[Sigia-l] Applying Information Foraging Models

[Derek R]

Maybe it would stir some discussion if I simplify things:

To present:
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=present

- To offer for observation, examination, or consideration; show or
display
- Existing or happening now; current
- To introduce; to bring before the public


To refer:
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=refer

- To assign to or regard as belonging within a particular kind or class
- To direct to a source for help or information (delay)
- To submit to an authority


I would like to address the difference between the two above
'interaction design' approaches, (in light of Jakob's assertion of
'Information foraging' as "the most important concept to emerge from
Human-Computer Interaction research since 1993") and talk.

Maybe the best place to start would be to ask if reference, (as opposed
to presentation), is really what 'information foraging science' is all
about ?

It appears to me 'reference' is exactly what 'Information foraging'
methodology is all about, but, I would appreciate anyone's input on
this.

 
To illustrate I would suggest, for instance, that a P2P network is a
good example of a 'presentation' methodology in that content is made
available in real-time, and made available holistically.*

*I say 'holistically' in that the user is not forced to submit to any
authorities/orders to 'get at' the content. The content is offered
*all-at-once* (like a search/command-line interface).

On the other hand, a good example of a 'reference' methodology might be
your typical Web site which has categories, hyper-links to other pages,
hierarchies, etc... all of which demand users submit to their authority
in order to make 'use' possible (i.e. things are 'referenced' in a
particular way, through particular paths, which one can take the time to
navigate).


Now, not to be over-zealous or inattentive, obviously 'reference' offers
much needed guidance in order to 'make sense' or give meaning to
otherwise unordered content.

*However* -- and this key to understanding -- should this mechanism,
which 'gives order' and provides a 'reference' for the user, be
INGRAINED in the content without separation ?

(i.e. With the instance of our above categories and hierarchies, these
'orders' can be separated from the content through a 'search mechanism'
IF, and only if, someone hasn't monkeyed the search results through the
same or yet another set of hierarchies or 'categories of use'. ~ At what
point are things allowed to be themselves ~ a flower just a flower ?)

In short, there is a danger with 'reference' that the MEDIUM BECOMES THE
MESSAGE -- which is to say, so much bureaucracy breeds nothing but more
bureaucracy (Gilliam's movie 'Brazil') -- something William Burroughs
caught onto right away which prompted him to declare "Language is a
virus."

Presentation as a medium, however, remains nothing but what is aimed at,
being contemporaneous.


Anyway, there is a great deal of Wisdom here to discover and talk about
with regards to how we, as Information Professionals, approach our work,
especially in light of recent hyperbolic statements coming from industry
leaders like Nielsen.