[Sigia-l] data as information?

[Eric Scheid]

On 29/6/05 3:43 AM, "Listera" <listera at rcn.com> wrote:

>> Data = just the bytes
>> Information = the bytes plus the interpretation of those bytes
> 
> Like the proverbial fallen tree in a forest, what's data without
> interpretation? 

a bunch of numbers or other opaqe symbols.

> How does one even begin to talk about it, without
> interpreting it one way or another?

Talk about the characteristics of the bunch of numbers.

For example: I have a bunch of numbers. Lots and lots of numbers. Each
number ranges in value from 0 to N, integers only. The data collection
device has 4MB of memory, and given the above size and shape of the data,
and knowing that readings are taken every 6 minutes, we can store 'x' days
of readings.

Now to interpret: We know these numbers are rainfall readings in a catchment
area. We plot these readings against time, and against a map with other data
collection devices. We can examine the numbers and see that the recent
flooding was preceded by gentle rains in the west quadrant, while a heavy
rain at a different time in the east quadrant didn't result in much flooding
at all.

Or: We know these numbers are temperature readings [...]

Or: We know these numbers are the daily NASDAQ closing figures [...]

e.