Multiple Views on Filtering: Consumers, Producers and Filtering Technology Designers

information filtering We discuss the implications of information consumer and producer needs for the provider of basic filtering technology. To understand the consumer point of view, we outline seven different filtering goals that cover a wide variety of filtering questions, including obtaining an overview, identifying a trend, and finding a match between a prototype and an instantiation. We discuss three problems from the producer point of view: structuring information, disseminating information and selecting a medium in which to express information. Both the consumer and producer perspectives are illustrated by examples from the domains of clinical patient care, medical research, and industrial product development.