Web Resources of the Week
Resource #1 Impressive Search Functionality: The Tower Records Searchable Catalog
Tower Records is one of the most well-known music retailers in many parts of the world and as you would expect they also have a large online presence. This week I'm mentioning the Tower searchable catalog not as a source to purchase music, I'm sure you already have a favorite or a vendor that you must use. I making note of it because the database's advanced interface, provides access to a potentially useful reference tool for music related queries. Two advanced interfaces exist, one for all types of recordings except classical and the second, a specialized classical interface. Take a look at the numerous search criteria to assist in accessing the correct info. General Interface Search Criteria
*Artist
*Guest Artist
*Album Title
*Song (Very Useful if Your Trying to Learn if the Tune is On a Compilation)
*Genre (Over 20 Available Including Spoken Word and Audiobooks)
*Label
*Producer
*Format Classical Interface Search Criteria
*Composer
*Work
*Form (Over 20 Available)
*Performer
*Conductor
*Ensemble
*Album Title
*Label
*Catalog #:
*Instrument
*Format
-------
Entries contains a track listing, release date, a list of guest artists (if available) and in some cases brief bio of the performer. Some data is provided by the music info company Muze. AllMusic.Com is another essential music database to have in your collection.
-- See Also: While we're on the topic of music, Peter Scott, the developer of many essential tools including Libdex (a directory of over 18,000 library sites and catalogs), a wonderful database of publisher catalogs (over 7000), and a comprehensive collection of library weblogs, is building a NEW database of record label information. Btw, those of you who've been online for several years also know Peter as the developer of HYTELNET.
Resource of the Week #2 A Quick Review of Reference Resources from Economist.Com
A sizeable portion of the content is available at no charge.
1) Country Briefings
Available for about 60 nations. Links to some fee-based content.
2) The Economist Business Database
Content provided by Bloomsbury. "Contains a business dictionary covering over 6,000 related terms, practical guides explaining finance, marketing, personnel, and e-commerce, and 144 biographies of important business minds."
3) Backgrounders
"...concise summaries of complex issues in politics, finance, business, science and technology." Included in the backgrounders are links to full-text fee-based articles.
4) The Economist Style Guide
The FreePint Family is a family of resources to help information workers be more effective, raise the value of information in their organisations and contribute to success.
'FreePint... provides most of my professional development because it won't come through work and [other resources] just don't cut it.'
FUMSI Forum: Do you have a research question? Post it to the FUMSI Forum, where professionals share Q&A and useful tips on how to Find, Use, Manage and Share Information. It's free.
FreePint Shop:
VIP LiveWire:
