Net-Based Information Resources: Making the Most of Web Content
by Barbie E. Keiser, The College of Insurance
Internet sources will be approached, from a highly practical
perspective, by an information professional who supports the research
needs of organizations on a daily basis. What's available and how do
we find it, how do we validate what we find, and how can we be kept
informed of new developments?
This one-day workshop will help you identify and evaluate Web
sites in your subject area, distinguish hard information resources on
the Net from soft, understand how traditional online services are
approaching the technology and how they intend to compete with the
"upstarts." Attendees should come away with a greater understanding of
what resources are available to them, prepared to develop a strategy
to deal with future technological and likely social developments.
by Ev Brenner, Information Consultant
THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Introduction:
This seminar also offers an historical perspective of the
information retrieval arena. Not many of today's players understand
the events of the last few decades which have led to much of today's
perplexity in the field. Particular emphasis will be placed on the
interface problems between the databases and the users: what special
considerations are necessary for end-user searching and what are the
hopes and promises for machine-aided indexing and full-text searching.
by Howard McQueen, McQueen Consulting
An IntraNet should provide seamless access to a variety of
information resources crucial to the success of the organization. From
an information management perspective, this seminar will examine the
conceptual and proven technologies that organizations are using to
build IntraNets; from crucial planning considerations; to types of
people skills and expertise required; to the technical challenges.
As anyone who has used the Web knows, a consistent style with
good navigational aids is critical for any set of pages. The same
applies to an IntraNet. We'll briefly discuss style guides,
navigational aids, graphics, and JavaScripting.
Unfortunately, much content does not lend itself to
cost-effective conversion to HTML. Scientific nomenclature, mixed
formats including tables and pictures, etc., may be best optimized
with PDF and other formats. What if you had to run a department tasked
with converting 100 documents a week for use over the IntraNet. We'll
use an example of a mixed-format document and discuss the options and
issues involved in making it retrievable in a number of formats by a
variety of clients.
As the number of non-static documents on your IntraNet increases,
it will become increasingly difficult to maintain version control and
publish updates in a timely-manner. Hence, the need will arise for an
IntraNet-enabled Document Management System (DMS).
Learn about Groupware applications (forums and interactive
discussions) that will enhance communication and virtual workgroups.
This course will also discuss what may be the "killer" application for
libraries, the Web-based Reference Request System and the resultant
Knowledge Base and benefits from proper implementation.
Middleware applications will be explored as tools which can
provide users with a Web front-end to legacy databases. We will show
you from beginning to end how you can capture structured content and
make it available to web browser users.
Many libraries have built large CD-ROM collections.
Unfortunately, because of technology constraints like Macintosh and
Unix access to DOS and Windows-based databases and bandwidth
requirements for WAN delivery, many have not been able to provide
enterprise-wide access to this data. Howard will demonstrate
technology that can make these databases available to everyone,
through either a custom client or client configured as a "helper
application" to the Web browser. This technology, based upon
remote-control concepts, allows the user to be either on-site or
remote, needing only a 14.4 Kbps modem connection.
Many publishers are offering Web-based subscriptions to
databases. At first glance, this approach may seem like a panacea.
We'll explore some of the issues associated with this delivery
mechanism, including getting past the corporate firewall.
The search engine can be considered the "corporate brain" of the
IntraNet. If a non-Information Professional cannot easily gain access
to relevant information, the IntraNet cannot be considered a true
success, so we will show you criteria for selecting and evaluating
search engine technology, including boolean, natural language,
statistical, symantic and syntactic enhancements. So, where do we go
from here? We will discuss User agent profiles, delivery mechanisms
and alternative ways of displaying hit results so that users can
perceive the interrelatedness of information. We will also talk about
"spider" technology and its ability to provide a "search or IntraNet
Web-space."
Howard will cut through the marketing hype and reveal the subtle,
yet important differences between these products. He'll also review
what he feels are the top IntraNet Search Engines.
If you want to play an integral role in the design,
implementation and/or on-going enhancement to your organization's
IntraNet, this seminar is a must!
Howard McQueen is CEO of McQueen Consulting. Howard combines his
10+ years of hands-on information technology experience working with
libraries, research and information centers to present this seminar.
