Information is the summarization of data. Technically, data are raw facts and figures that are processed into information, such as summaries and totals. But since information can also be the raw data for the next job or person, the two terms cannot be precisely defined, and both are used interchangeably.
It may be helpful to view information the way it is structured and used, namely: data, text, spreadsheets, pictures, voice and video. Data are discretely defined fields. Text is a collection of words. Spreadsheets are data in matrix (row and column) form. Pictures are lists of vectors or frames of bits. Voice is a continuous stream of sound waves. Video is a sequence of image frames. See universal server.
Information Structures
When information is stored electronically, it is structured according to the way it is used. Databases support all kinds of information.
Information Has "Meaning"
This excerpt from an R&R Report Writer ad exemplifies the idea that information is more usable for the manager than raw data. (Image courtesy of Concentric Data Systems, a subsidiary of Wall Data, Inc.)
It may be helpful to view information the way it is structured and used, namely: data, text, spreadsheets, pictures, voice and video. Data are discretely defined fields. Text is a collection of words. Spreadsheets are data in matrix (row and column) form. Pictures are lists of vectors or frames of bits. Voice is a continuous stream of sound waves. Video is a sequence of image frames. See universal server.
Information Structures
When information is stored electronically, it is structured according to the way it is used. Databases support all kinds of information.
Information Has "Meaning"
This excerpt from an R&R Report Writer ad exemplifies the idea that information is more usable for the manager than raw data. (Image courtesy of Concentric Data Systems, a subsidiary of Wall Data, Inc.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Alive Task Manager 1.9.20.32 (Windows)
- Alive Task Manager is a simple and efficient tool for the planning of diverse tasks. It can be used to generate and view a personal time-table, remind about particular events, create repeated tasks, establish rules for postponement of tasks, etc. The support of a tree-type structure of tasks facilitates allocation...
- Software downloads 2009-11-06
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- News items 2009-11-05
- SmartCallMonitor 1.1 (Windows)
- SmartCallMonitor is the easy-to-use phone monitoring software for TAPI capable hardware like a telephone system or a ISDN card. It automatically tries to match incoming phone calls with data stored in your MS-Outlook contacts to provide information about the caller (e.g. name, address etc.). Information will be shown in a...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- Network Password Manager 3.0 (Windows)
- Network Password Manager NPM is a multifunctional program for the storage, management, and protection of valuable information containing passwords. Unlike similar desktop programs, it supports the multiuser mode, provides a common information environment, and can create centralized data backups. All your vital data will be secured safely using 256-bit AES...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- Data Sweeper Pro 1.6 (Windows)
- Data Sweeper Pro is a lightweight, fast, and easy to use file shredder which provides you a safe way to dispose of any file for good. If you need to get rid of sensitive private information such as bank statements, ID papers, credit card information then Data Sweeper Pro is...
- Software downloads 2009-11-05
- U.S. Ethics Committee staffer file-shares sensitive document
- So the answer will be change the technology, right??...I certainly hope not. The person responsible should be fired immediately, if this group is supposed to be so secretive and protective of their data. Putting ANY work-related material on your personal computer is not only a bad idea, it may be...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-04
- ID3 Editor 1.13.9 (Mac)
- ID3 Editor is a small and simple MP3 tag editor, which offers the ability to edit the most wanted attributes of the ID3 tags in one window. Although iTunes offers a good interface for editing tags, it does have a few important attributes missing, e.g. 'copyright' and 'encoded by' which...
- Software downloads 2009-11-04
- LicenseKeeper 1.5.2 (Mac)
- LicenseKeeper stores and organizes important software license information, helping to prevent the loss of valuable software assets and making it accessible when needed most. Automatic serial number scanning and software information detection greatly reduces cumbersome data entry. Attachments keep related email and documents safely archived along with license and registration...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- Booxter 2.1.3 (Mac)
- Booxter is an application to help you manage your collections of books, music, movies, and comic books. Booxter gathers book information from various sources on the internet to allow you to view, edit, sort, categorize, export, and print books of interest to you. With Booxter you can: add items one...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- RightNote 1.6.5 (Windows)
- RightNote is a note-taker and note-organizer, that allows you to store and organize all bits of different information in a single place - and find that information almost instantly. Instead of having many pieces of paper lying all over your desk, which may contain contact information, phone numbers, to-do lists,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- CAMEO 2.1 (Mac)
- CAMEO is a system of software applications used widely to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies. It is one of the tools developed by EPA?s Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office CEPPO and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Response and Restoration NOAA, to assist front-line chemical...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- vBook 2.1.5 (Mac)
- Written expressly for visual artists, vBook is an all-round tool available for Mac and PC that automates all information management tasks. vBook includes a database type structure that provides works, contacts, sales and expenses management, mail and press archiving and many more. It includes mail and email merge feature, which...
- Software downloads 2009-11-03
- Moffat no longer with IBM as fallout from insider trading scandal continues
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- Obamicans rebranding NHIN-Connect as the Health Internet
- Hey look. A tech storyYou don't want me to write about policy so here's a tech story and we get...crickets. I guess the market is saying write more policy stories, isn't it? I'm sorry...... I'm still trying to figure out what an "Obamican" is.(But you get extra points for using...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- MyUniverse Personal 1.0.6 (Windows)
- MyUniverse Personal is a new kind of application to help you take control of your digital information in a creative, free form and visual way for use at Home, School or Business. It is a highly flexible application for organizing and centralizing access to all kinds of digital information from...
- Software downloads 2009-11-02
- Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Best iPhone & iPod touch apps
- It's that time of the year again! It's hard to believe, but this time last year, we only had 5,000 apps to choose from in the App Store â€" this year there's more than 85,000 apps to choose from. What a difference a year makes. Whether you're looking...
- Blog posts 2009-11-01
- Corner of Bar vs Corner of Library: The Twitter Conundrum
- On the eve of a couple of international Enterprise 2.0 Conferences, I'm revisiting in this post a core concept about the fundamental dichotomy of behavioral patterns around marketing people and business operations people. As a general rule the people running the strategy and...
- Blog posts 2009-11-01
- Smart Diary Suite 4.4.5 (Windows)
- Smart Diary Suite is more than a simple Diary or a Personal Information Manager PIM. You can plot your exercise program against your diary of health notes and see how they interact. Add information about changes in your diet and see how these changes have affected your health and activity...
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- ComicBookLover 1.3 build 905 (Mac)
- ComicBookLover enables you to easily view, collect and organise digital comics. Find comics by browsing cover art. Create smart lists. Edit information quickly. View comics with an Apple Remote in full-screen mode, on laptops and external displays. Supports CBZ, CBR and PDF comic archives. View Comics Read in...
- Software downloads 2009-10-31
- Business Week: 1.4 million Google Voice users, global push in the works
- In documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Google said it had more than 1.4 million Google Voice users - with some 570,000 using the service seven days a week - and hinted that it has plans to expand the service, or possibly elements of it, beyond the U.S. ...
- Blog posts 2009-10-30
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