Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
symbols, text, or a colored drawing that supports the notion that a picture can be
worth a thousand words. Snapchat can be pushed out to a personal contact that
has access to the image for short-term use.
These examples are not restricted to recreational use. Technology that begins
as a recreational information function becomes a mode of communication that ulti-
mately can be used for informational and educational purposes, supporting profes-
sional development.
Recreational dollars are spent for enjoyment, including purchase of devices,
software to play games or songs, or to simply upgrade to the next bigger phone to
watch movies, or to a smaller device to make travel easier. For example, a number
of apps are designed for star enthusiasts to use for enjoying the night sky. Now
parents of grade schoolers can use it to pick out the constellations, planets, or the
Milky Way galaxy for a homework assignment. Beginning astronomers can see the
image of Orion's belt outlining and connecting the stars that make up the constel-
lation, making the mythical stories come alive in the nighttime sky. The app could
even be used to wow a date on a summer evening stroll. Fairly recently, free apps
have become even more profitable due to the paid ads surrounding apps; as a res-
ult, more quality apps are available for free and supported on a variety of devices.
In the emergent paradigm, the information functions are overlapping. The func-
tion of recreation may also overlap with the information function. In other words,
information may be needed in order to plan a road trip during time off from work.
One might conduct an information search on Google. One might check in with the
local department of wildlife to discover where the fish are biting and then plan lunch
by looking for picnic tables along the river on a map from the local department of
transportation's Web site. Perhaps an interest in rafting during that same trip would
drive one to seek out the level of rapids. This could be done by checking out the
flow of the rapids, cubic feet per minute readings, to determine if the waves are too
high to go down a section of the river.
Informational Function
Information for decision-making can take many forms. Information professionals
included, one could seek out information in any number of ways. Maybe a project
in the yard has you puzzled as you troubleshoot a solution for your solar outdoor
lamps that light your walkway. You reach for your cell phone to look up hours for a
store in town or a number to call and inquire about the purchase of batteries. Since
information is a valued commodity, the information professional has a valuable role
of identifying and synthesizing information for other professionals; for example, in
business, law, medicine, and other professions.
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