Over ten years ago, Howard implemented one of the first library CD-ROM
networks in the U.S. During the Information Superhighway's early
years, he taught information professionals how to use (non-Web)
Internet tools to search the Net and was involved with building gopher
servers. The birth of the World Wide Web led to more training,
utilizing new Web tools to increase productivity. Today, he combines
his technical knowledge of CD-ROM, Internet, and Web technologies with
his understanding of electronic information delivery requirements to
build IntraNets with a goal of making information accessible not only
to the information professional but the the (novice) end user.
by D. Scott Brandt, Purdue University
This workshop will focus on techniques which go beyond a
traditional approach to training. As a complex environment, the
Internet presents constant challenges to training, and yet many new
opportunities as well. Content is based partly on the presenter's
current research in designing and developing Internet-related
training, and partly on his consulting with others to revise training
delivery programs.
• Beekman Parlor •
Discovering new sites on the Web is not a problem; hundreds exist
for every topic under the sun. Identifying those to which you should
link when time and money are a consideration--not to mention
comprehensive nature, timeliness and accuracy of the data--is the key.
This seminar will provide participants with objective information and
evaluation as to the nature, extent and quality of information
resources on the Internet.
General news and current affairs
Laws and regulations, education and religion
Sources for scientific and technical information
Economics, business and finance
For each discipline, major sites for government and scholarly
information will be identified and good sites for answering
ready-reference questions noted. Methodologies for performing research
on the Web will be presented and specific resources highlighted. Sites
will be visited throughout the day, with special trials arranged for
attendees of this workshop.
Who should attend?
This program is designed for information professionals who wish
to expand access to subject resources through the use of the Internet.
Some knowledge of print and electronic resources (CD-ROM and online)
is advised.
About the Instructor:
This workshop will be conducted by Barbie E. Keiser, Director of
the Kathryn & Shelby Cullom Davis Library of The College of Insurance
in New York City. A comprehensive bibliography of additional readings
and listing of recommended Web-based resources will be distributed.
The New Search Engines—Boolean and Statistical Approaches to
Searching and the Web Search Services in Historical Perspective
• Madison Suite •
Online services provide traditional Boolean search capabilities
with sophisticated tools to retrieve information, primarily for the
professional searcher. As alternatives, especially for end users,
non-Boolean statistical approach engines with relevance feedback and
weighting capabilities plus semantic and syntactic enhancements have
been appearing in the 1980s and early 1990s. The advent of the
Internet and WWW provides professional searchers and end users with
access to a plethora of unindexed full text and many different search
services to aid retrieval. This seminar will review the implications
and describe the characteristics of the new sophisticated non-Boolean
search engines such as PLS, DR-LINK, Conquest and Clarit and also the
Web search services such as AltaVista, Lycos, Excite, Muscat, Infoseek
Guide, IBM Infomarket, etc.
Seminar Outline:
The Early Years
The Intermediary Era
End-User Searching and the Information Center of the Future
The Non-Boolean Picture
Who Should Attend
About the Instructor
Ev Brenner is well-known in the U.S. and Europe as a leading
information scientist. He has many years experience as a database
producer for the petroleum industry, an information science professor,
and a designer of various seminars on indexing and retrieval. Mr.
Brenner is a consultant and author of Information Insights: The Road
to Knoware, a compilation of articles written for Learned Information
Ltd.'s publication, MONITOR. He is also author of Beyond Boolean—New
Approaches to Information Retrieval, published by The National
Federation of Abstracting and Information Services (NFAIS).
Building the Corporate IntraNet Knowledge Center
• Sutton Parlor South •
Suggested Background Knowledge for Attendees
About the Instructor
Training For and With the 'Net
• Sutton Parlor South •
How do we use a network for delivering training? What do we need
to know about training, and what do we need to know about Internet
delivery technologies? Whether the Internet or an Intranet, the
network offers specific advantages (and some disadvantages) for
developing and delivering training. This workshop will look closely at
the environment in which training takes place, and look at skills and
competencies needed to perform well there. It will also present
examples of how to incorporate various technologies for training in a
networked workplace.
Outline of seminar topics:
Part One: Preparing for training on the 'Net
How is the Internet different as a learning/training environment?
Before training can be delivered via the Internet, one must have a
better understanding of how it differs from traditional training
mediums. Discussion will be given to what experts say about components
for successful and effective learning. And since Web-based training
skills and competencies are different from traditional methods,
discussion and demonstration of techniques for effective training in a
networked medium will be given.
