Digital information consumers, players and purchasers: information seeking behaviour in the new digital interactive environment

Sketches the key characteristics of the newly information enfranchised general public (the digital information consumers). Portrays the digital consumer as all-conquering/powerful, short on attention, promiscuous, untrusting and - above all - interested in speed of delivery. Argues for a fundamental re-think of the concept of the information "user". The Web, search engines etc. are creating a level-playing field and a homogeneity which results in academics behaving more like the general consumer and the general consumer behaving more like an academic. Considers the overall outcomes and benefits of information acquisition.