You know there is an abundance of documents, images, files and other types of information available on the internet. They can be viewed, downloaded, saved, printed, and shared with others. However, just because information is on the Internet doesn't make it factual. In researching sources to create this site, I came across a wealth of misinformation and just plain "fantastic" sites. Books and articles also have their share of published misinformation, publications by von Daniken are a prime example.
Although Information on the Internet doesn't have physical form, it can be very entertaining and informative. For instance, when visiting the PBS Nova site you can wander the chambers and passageways of the Pyramid of Khufu. Books and articles have limitations when it comes to taking an interactive virtual tour of an archaeological site, your imagination comes in handy. Unless you utilize an ebook online, most online sites only give a generalization of information available on a subject, whereas, books and articles provide more in depth information.
Knowledge of subject material is ever changing, which makes the publication date of the information important. Finding the published date of the data on an Internet site can be a challenge. Which makes you wonder if the information is current or still valid. There is no guess work when it comes to hardcopy, most books or articles list the date it published.
Limitations exist when it comes to having a book or article published, not just anyone can accomplish this task. The strength of the World Wide Web comes from the diversity of its user population because there is no central control and because there is two-way access. As this class activity has shown, anyone can receive information and anyone can produce it. |
