Buckland's Article 'Information As A Thing'
Information as a thing reponse
In Buckland’s article, Information as a Thing, he describes the use of the term ‘information’ in three different ways. Information-as-process in which the gain of information objectively changes the knowledge of the receiver of said information. Essentially, information-as-process is being knowledgable about something. An example of this in my life would be often applicable knowledge of the outdoors: I am often able to contribute to conversations about the outdoors because of the information I possess on the subject.
Information-as-knowledge, the second use of the term, indicates that information can act as an intangible thing, unable to be expressed through physical objects, but instead through description,
leaving them somewhat subject to personal interpretation influenced by bias, experiences, etc. An example of this within my own life would be when I impart unto others my information mentioned earlier of the outdoors. The verbal passing down of this knowledge, my description open to my biases and interpretations is representative of information-as-knowledge.
Lastly, information-as-thing represents the physical representation of information or knowledge, often through such mediums as documents, databases, or texts. A good way to conceptualize this type of information would be to imagine if I were to write a book based on factual information of my twice previously mentioned knowledge of the outdoors, and give it to others as a source of information for them to learn from, that would Basically, anything can fulfill this role as long as it is “having the quality of imparting knowledge or communicating information; instructive.” (Oxford English Dictionary, 1989, vol. 7, p. 946).
In Buckland’s article, Information as a Thing, he describes the use of the term ‘information’ in three different ways. Information-as-process in which the gain of information objectively changes the knowledge of the receiver of said information. Essentially, information-as-process is being knowledgable about something. An example of this in my life would be often applicable knowledge of the outdoors: I am often able to contribute to conversations about the outdoors because of the information I possess on the subject.
Information-as-knowledge, the second use of the term, indicates that information can act as an intangible thing, unable to be expressed through physical objects, but instead through description,
leaving them somewhat subject to personal interpretation influenced by bias, experiences, etc. An example of this within my own life would be when I impart unto others my information mentioned earlier of the outdoors. The verbal passing down of this knowledge, my description open to my biases and interpretations is representative of information-as-knowledge.
Lastly, information-as-thing represents the physical representation of information or knowledge, often through such mediums as documents, databases, or texts. A good way to conceptualize this type of information would be to imagine if I were to write a book based on factual information of my twice previously mentioned knowledge of the outdoors, and give it to others as a source of information for them to learn from, that would Basically, anything can fulfill this role as long as it is “having the quality of imparting knowledge or communicating information; instructive.” (Oxford English Dictionary, 1989, vol. 7, p. 946).