1. Top Ten Tips Mary Ellen Bates Bates Information Services Internet Librarian International 28 March 2001

2. www.BatesInfo.com 1. Sit back and think. What’s the point? When do I stop? Who cares about this topic? What’s my strategy?

3. www.BatesInfo.com 2. Use tools, not engines Directories Yahoo! and LookSmart Portals About.com Subject portals: Business.com Guides Built by experts or someone with a passion

4. www.BatesInfo.com 3. Look around Use a site’s map or index Look for site search option Always read Advanced Search tips Look for out-going links

5. www.BatesInfo.com 4. Search the Invisible Web Databases PDF, PowerPoint, WP and other non-ASCII files Non-print material: audio, video Current material: news

6. www.BatesInfo.com 5. Manage your bookmarks If they’re not used often, purge Fight Link Rot Put in folders so they’re organised Think of them as your personal KM database

7. www.BatesInfo.com 6. Use web link lookups Search syntax: link:www.BatesInfo.com Judge how often a site is linked-to Find “more like this” Find hidden relationships

8. www.BatesInfo.com 7. Ask people Web discussion forums Listservs Ask-an-expert sites Maybe Usenet newsgroups

9. www.BatesInfo.com 8. “Surface” your sources Use the professional online services Promote them to management List all sources in your report Ask clients for their favourites

10. www.BatesInfo.com 9. Less is more Focus on delivering less, more focused, more distilled info Look for analysis Look for unique sources Think ADDED VALUE

11. www.BatesInfo.com 10. Watch your time Know when to stop Know how much this project is “worth” Use professional online services Outsource if appropriate

12. www.BatesInfo.com Mary Ellen Bates Bates Information Services Washington, DC +1 202.332.2360 mbates@BatesInfo.com www.BatesInfo.com

13. www.BatesInfo.com