RESEARCH> online info gathering services?

Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 11:32:45 +1300
From: Louise Parkin

I have done some research into both Factiva and LexisNexis that others on
the list may find useful. I spent ages last year weighing up the pros and
cons of each and have a table comparing all the different aspects like
sources, searching capabilities, cost, billing etc. If anyone would like
me to email it to them please contact me directly.

kind regards
Louise Parkin
______________________________
Managing Director, Saints Information
Library & Information Management Consultancy and Overnight Research for the
Voluntary Sector
[url]www.saintsinformation.co.uk[/url]

PO Box 35130, London SE5 8WP
Ph/Fx: 0800 093 2353
Mobile: 07762 126 453

Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 12:34:13 -0000
From: Larry Boyd

If you can't afford Lexis-Nexis:

It is amazing how much information on a prospect pops up with a Google
search -- unless your prospect is named John Smith.

Annual reports are available on line at Companies House for £5.
[url]http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/[/url]

The Free Pint web site and newsletter is the place to learn about
internet research. Go to [url]http://www.freepint.com/index.html[/url]
Free Pint also collates reports on companies and company directors for
a modest price.

Also links to freelance researchers and research companies.

Here are some Free Pint stories about charities:
TIPS ARTICLE

"Further Voluntary Sector Resources"
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
[url]http://www.freepint.co.uk/issues/180101.htm#tips[/url]
"Internet Resources for the Voluntary Sector"
FEATURE ARTICLE
[url]http://www.freepint.co.uk/issues/010301.htm#feature[/url]
"Putting your money where your mouse is - online charities"
By John Wood

++++++++++++++
Larry Boyd
Tools for Self Reliance
Website [url]www.tfsr.org[/url]
++++++++++++++++
Practical help for practical people

Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 10:55:48 -0000
From: Jools Burke

re. [url]www.lexisnexis.com[/url]

I think the Development Professional Package is there just to show that they
have some understanding of the voluntary sector's needs.

I would call them and get a rep to come and visit - they should listen to
what information you will need from it and arrange a week's free access.
Some info sources are premium, such as companies' house data, so think
carefully about how much info you would need from it. (Companies House would
be very useful in some circumstances, but we don't pay for it)
But it's amazing what info you can pick up from gossip columns and obscure
magazines that you probably would never look at yourself.

Julian

Julian Burke
St Martin-in-the-Fields
[email]julian.burke@smitf.org[/email]

Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 11:38:43 -0000
From: Debbie

What a dazzling array of options! Which one did you sign up for? It
seemed that the Development Professional package would be the one for
potential high value donors. Is this what you are doing research on?

Debbie
[email]debbie@stgilestrust.co.uk[/email]

Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 13:29:04 -0000
From: Jools Burke

Hi

We use Lexis Nexis [url]www.lexisnexis.com[/url]
It's a brilliant tool for research on individuals, companies, etc. giving
access to newspapers and magazines, all the usual biography publications,
government information, depending on the level of access that you subscribe
to. For regular press cuttings, you can set up a query that will email you
if there is any new news.

It's quite expensive but they have quite a few charity clients and may be
able to cut a deal depending on the number of users. Also best to have a
broad band connection.

Before signing up we also had a trial with the Reuters version, but much
preferred this one. Good training and support available too.

Julian Burke
St Martin-in-the-Fields
London WC2N 4JJ
020 - 7766 1100
[email]julian.burke@smitf.org[/email]