The Information Broker's Handbook

by Sue Rugge and Alfred Glossbrenner

Book Overview

Rugge and Glossbrenner examine all of the search and retrieval options used by today's successful information brokers - everything from conventional library research to online databases, special... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 007911878X
• ISBN13: 9780079118783
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 453 Pages
• Weight: 1.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

still valuable, if a bit dated

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 Part Three, Electronic Options and Alternatives, is outdated, addressing no World Wide Web resources at all, though it does cover online special interest groups (SIGs) and bulletin boards (BBSs) well.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 In short, while some of the content is quite outdated, this book and disk would still prove invaluable for someone who is interested in becoming an information professional.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.

Solid Basic of Starting an Information Brokering Business

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).

Thorough, engaging and more importantly, very useful.

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!

Excellent Reference for beginner or advance

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.

It was very comprehensive and informative

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