Internet Search Skills - Guidance
in the use of Internet Information.

Learning about the internet by osmosis may have sufficed in the past but as this website should clearly demonstrate, we can do better. Dream of an internet providing us quality, balance and detail. Now consider, would you like a helping hand?

I have returned to reside in Melbourne. Work continues.

picture of angel
 


Library Talks

No Library Talks are currently scheduled.
- My current focus is on several video material.

Until I resume these talks, I invite you to read from my book, Internet Informed or browse other material on this website. Yes, I generally welcome public speaking activities.

   

    


The talk lasts for one hour, followed by 20 minutes of questions.

I assume attendees know how to use the internet; how to toss words at Google. That is all the experience required. Novice searchers will learn a great deal. However, more experienced searchers will find this talk both confronting and inspiring. It is the nature of my work at the border of library science and computer science that my talks are equally accessible to novice and expert searchers alike - though experienced internet users will often get the most value from attending.

This detail is supported by the hundreds of librarians I have taught through commercial seminars. You can also confirm this yourself by reading from my book, Internet Informed: Guidance for the Dedicated Searcher , published online here.

I am particularly keen to see younger, more savvy internet users attend.

I invite each library to alter the content to their needs, though almost all talks will include a discussion on:

  • The role of fame, of prominence, on the internet. Searchers should decide if they seek it. Publishers desperately need it. Internet culture is changed by it. Fame points to a solution to many of the frustrations of working with internet information.
  • The opportunities of precision, through the use of three field searches: title, URL and link. Proper use of these three fields open many avenues to explore and get us around the problems of prominence.
  • The magic of context. The internet obscures many of the normal clues we use to judge information. However, they exist nearby. I'll show how to retrieve some of this halo of supportive detail.
    • Testimonial
    "David is an engaging speaker
    who leads the way in de-mystifying internet searching."
    -- Mia Mikin,
    Yarra Libraries
    		    
    I end with audience questions for another twenty minutes.

    This is not an author-talk about how I wrote a book. This is cutting-edge experience by one of the world's foremost experts on internet search skills. And it is coming to a library near you. I urge you to browse SpireProject.com and confirm these details for yourself.

    "Don't talk to me of surfing and serendipity.
    I want results. Answers.
    Even to questions I can't quite articulate."
    The internet is a galaxy.
    It shares all the structure, order and organization of a galaxy.
     And like a galaxy, that order, that organization,
    is not immediately visible.

    Education does not end with an hour talk. Professional seminars may interest those who have a closer affinity to internet information.

    Attended by staff from:
    (Bold signifies repeatedly)
    National Library New Zealand
    Reserve Bank New Zealand
    Trade New Zealand
    Australian Government Solicitor
    PricewaterhouseCoopers
    Australian Dairy Corp
    SAGRIC International
    Transport SA
    Carlton & United Breweries
    Victoria Police Library Service
    State Library of South Australia         		   University of Sydney Library
    Marcus Oldham College
    C'Wealth Director of Public Prosecutions
    Australian Defence Library Service
    Defence Library - NZ
    BankWest
    Dept Prime Minister & Cabinet
          Canberra Library
    The Age
    New Zealand Herald
    Small Business Administration: Seattle
    Microsoft Corporation: Seattle
    <and many more> 

  • Notice who has attended ...
    Past clients include many of our best knowledge workers like state librarians, commercial researchers and specialists. In-house engagements include two state libraries, the DSTO (Dept of Defence) and many a government agency.
  • Read some endorsements.
    The Spire Project has attracted over a million visits, a cover article in the US ONLINE magazine and some beautiful comments. And this is just before publishing a book.
    Love your work... The Spire Project is outstanding.
    -- John Makulowich, USA Today columnist
    ... the VERY BEST professional development activity we have attended.
    -- Jill Sparks, Manager, Learning Resource Centre, Mildura, Australia.

    Need Further Information?

    If I have left questions unanswered, just call or email. I look forward to seeing you in person...

    David Novak
    The Spire Project - better ways to find information. [SpireProject.com] Internet Informed: guidance for the dedicated searcher. [ISBN: 0975729918] This email form or tel +61 403 05 5544

       to article listThe Spire Project - better ways to find information.
    Like this? Receive our bi-monthly update notice.
     | SpireProject.com | Project Background | Feedback. Copyright©David Novak 2004.