2. Characteristics InformationDictionary“Informatio” : Latin for concept or ideaOrdered sequence of symbolsCommunicable knowledge of somethingObtained as a result of processing dataInformation != Information Medium (e.g. Terabyte Disks)Substitutes labor Intangible product of humanity for humanityCan be Audio/Visual/Touch Has a Time Value and Context that is recipient specificCreation cost is greater than transformation or replication costNeeds interpretationMore != better, Share != loseIs potentially infinite
3. Information OverloadMore information than we can processTechnology is producing information rapidlyMultiple format, low quality due to ease of creationHelplessness, Guilt , Inadequacy when keeping upAvailable time for information processing is shrinkingStress , Low motivation and Anxiety due to what we know and what we think we must knowPeople collect “information on information” at higher and higher level and lose understandingInformation feeds requirement for more informationInformation is highly accessible due to InternetBecome collectors and catalogers of information
4. Information BehaviorInformation SeekingCasual Browsing, Skimming, Scanning, I am Lucky Searching (or Low Hanging Fruit), A bit-at-a-time retrieval, Footnote/Reference chasing, Citation searching, Journal run , Area scanning, Subject searches, Author searchingInformation UseTaking Notes, Annotating, Sharing (sometimes “use = creation” as in Wikipedia)Information Foraging or SnackingUse animal like scents (e.g. I like It on Face-book) or foraging mechanisms to find information help other animals find them using trailsInformation GroundsUse online or offline gatherings to exchange information (e.g. Birds of a Feather Meeting)Information Horizon MappingMapping online, offline or through networks in which information can be obtained preferentially (e.g. Software Network Analysis)Information CollectionKeep Everything , Curate (Delicious bookmarking)Information CreationNon Typical : Relying on Goodwill (asking for address), Serendipity
5. Being Information SavvyUse Organization Tools like filing folders or tagging and automatic tools (see references) and Devices like Personal Digital AssistantsKnow Thyself before you seekLearning Style : Doer, Thinker, Theorizer, User; Information Style : Reader, Listeners, Speaker, Writer, Words , Pictures, Personal Sensory Preference, Finder, Reminder, Global, Local, Addict, Need to Know only; Personality : Extrovert, Introvert, Open, Shy, Intuitive, Logical, FeelingUse information filters, information pruners (e.g. read by date, source) and use why, what, when, how and who to classify and networks to ask the right people the right questionsUse Technology that increases information density like News Feeds Manage your time using a Time Management ToolCollect information optimal to decision.Focus on uninteresting but important informationRemember to Forget, Sleep well, eat well, play, disconnect for some time and relaxAs a creator and communicator of informationKnow your receivers information style (words, picture, action) and their context (need, age, gender, time)Communicate in the preferred mode and of receiver and observe etiquetteShare your expertise and build reputation
6. ThanksToolsXobni (http://www.xobni.com/) can classify emails in Outlook Grind Stone 2 (http://www.epiforge.com/Grindstone2/) and True Time Tracker (http://www.truetimetracker.com/) are free and simple time tracking softwarehttps://www.rememberthemilk.com/ is a free To Do ListReferenceshttp://gseis.ucla.edu/faculty/bates/berrypicking.html?Information Overload?- A System for Better Managing Everyday Data, GuusPijpershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_foragingRamramkumar.iyer@gmail.com