The Digital Information Consumer

Abstract

Recalls that when online searching by non specialists began, information professionals showed amazing hostility towards early end user recruits. Now the newly enfranchised general public's use of digital information has changed remarkably, and Ciber (City University Centre for Information Behaviour and Evaluation of Research) has been studying three optional digital platforms from which users can choose: touch screen kiosk, Web and digital interactive television. Explores the characteristics of the new digital customer, including their number, personal profile, short attention span, and novice retrieval methods. Notes also the power shift from information provider to information consumer.