Information styles Flashcards
(12 cards)
Text?
A written/typed format of information. Provides detailed summaries and explanations. Format of text can be changed to suit it’s purpose. Can be written in different languages so all literate people can understand. Large amounts of text can be difficult + time consuming to read. Less engaging. May include spelling errors or be factually incorrect.
Graphics?
Visual form of information. Logos + photographs. Graphics are multilingual (can be understood by everyone). Can present an idea or message immediately + use associations (red=anger). More engaging. But images may take LONGER to LOAD. Images in an email may not be automatically downloaded.
Video?
Visual formats of information often with audio. More engaging + easier to follow. Convey a message in short time. Audio (music) can be added for engagement or narration to explain a process. But videos take a LARGE AMOUNT of STORAGE SPACE. May take time to upload/download/transfer along a network. Take a long time to make (filming, editing, narration).
Animated graphics?
Images with multiple frames. Can be used to show a PROCESS + easier to understand than reading text. Understood by all ages + language speakers. Takes TIME to create.
Numerical?
Info represented by numbers. Statistics and financial data. Statistical data is easier to understand in numerical format than text. Numerical data can be exported into spreadsheets + presented as graphs to visualise data. But long numbers can be typed up incorrectly by humans which leads to incorrect results. Formatted data (telephone numbers) can’t be stored as numerical as numerical doesn’t allow SPACES and doesn’t allow the number to start with 0.
Audio?
Information type using SOUND WAVES. Music and podcasts. Users LISTEN when they are busy and can’t read (driving). Visually impaired users can still hear and interact with voice recognition software. Some people prefer listening over reading. But may not be suitable in noisy areas. Words can be misheard and can cause misunderstandings due to accent or pronunciation.
Tactile images?
Physical information that can be INTERPRETED by TOUCH. Raised lines people experience by touching. Geographers can create 3D physical objects of environments for users for better understanding. Visually impaired users can still feel the object. Can be used as a prototype for target audience to feel + comment on. But its difficult to share without physically moving it and requires specialist equipment like a 3D printer.
Subtitles?
Textual form of information that can be shows with visual data like videos. They transcribe audio into words. Hearing impaired users can still access audio information formats by reading subtitles. Can be used in noisy environments. Useful for translated speech such as in promotional videos or TV programmes. But, because they are AUTO-GENERATED they are often incorrect. Subtitles written by humans can take a long time to type up and sync with the audio.
Tables and spreadsheets?
Store numerical and textual data ready for analysis. Financial spreadsheets of a company’s profits this year. Records can be locked (RL) so only 1 person can make edits at 1 time + stops data from being overwritten + ensures data is up-to-date, accurate + fit for purpose. SS can be linked to other documents like forms to directly import data from.
Braille?
example of tactile image that can be physically touched. B characters represent letters and numbers that can be ‘read’ by touch. Primarily used for visually impaired users. B terminals convert characters on screen into braille, line by line so blind people can understand info by touch. Braille printer can print documents using braille to give to VIU. Allows VIU to interact with computer system using BT. But BT can only display limited information at a time. Not used by many people except VIU so few resources are written using B.
Charts and Graphs?
Used to present numerical data in format that is easier to visualise + understand. Can be LABELLED to show different data values and easier for users to identify trends + make comparisons. C+G can summarise info into one image that would take paragraphs to explain in text. But C can be misleading or can display incorrect info if numerical data is wrong.
Boolean?
Data type with only one of two specified values. Commonly ‘true’ or ‘false’ or ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
