Customer Reviews

The Information Broker's Handbook

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In contrast to Mary Ellen's book, this book is actually for self-starters who are thinking about creating their own small business and covers such excellent basics as the market for information, what an information broker does, the pros and cons of the information business, and then the tools, followed by chapters on marketing, pricing, and project management. Although seven years old now, I still regard this as a good starting point for those who would understand the information brokering business (a small niche within the larger open source intelligence business).

Reading a book like this makes you appreciate the rapid advancement of internet technology and the availability of online resources. In some ways this book reads like ancient history. (Remember Archie and Gopher? ftp?) That said, you can still learn how to use many older and traditional information resources, and the book's main focus -- becoming a professional information broker -- remains relevant and intact.

Part One, The Information Business, defines the market for information and the role and requirements of a professional information broker. Part Two, Fundamental Tools and Techniques, is a user-friendly guide to library, government and public records resources. These two sections are still quite useful, though obviouisly incomplete. Part Three, Electronic Options and Alternatives, is outdated, addressing no World Wide Web resources at all, though it does cover online special interest groups (SIGs) and bulletin boards (BBSs) well. Part Four, The Business Side of Information Brokering, is quite valuable and deals with completing a project, marketing, sales, pricing, contracts and billing.

Appendices cover essential resources (books, software and magazines), vendors, conferences, associations and seminars. An accompanying 3-1/2-inch floppy disk contains the appendices as well as electronic forms and letters, and a sample report. Stylistically, this disc is like a fine black & white movie. ASCII text files ensure accessibility by multiple platforms, and elegant but casual writing combined with beautifully-formatted text is information rich. If you buy this book used, make sure you get the disk too.

In short, while some of the content is quite outdated, this book and disk would still prove invaluable for someone who is interested in becoming an information professional. Rich in content, accessible in style.

A friend recently said I have "an almost pathological passion" for research. Yip, he's right! And this book, along with Reva Basch's "Researching Online For Dummies" has been of invaluable help. I read some parts of both nearly everyday. I've read in other reviews that The Information Broker's Handbook was skimpy on where to find info online. Maybe, but that wasn't the whole point of the book. And, at nearly 580 pages, it is more than sufficient in detail and is a clear, informative guide. Most people probably wouldn't pick a technical manual to read for recreational reading, but it is so interestingly written that it really is hard to put down, and you learn so much even from casual reading a bit at a time. I love this book, and couldn't do without it. It is perfect for information nuts, especially since the Internet is a knowledge junkie's paradise!

This is written in a breezy, but not simplistic style. Ninety percent of it is on the social and business aspects of being an information broker, so the book is good for that. Treatment of info-searching skills is rather skimpy and probably won't tell you anything that you didn't learn in college.

The authors deliver exactly that which the title suggests. The pointers inside this easy-to-read text alone are worth the price of 'admission'. Even if the reader has no entrepreneurial bent, it is simply an outstanding guide which will well serve anyone seeking information.

If you are considering information brokering, this should be the first book you read. It is quite complete, yet you can skim it easily because of how well the material is organized. This is an easy read, as well, thanks to the writing style. Most important of all, you will get current, practical and valuable information. Enjoy!

This book is a "must have" for anyone interested in the information brokering field. It is very readable and chock full of advice, insights, and useful tidbits of information written by real experts in the information field. I felt like I was getting the "inside scoop". This book would also serve as a good reference tool for established information professionals

I felt it was a good background on the industry. I expected more information with examples. Very detailed on where to find information elsewhere on the business and for the business.

I have the hardcover version of is book, and have begun looking at it. It seems to be everything it claims. It should be noted that the companion disk mentioned in the contents seems to be a separate product, it is not included with the book. My rating would probably be the best for its purpose, but I haven't seen any of its competition, and I haven't yet used it for some searching I feel called to do.

This book I can't really comment on because I returned it. It wasn't what I was looking for exactly.