1. Do this exercise in teams if possible

2. Find as many examples of the following information transmittal systems as you can in the TESC Library. You may use drawings or photographs, etc. found in other sources, not necessarily the actual items.

3. Formulate two lists: One of advantages, one disadvantages for the information systems you have located, in regard to their: (Rate on a 1-5 scale with 1 being easy - 5 great difficulty)

*ease of information transfer to user

*physical handling characteristics (hardiness or delicacy, ease of use, convenience)

*ability to be cataloged with or without equipment required for information transfer

*psychological/aesthetic appeal to users

Oral (Bards, storytellers, etc)

Bark

Leather

Clay Tablets

Papyrus sheets

Papyrus scrolls

Parchment sheets

Parchment scrolls

Codex - parchment manuscripts

Codex - paper manuscripts

Print

Printed sheet

Newspaper

Codex - printed

Microforms (microcard; Microfilm, Microfiche on silver halide, vesicular, or )

Phonograph records

Acetate

Vinyl

Magnetic wire recordings

Reel to Reel tape

Audiocassette

Eight track tape

Compact Discs

DVD
 

Other:

Film (Nitrate, Acetate, Polyester)

Movie films

Negatives

Photographs (Silver Halide)

Architectural renderings

Maps

Computer files (including CD-Rom, virtual documents, graphics, etc.)

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4. Questions: Based on your two lists, why have some of these methods for information transfer been abandoned? Why do some continue to be used though they may seem destined for obsolescence?