INFORMATICS studies the application of information technology to practically any field, while considering its impact on individuals, organizations, and society. It uses computation as a universal tool to solve problems in other fields, to communicate, and to express ideas.
The ability to handle vast amounts of information cheaply has changed the way we live. Advances in computing power, the World Wide Web, search engines, and large-scale collaborative initiatives like Wikipedia have revolutionized the way knowledge is created and shared. We have new forms of social interaction — from email, IM, and blogs to eBay, Facebook, and YouTube — and collaborative art and entertainment — from Limewire and podcasts to Guitar Hero and Second Life.
Information technology (IT) has become a ubiquitous, indispensable component of our everyday lives, helping — or hindering — us as we manage information, create knowledge, and make decisions.
INFORMATICS TOPICS
Collaboration – wikis, Wikipedia, genome projects
Social – email, IM, blogs, Facebook, Twitter
Art – animation, virtual reality, electronic music
Entertainment – podcasts, games, YouTube, iTunes
Ethics – Privacy, downloading of digital content
Communication – Web, user interfaces, wireless
Data – Pattern analysis, data mining, visualization, simulation, search
GIS – Google Earth, mapping, location-aware applications
Business – eCommerce, eBay, PayPal, targeted advertising