I concur, this is a great conversation. I like Dan Stuhlman's distinctions between data, information and knowledge. These are conceptually discrete concepts (not only in English) and necessary for the efficient use of processing (man or machine) information.
When I worked for HP in the 1980s I used to cite the ISO standards (being developed about the same time as Z39.50). Some searching on the web for the standard suggests that the info types (IT) have come to appreciate that data is not equivalent to information, and especially not knowledge. Though more recent standards have refined the initial attempt, most do refer to ISO 2382-1 (see below). Information requires human recognition and organization, knowledge an accumulation and assimilation; data do not (do the trees fall in the forest if there is no one to hear them?) Fresh out of library school, it was startling in the 1980s to hear how the IT community used "information," as though bits and pieces had an influence on our actions. This was about the same time that libraries became information centers. The fuzzy use of information made me uncomfortable with this label, but I suppose the ubiquitous use of data-bases has now convinced most that there is a distinction. "Information" delivery is indeed the best use of libraries. "Knowledge" may require tea ceremonies (or rabbis?). 13.3. Information and data 13.3.1. Information (ISO/IEC 2382-1) Knowledge concerning objects, such as facts, events, things, processes, or ideas, including concepts, that within a certain context has a particular meaning 13.3.2. Data (ISO/IEC 2382-1) A reinterpretable representation of information in a formalised manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing (<http://www.isotc211.org/wg4/wg-n022.html#I70>http://www.isotc211.org/wg4/wg-n022.html#I70) Rebecka Snell Labson ========================================================================== HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
