Module 2a: Information Systems IMT530: Organization of Information Resources Winter, 2007 Michael Crandall

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources2 Recap Information objects need representation to be used in a context– physical or digital For storage and retrieval, some characteristics need to be agreed upon How those characteristics are defined determines the usability of the information In a digital environment, many views are possible, but not all are economically feasible How do you decide what to do? That’s what we’ll be looking at the rest of the quarter

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources3 Exercise Results Fit in the backpack Use during the day Use daily Lightweight Circle/semi-circle shape Manufacturing products Giving some type of information More than one color Able to make unique noise Having line/parallel line No overwhelming smell Hand oriented Inedible Require light to use Shape Weight Size Color Texture Scent Edible Price Disposability Durability Functionality Perishability Number of components Rigidity

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources4 Module 2a Outline Tacit vs. explicit information Information systems and functions Concepts of constructing IR systems Traditional IR systems Content vs. users The impact of the web on traditional approaches

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources5 The Big Picture Selamat & Choudrie, 2004 We’re here this quarter But don’t forget the rest

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources6 Information Systems Three functions of an information system –Storage –Retrieval –Presentation As size of collection grows, tools for retrieval become more complex Deciding on what approach to take in designing and implementing system needs a methodology to be successful We’ll look at traditional methods today and see how the web has impacted them

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources7 Information Systems Soergel, 1985

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources8 Constructing IR Systems Simplest case is to search all objects for every query– not very effective at scale Soergel suggests four economy measures –Cutting examination time –Batching queries –Proactively collecting queries and matching entity descriptions to anticipated needs –Providing a retrieval mechanism

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources9 The Workings of the Black Box Soergel, 1985

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources10 Traditional IR Systems Operate on closed domains of information Rely on surrogates for access to materials –Physical objects are not embedded in the system, and often are not accessible digitally Are supported by humans –Intermediaries provide access –Intermediaries interpret results Are generally developed based on collections –Reflect intermediary needs, not end-user needs

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources11 Content vs. Users Two types of metadata: extrinsic and intrinsic –Extrinsic comes from outside the object--used primarily for management and administration –Intrinsic is derived from the object itself– used for description, identification and discovery Soergel further breaks down intrinsic –Descriptive indexing is used to define the object –Subject indexing is used to place the object in relation to other objects in the system’s representation of the world All types of metadata are important for retrieval, but the most complicated is that used to represent subjects Constructing this subject representation is where user needs become key

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources12 The Effect of the Web Users become king Requires a shift in thinking about how objects are represented in a system Removal of intermediaries means that the system now has to fulfill that function Means that representation of the objects from a user’s viewpoint is critical to success of the system Interoperability has become a major concern as systems begin to integrate –Requires agreement on standards and models –We’ll look at some of these approaches on Thursday

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources13 Another View of an ISAR

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources14 Questions? If not, take a break!!!

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources15 Exercise 2a Find your groups Spend the next 45 minutes exploring the examples in Exercise 2a Ask questions and talk!!! Be sure to hand in completed work at the end of class for credit!!!

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources16 IR Systems Wrapup Examples showed different approaches –Based on content AND audience –Emphasis may be different based on origins Did you find commonalities among the examples? What were the main differences? –What do you think these were driven by? –Where do you think metadata fits in these systems?

IMT530A- Organization of Information Resources17 Next Time We’ll look at modeling information objects and relationships Remember to read the assignments BEFORE class Complex reading, but don’t panic- try to get a sense of what the articles are about, and come with questions See you Thursday!!