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If you want to lead in the internet age, then you need to access important information rapidly. Use these tools to get out in front.
Deciding which tool to use
Whether you are new to these tools or not, spending some time familiarising yourself with different ways to keep up-to-date may save you considerable time in the future. In deciding which tool to use, think about the answers to the following questions:
- Do I want everything coming into my mailbox?
- Where and how do I access these tools?
- What’s the best use of my time?
- Will these tools expose information sources I haven’t previously used?
The table below lists some pros and cons which may be useful for you to consider.
| Tool | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Mailing lists | Easy to set up Archived on the web Opportunity for networking | May overwhelm your mailbox Limited audience Not always active |
| RSS Feeds | Updated frequently Able to access full information (e.g. article, podcast or proceedings) from brief summary Easy to manage | Need to set up a feed reader Graphics and photos do not appear Not always available |
| Alerts | Delivered to your mailbox Relevance is high Exposed to the material you were unaware of | Dependent on the quality of your search Have to register with several sites Not available for every resource you may be interested in |
