Starting point
The starting point - the basis for this model - is the concept of the "something".
With this concept it is possible, at a very high level of abstraction, to reveal the basic
elements of an event or activity with its additional determining characteristics.
Each event or activity has an element of time; there is always a starting point and an
endpoint. Both the beginning and the end are fixed (as a rule). It is also possible that
an event has started or ended unnoticed. In that case a begin or an end can be
defined on the go. In addition, associated with it there are one or more actors in
human or other form like computers or machines. The "something" delivers,
whether or not there will be a result. Also within an event or activity information
is received, processed and sent.
Because of the starting and
endpoint and because of the
steps taken in between
(including the expected
results), one could say this
"something" behaves like a
process. On a certain level of
abstraction, one could even
say that every activity behaves
like a process, whether it is a
real process, a project or
another kind of action and
can be approached like an
object or an entity.
In its essence the "something" is a representation of a constant undercurrent and
can be described as an object. As undercurrent it is generic and, and it is also possible
to show the minimal imperative components which make a "something" up, and in
a generic way to describe its components like context, information objects and the
activity. The process of adding metadata to those objects is implicitly executed by
everyone in one way or another, but it is for sure recognisable for an archivist,
because description is a very substantial part of his profession.
This "something" is for me a starting point of view to answer questions about
information- and records management in my organisation. Because everything
behaves like a process, for me also organisations, organisational entities, board
governors, management boards even individual members of staff fit in this generic
concept. Although sometimes there is a great difference in nature they are all
temporarily because the start or begin at some moment and will also at some given
time stop or expire.
An everyday example
The concept of the "something" can be outlined by using an example outside the
comfort zone of an archivist. The example is about what I call the activity of
refuelling a car. Imagine you are driving your car and on a given moment the
BESif
Itesflir
E
I r
fiïr&w110*4
ttfOu'T
rienk jonker a perfect match? connecting partners in the labyrinth of information
dashboard signals that the fuel tank is almost empty. It must be filled immediately,
otherwise you will end up on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. The
signal is clear, and it cannot be ignored either.
To stay out of trouble, the wisest thing to do is to go to the closest petrol station.
If time is available you could also choose to go to your favourite station, or the
cheapest station, it is your personal choice. Before you can start refuelling, some
things must be settled first. For example, you must park the car at a pump that has
the right kind of fuel. You also want to find the tank opening on the right side of the
pump. In this way, juggling the hose is not necessary.
Once you have parked, you
must execute the start of a
financial transaction. The
supplier wants to get paid.
This transaction begins
with your debit card. You'll
have to give the vendor
permission (through the
console) to debit the due
amount from your account
after fuelling. Via the same
console, you can indicate
what kind of fuel you need.
The console tells you which
pump you must use. After
removing the debit card,
you can refill the tank. The pump display informs you about the progress of the
fuelling in terms of volume (litres) and the amount of money due at that moment.
This comes in handy for motorists who only like to pay for ten Euros or ten litres at
a time. With the information on the display you know when to stop refuelling. In
most cases it is simple; people fill up the whole tank. Most people pay more attention
to the hose and the tank opening than to the display.
archives in liquid times
Figure 1. The "something"
76
Figure 2. Information object (gauge) Figure 3. Activity - (re)fuelling a car
Figure 4. Information object (display)
77