DATA STRUCTURES OF INFORMATION

Consider the information already known. Then organize that information in a data structure.
I’m not talking about document organization in general: What is to be organized are topics to be
searched! Sure, the internet search may be performed in the framework of a project, which has its own
organization, but organization of search topics is parallel yet different from the existing document’s
organization. Organization of the existing is not the subject of this study, and should be handled
separately.
Unless the search objective is obtaining a simple answer, the subject to be searched may be
chunked down to a main topic, auxiliary topics and relevant topics, together with subtopics of each.
Certainly, the depth of detailing depends on the volume of information on the subject that is already
known. If nothing is known about the subject except its definition, then chunking down would not be
possible. It all depends on how much is already known about the subject to be searched. Some
searches may even start by finding the meaning of a word only, as if finding an answer would suffice
to fulfil the search objective, but then turns out to be a search project with many subdivisions.
Already known information can be organized around a main topic which would generate
subtopics. Subtopics can be expanded to more subtopics as much as needed, which form chapters,
sections and subsections of the library document to be created later. The highest level subsections
includes the main bulk of information, whereas the lowest level chapters may include introductory
information only_but that is not a general rule.
Information is organized in a data structure that consists of information modules. An information
module is a piece of information that contains correlated, consistent, integrated data so as to form a
whole toward stating a definite part of a thought or fulfilling thoroughly a designated function. It can
be as small as a paragraph_even a sentence_ or an entire volume. It may have several submodules
extending to higher levels. Each box in the chart below, which is in tree structure, is a information
module.

The number of modules, as well as amount of presented information, in such a document is

inversely proportional to the knowledge at hand. Research performed through any means increases the
number of subtopics, as well as information contained by the document, provided that the research is
fruitful.
The search output is usually same as the main topic such as “how to connect a satellite
receiver to a TV set”, but another purpose like “build your own PC” has no main topic if the searcher
has basic knowledge on how to buil a PC. In that case, the search work involves searching for the
latest models and prices of all components of a PC only, which is an assembly of minor subtopics
without a distinctive main topic. On the other hand, if the searcher has no idea about how a PC is built,
then “how to build a PC” could be the main topic and individual components of the PC would be
subtopics. After all, there is no need to define a main topic; just the targeted end and a set of topics
that are_ or considered as_ related are the essential parameters that should be defined and organized
well.
Real word documentation/problems/questions and corresponding internet search sometimes go
in parallel and sometimes need one another to complement and expand each other, depending on the
complexity and nature of the purpose of the search. For example, as in the case of GTT, there is a
structure of research formed independently from any internet search, and the internet search follows
that pattern. On the other hand, as in the case for watching TV in the PC room, the internet search
complements the course of the research because, although there exists a pre-structure in the mind, it
needs excessive information to be complete. Further yet, as in the case for the research for empath or
home business, the internet search directly creates the data structure, for there is no knowledge at hand
to create a database template. In that case, the structure can be created by making use of the
information obtained through the Internet.

THE FLEET CONCEPT

Alongside the main topic of a search, there may be auxiliary and relevant topics, each of
which has its own organization scheme. They are not parts of the main topic, but necessary such that
auxiliary topics complement the data to be provided by the main topic, and relevant topics broaden the
scope of the main topic to make it more useful. A relevant topic is usually evoked by the main topic.
For instance, if the main topic is “satellite receivers”, then cabling to connect them to TV set, such as
RCA connectors, is an auxiliary topic. TV cards that may optionally be connected between a monitor
and a satellite receiver constitute a relevant topic. However, if the TV cards is the main topic, then the
evoked topic of “satellite receivers” is a relevant topic. Furthermore, if it turns out that the present
satellite receiver is not suitable to operate with the modern TV cards, then “satellite receivers”
becomes an auxiliary topic. “Digital satellite receivers” is a subtopic of the main topic “Satellite
receivers”. Relevant topics can be searched in separate search sessions, but auxiliary topics usually
cannot, because development of the main topic during the search depends on the complementary
information to be supplied by auxiliary topics.
In fact, main, auxiliary and relevant topic concepts do not have mathematically precise
definitons, so, their distinction may not always be possible. Besides, such a definition scheme is
relative by nature. Hence, it would be a better idea to define auxiliary and relevant topics as
“companion topics”. Still, during the course of the search, even distinction among the main topic and
companion topics could get vague. In addition to the ambiguity in definition, no main topic may exist,
as in the case of the search for prices and new models of PC parts, which constitutes several
independent peers without a main subject.
The “fleet” concept eliminates the ambiguity in defining main, auxiliary and relevant topics.
In general, a set of pieces of information, topics, titles, concepts or ideas that are related or seemed/
believed/ considered to be related in any way around a main subject, idea or message, and intend to
make a designated statement is a fleet. The difference from a mind map is that the relation of elements
of a fleet does not have to be in a well-defined tree structure. Not even relations have to be defined;
complying with the main idea, subject, purpose, etc. suffice to be an element of the fleet.
A fleet whose elements are specifically information modules is an information fleet. Any
document is organized in an information fleet structure. The information modules in an information
fleet are related around the search purpose only; topics that are related but that are beyond that scope
are not a part of the information fleet.
A search fleet consists of elements that require internet search. Unlike the information fleet,
elements of a search fleet are not pieces of information (information modules) but titles, topics to be
searched; they do not intend to make any statement or give any message. Search fleet topics, just like
information fleet elements, are organized around a specific purpose that is expected to be fulfilled
through internet search. Hence, topics that are related beyond the scope of the pre-defined purpose are
not part of the search fleet. In fact, the topics in a search fleet are void information modules of an
information fleet with titles only, which are to be populated through internet search.
A fleet may have any structure such as tree, network or cloud, or a total or partial combination
of all those. If there is an apparent main topic, then it is the “admiral” or “flag ship” of the fleet,
analogous to a real navy fleet, which is organized around an aircraft carrier as the flag ship. The
shorter term “vessel” can be used instead of “fleet element”, such as “search vessel” instead of “search
fleet element”. Since search vessels are actually topics and nothing else, “search topic” can also be
used. Distinction of the main, auxiliary and relevant topics no longer matters in a fleet because, first
of all, a fleet is a set of topics. Such a distinction sure, may bepresent in a fleet, as well as hierarchical
relations of its elements, and that may also be very useful for the search work, yet that is not required
for definition of the fleet.
Fleet Structures:
Tree: Parent of each subtopic, as well as the relation of the purpose and companion topics are
well-defined.
Network: Relations among several companion topics and a possible main topic are well
defined in a mesh structure, so they form a network around the purpose.
Cloud: There is certainly a purpose around which the fleet has been built. Elements of the fleet are
well-defined, too, but their relations are not clear. The only certain thing about a cloud is it has well-
defined elements that form a well-defined set of topics.