Computers in Libraries -- Mary Ellen Bates

There are people you want to hang out with because they're nice, and people you want to hang out with because they're cool, and there are people you want to hang out with because they're knowledgeable. Mary Ellen Bates manages to be all three at the same time. If you ever get to see one of her search presentations I highly recommend it; they are information-packed.

Her session was "30 Search Tips in 40 Minutes", and there were at least 30. Just some thoughts on some of her recommendations:

* Use Firefox -- She mentioned that Firefox users are like Mac users in that they get big eyes and want to evangelize everyone. I am at the moment using Firefox ON a Mac. I'll try to restrain myself.

* Use Thesauri and Web Dictionaries -- She mentioned a site called TaxonomyWarehouse.com of which I had not heard. If you have any interest in taxonomies at all you must visit this site.

* Use Google's synonym feature -- She mentioned that Google's synonym factor is not necessarily all that, because ~aluminum will also pick up marginal matches like AL. However you can also omit words with the synonym search: ~aluminum -AL. Or you can search for a synonym and then omit the first word, like ~aluminum -aluminum. Hilarity ensues! This is also a good way to get a handle on what words are being matched.

* Use Tools, Not Search Engines -- I couldn't agree more. Searchable subject indexes have an equally important place online and they don't get enough attention.

* Monitor Weblogs with Clipping Services -- Mary Ellen mentioned that she monitors weblogs just as much for the links to the lesser-known, buried, under-the-radar stuff as she does for the commentary. She didn't mention Feedster.com, instead mentioning Technorati and PubSub.

* See how others search the Web -- She made the good point that by browsing answers.google.com you can get a sense of the strategies others use when doing searches. That's a good point. There are other places you can hang out to learn this kind of stuff too, like CARR-L.

* Mine Yahoo Groups -- yes! And Google Groups as well.

* Try a new search engine once a month -- I don't think I'd limit myself to once a month; instead I'd try new searc engines as often as possible. Don't limit yourself to the big two or three or four or five; keep your eye out for the new stuff and try it.

These are just some of the things that Mary Ellen talked about. You can get more information about her, and a free "tip of the month" that she makes available, at http://www.BatesInfo.com . Thanks Mary Ellen!

Posted to | TrackBack