Useful information consists of correct data that has relevance and purpose. In addition to having the information, we need to realize its value and this requires analytical capabilities. It takes reflection and understanding to convert it into a body of knowledge. This leaves fundamental access decisions to the agency. The courts may provide further interpretation if the matter appears in litigation.
Court decisions involving computer records apply analogies with paper documents.
This implies a distinct boundary between what constitutes record and nonrecord material. It is much easier to apply this kind of functional definition than other distinctions, but it may be inappropriate. If someone takes this decision to its extreme, one could interpret it to mean that pushing a button to print a document constitutes new programming. In a time when government agencies store most of their data in machine-readable form, an interpretation such as the one just described could result in an information blackout. Citizens would receive little or no information because somebody has to press a few keys to retrieve it from the computer.