answers service which is helping hundreds of people around the world overcome their own poverty, through the provision of knowledge and information. Through sharing and disseminating information, this practical support has had major impacts on the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of poor men and women throughout the world.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'Yet, this service is more than just offering information; it is about putting communities in touch with others who have benefited, experts and also working in partnership with other organisations, encouraging people to share information and take ownership of their projects.'
While every quest for competitive information results in a different end point, the strategic researcher knows that the process for finding information follows the same key principles. Heather Carine shares her six basic steps for performing corporate competitive research, along with tips for getting started.
WHAT'S INSIDE: 'The best sources for reliable information are those that care about the topic. Who cares enough about the industry, company or person that you are researching that they will provide accurate and reliable information?'
Business researchers require access to all kinds of news. VIP often reviews news products, and in April brings in-depth reviews of two niche products:
SeeNews: Combination of premium and free news covering 10 South Eastern Europe (SEE) countries. If you focus on this exciting market, SeeNews is an important resource to know about.
Newser: Free news resource, enhanced with a range of social media functions. For those on a tight budget (and who isn't?), Newser presents a viable option.
Each of these reviews can be purchased as stand-alone reports, starting at GBP 39 for single-site use. Or purchase April's Issue No. 65 for GBP 54 to receive both, plus our in-depth review of Mergent Online.
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.
Recent posts:
The annual Next Web Conference (http://2009.thenextweb.com), which was held in Amsterdam last week is a showcase for internet start-ups and new applications, as well a networking event for more than 900 internet professionals........ Direct link to posting: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e19015
Yet more evidence - if any were needed - of the morphing of information providers from one-way conduits to community hubs comes now from two information industry veterans: Hoover's and Martindale-Hubbell......... Direct link to posting: http://www.vivavip.com/go/e18907
Start a trial subscription today for only GBP 80 for three months. Visit http://www.vivavip.com/sample.html to start your trial. You can also purchase back-issues of VIP from the VIP Archive.
Don't forget to RSVP for the SLA Annual Conference: Learn where to meet FreePint editors, and get your copy of the FreePint SLA Special Report upon publication in July!
Learn more about SLA and the annual conference on the SLA Website.
The Market for Info Skills has Changed...
So has Jinfo.
Check out expanded offering - professional development events as well as vacancies: http://www.jinfo.com/
How can we enhance Jinfo further? Help us with your suggestions by completing our brief survey: http://digbig.com/4yknr
Jinfo - Jobs and Events in Information
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:
Library Manager
Library Manager, Law Librarian, Legal
Recruiter: Weekes Gray Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
Industry Analyst
An Industry Analyst is required to work for a leading advisory services organisation. The ideal candidate will bring both...
Recruiter: TFPL
Country: United Kingdom
Legal Knowhow Content Developer - Contract
Legal intranet content, information architecture and taxonomy specialist for one year Maternity Leave vacancy.
Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
Country: United Kingdom
Knowledge and Information Manager
The Knowledge and Information Manager's duties include working with colleagues on improved communication, knowledge sharing and...
Recruiter: House of Commons
Country: United Kingdom
Research Consultant
Health economics consultancy in North East needs researcher with literature searching experience in the medical sector. Permanent role, GBP 21,000 - GBP 35,000
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited
Country: United Kingdom
CI Reporting
Organiser: Institute for Competitive Intelligence
Date: 8 May 2009
Country: United Kingdom
Perfect Information Conference 2009
Entering into its sixth year, the PIC has a solid reputation for focusing on the needs of senior information professionals, department heads and key decision makers across investment banks, law firms...
Organiser: Perfect Information
Date: 12-14 May 2009
Country: United Kingdom
EPublishing Innovation Forum
A 2-day conference to help you revolutionise your business models
Organiser: Incisive Media
Date: 19-20 May 2009
Country: United Kingdom
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>.
Resource of the Week: Europeana by Adrian Janes, UK Contributing Editor.
Europeana is an ambitious collaborative project between European archives, libraries and museums. First launched in November 2008, the initial interest was so great that it overwhelmed the site. The current version is described as a prototype, with the full-scale launch now expected in 2010. But even at this stage, it is a most interesting resource, claiming currently to provide access to four million digital items but anticipating this to have grown to 10 million by next year. 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.
A look back at what the FreePint Newsletter covered at this time in previous years:
FreePint No. 251, 24th April 2008. "UK Government Information on the Internet" and "Develop Your Independent Business: Using Information Strategically"
FreePint No. 228, 19th April 2007. "Product Evaluations: Completing a Needs Assessment" and "Tough Love: Excelling at Customer Service Is Not Just One Big Happy-Clappy Hugfest"
FreePint No. 205, 4th May 2006. "Gleaning consumer intelligence from blogs and podcasts" and "Trends in business information, provision and use"
FreePint No. 110, 18th April 2002. "A World of Resources Awaits You in China" and "Customer Satisfaction - do you know what they think of your information service?"
Sara Waddington (Senior Managing Editor, FreePint), Jane Eason, Heather Carine, Jane John, Nancy Davis Kho (Copyeditor), Robin Neidorf (General Manager), William Hann (Publisher), Douglas Brown (Proofreader).
Advertisers/Sponsors:
Quantum2 from Dialog, Sue Hill Recruitment and Services Limited, Glen Recruitment, TFPL, Weekes Gray Recruitment, House Of Commons.
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FreePint is sponsoring an award, to 
Finding and sharing the right information can sometimes be a matter of life and death, as this issue of the FreePint Newsletter illustrates. The charity Practical Action, writes Jane Eason in her article '
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