The information object is just a container with the required information in
structured form. The activity or act is a dynamic element that at the functional level
processes and exchanges information within its context by using information
objects. This involves exchanging information via one or more inbound (receive)
and outbound connectors (send) with other activities. These other activities are
again part of their particular context and information objects.
These three elements must be considered as an indivisible unit like a trinity. Together
they make up meaningful information (MI). If one or two of the three elements are
missing, there can be no meaningful information. If that occurs, the information is
meaningless and therefore no more than useless data. These data may, of course,
become meaningful by adding the missing elements artificially. Consequently, a new
version is created. This new version constitutes a view of the original situation but is
a reconstruction, and the information can therefore never be interpreted the same
way as the original.
By means of following up the connectors that are part of the activity it is possible to
make up a chain of meaningful information. This chain is an independent set of
meaningful information. It can be compared to chemical elements that are bound
together and make a chain to become a new chemical element.
The context
Context is about coherence in which notions, elements or concepts are intertwined,
interwoven or connected. From its Latin origin, the verb cotexo, comes the meaning
of interweaving and connecting. In the processing of information, context concerns
the setting in which information is generated and used. Context is a concept that is
at the essence of an archivist's discipline and therefore an important part of his field
of study. Context is the essential element in understanding information and in the
existence of information. Parts of that context are the objects in which information
is included and the activities in which the information and information objects are
processed.
There are many types of contexts to be considered. At first, a distinction can be made
between primary and secondary context. Primary context is the context in which
the information is originated or received. Context is secondary when already
existing information is reused, so it is a use outside of the primary context of origin.
Secondarily, context implies a point of view or perspective. A viewpoint determines
in which way or with what purpose information is looked at. Also, it is the way the
information is interpreted and appraised. There are infinite possibilities in this
regard with for instance legal, spatial, economic, biological and theological and
other professional views. All perspectives that can be intertwined with
organisational and processual contexts.
It should be taken into consideration that use and reuse of information is never
neutral or impartial. Even though it is often denied, there is always a subjective
element present, namely the personal context, the insights of the person using the
information. These insights are the results of upbringing, education, social position,
and someone's own opinions and beliefs.
rienk jonker a perfect match? connecting partners in the labyrinth of information
Moreover, it should not be forgotten that all these types of contexts or perspectives
can also be found in the way in which devices and algorithms process information.
Because they are the products of thoughts, ideas and opinions that originate from
the various contexts.
In the model described above, the word context is used to describe or even define the
connection between information objects and activities in a somewhat formal sense
in order to understand the desired interrelationship. It is about the primary context.
This primary context consists of nine basic mandatory elements. The relation
between these elements can be described in a semantic way. An activity only starts
with a warrant or trigger. This activity will be an assignment executed by one or more
actors (both humans and machines). The actors work in the environment or
domain of a process, project or other kind of activity. Each activity has a result or
product. It is possible that there is no result, but then the result is the 'non-result'.
Information is processed by using functionalities, this information is recorded in
information objects. Techniques deliver many functionalities to use, manage and
preserve information objects. The context defines and describes both the activity
and the information object.
In contrast with some archival standards, in this model an actor is not a separate entity
with its own characteristics, but it is deliberately part of the context. The reason is simple.
An actor, be it human or non-human, is just a passer-by in the in a continuum of time
where information is at the centre. Only moment and place determine its role as
participant or spectator.
The reason or warrant for the activity refuelling was the warning of the gauge.
Refuelling the car became the assignment. As a driver I was one of the actors.
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Element
Meaning
1) Warrant
The reason or assignment why information is processed.
2) Assignment
The elaboration of the warrant in terms of an activity or transaction.
3) Actor
Who are involved with the assignment and the information processing.
This can be both humans and machines.
4) Domain
The kind of work context in which the assignment is executed.
5) Result
What kind of result, products or conclusions are to be expected or not.
6) Functionality
What is allowed, what is possible for the different types of actors.
7) Data/Information
What type of information is processed,
Personal, subject, object, financial, geographic, juridical etc.
8) Information object
How is the information captured, structured and shaped.
9) Technology
What technical tools and instruments are available or needed to process and
preserve the information and information objects.
Table 1. Context - Elements
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