The findable information environment

Abstract

The importance of findability is often not appreciated enough, or it is limited to search solutions. Caring for findability is a task for information architecture, which is a relatively new field, the boundaries of which can be defined differently. In any case, differing social contexts and mental models of user behaviour have to be given attention to. The rule of the least effort and satisficing are important influencing factors in this. Information architecture also has to take into consideration that the tools of web 2.0 allow everyone to produce information. Spatial issues are also deserve interest. Even though searching is not a solution to all information-related problems, it deserves attention, at least because most user expect searching to be readily available. There is also a relationship between information architecture, information overload and information literacy. We have to strive for a findable information environment in our personal information management, ease well.