Networked information retrieval and organization: Issues and questions

The creation of guides to resources on the Internet specific to particular subjects have raised a number of interesting questions and issues. These issues fall into two broad categories: The Internet environment (its culture, virtual communities and netiquette; agency and authority; the nature of “publication;” the importance and lack of standards; and searching tools and processes) and the process of guide construction (the importance of people; the nature of “resources” on the Net; intellectual property; levels of connectivity; and time). Some conclusions are drawn regarding the future and evolution of information professions in this environment.