A commodity has following characteristics: see the corollary as well. It is priced and the price is a function of demand, supply, quality. Information can also be priced appropriately based on its quality. The raw information ( or data) can be either free or very low priced. However, as the refinement of the information takes on, the pricing can be on the higher side. The infrastructure and logistics are vital to commodity pricing. Same can be said abt the Information as well. The technology plays a decisive role in both the cases. Modern warehouses that ensures min wastage, proper transportation of perishable commodities, modern communication to channalise the commodity to need-based etc. Information vendors with good and powerful search facility ensures improved usage and consumption. Commodity trading improves with powerful marketing. Information needs marketing in terms of websites, word by mouth publicity, seminars and workshops, learning forums etc. Commodity delivery at the right time has the highest returns. Information provided at the critical time goes a long way in getting a life long support from the consumers. only major difference being that Information never ceases to exist even after it has been delivered. In fact it gets multiplied. -Manish Mankad Information Services Ext: 208/460 Tel: 022 28276208 Hindustan Lever research Centre B.D. Sawant Marg Andheri (E), Mumbai 400099 INDIA -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of shashi kumar Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2004 12:07 PM To: lis-forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Information commodity Dear Sir/Madam/Friends, In the context of "Information marketing" Information is considerd as a commodity. I want to know exactly how information as a commodity and how it applicable to Library and Information Science field. If you have any information about this issue please mail me. Thanking you, Shashikumar Dept. of Library and Information Science, University of Mysore mysore. Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partneronline.