Part Two: Using the 'Net to deliver training
Once one has a better understanding of training, there is need to
be able to design training based on user needs. Design/development
topics include: what is suited for online delivery of training; where
to put information to make it accessible to your users; how to design
systems of delivery and develop content. Overview of technology tools
will include: CGI/Java, graphics/animation, and QuickTime movies. In
addition, various Websites related to and delivery training will be
reviewed. Discussion will also be given developing various tutorials,
from simple online manuals to interactive online tools. Demonstration
of how to develop tutorials which incorporate analogy and animation to
aim for conceptual understanding.
Who should attend
This workshop is designed for those information professionals on
the front line of training who are looking for new and different
strategies for attacking the problem of constantly changing training
needs. It will provide good background information for managers making
decisions and be useful to all interested in understanding the
Internet as a delivery mechanism for training, instruction, and
distance education.
About the Presenter
D. Scott Brandt is an Assistant Professor of Library and
Information Science at Purdue University. He teaches Information
Strategies for the Electrical Engineering Technology Department at
Purdue. His research centers on learning in complex information
environments, and the use of analogy and animation on the Web. He has
published papers on topics ranging from Internet training to mental
models of information retrieval, and writes the column, "Techman's
TechPage" for the journal, Computers in Libraries. He has presented
workshops and consulted nationally on numerous Internet-related topics
for a wide variety of audiences, including several International
Online workshops, and repeat appearances on the nationally televised
Soaring to Excellence teleconference. He has won awards at both MIT
and Purdue University for training and teaching.
Competitive Intelligence: Online and Internet Sources
• Sutton Parlor Center •
by Helen P. Burwell, MLS - President, Burwell Enterprises, Inc.,
Principal, Information Professionals Institute Seminars
Description:
Competitive Intelligence research, as we approach the new
millennium, requires new strategies for capturing the "best"
information. Learn new approaches to evaluating and using the
multitude of electronic sources now available online and new
techniques for keeping up with what's happening stateside and
worldwide. This fast-paced class covers a wide range of online
sources and presents the best tools for building profiles of both
industries and individual companies. Research techniques are examined
in the context of at least fifteen data elements necessary for sizing
up competitors. Specific vendors, database files and Internet sites
are covered, with examples.
Course Outline
Online and Database Sources
Internet Sources
Take-home Materials: course book with Internet address book,
vendor literature, sample disks
About the Instructor:
Helen Burwell is president of Burwell Enterprises, Inc., which
provides consulting and research services to the information industry
and the international business community. The company also publishes
the Information Broker newsletter and The Burwell World Directory of
Information Brokers, which is widely used by business and industry for
outsourcing information research. As principal of the Information
Professionals Institute Seminars, Ms. Burwell shares her expertise
nationwide in a series of seminars covering online and business
information topics for information professionals as well as the
broader corporate community. She is a frequent speaker at regional,
national, and international conferences, and is currently writing a
book on competitor intelligence information sources, to be published
in late 1998. Helen Burwell is a founding member of the Association of
Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) and served as the
organization's first president.
• Regent Parlor •
by Amelia Kassel, Information Professionals Institute Seminars
Description:
This one-day seminar is designed to provide attendees with the
business knowledge and tools necessary to succeed in this challenging
but rewarding profession. Emphasis is on practical information and
advice covering the essentials of start-up, business management and
practices, equipment and technology, pricing and profitability and
much more. Ms. Kassel has more than 26 years of experience as an
information professional and has taught full-semester courses on
Information Brokering at San Jose State University. For a detailed
look at marketing an information brokering business, see Ms. Kassel's
companion seminar "Finding Clients" being offered on Friday, May 15th.
Course Outline
The Market for Information Brokers
Business Plan
Business Management
Technological Considerations
Thumbnail Sketch of the Information Industry
Pricing & Profitability
Legal & Ethical Considerations
Education, Training, Licensing, Certification
Professional Resources
Take-home Materials: course manual & handouts
About the Instructor:
Amelia Kassel has more than 26 years of experience as an
information professional. She is principal and co-founder of
MarketingBASE, an independent information brokerage in business since
1984. MarketingBASE provides business and market intelligence
nationally and globally. She also conducts The Mentor Program, taught
and delivered by e-mail to information brokers or desk-top online
searchers. An author and acknowledged expert in her field, Ms. Kassel
teaches information brokering and online research for the University
of California Berkeley Extension and has taught full semester courses
on information brokering at San Jose State University, Division of
Library and Information Science. She is a journalist, speaker, and
workshop leader at regional and national conferences.
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