Klaus Brunnstein - Böcker

Past, Present and Future of Research in the Information Society examines the role of research and the production of knowledge in the information society, with special emphasis on developing areas of the world.Past, Present and Future of Research in the Information Society is based on a three day conference that immediately precedes the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), in Tunisia (November 2005). Core issues of the conference lie at the intersection of computer science and engineering, information and communication technologies, the world wide web and development.Past, Present and Future of Research in the Information Society is designed for a professional audience, composed of researchers and practitioners in industry. This book is also suitable for graduate-level students in computer science, engineering and sociology.

This major reference work represents the first attempt to confront, on a world-wide basis, the way computer associations face up to their own responsibilities in an age increasingly dominated by information and communication technology. The book deals with the codes of ethics and conduct, and related issues. It is the first book to deal with homogenous codes namely codes of national computer societies. Some thirty codes are compared and analysed in depth. To put these into perspective, there are discussion papers covering the methodological, philosophical and organisational issues.

The developments of information and communication technologies (ICT) are not always continuous, but may be influenced and shaped by unforeseen events and are therefore difficult to predict and control. This applies especially to the events of September 11 2001 and how ICT is used in economic and public applications. But even under pressures of terrorist actions, it is essential that human choice dominate how information and communication technologies are shaped, applied and used. This text presents different views about how terrorist actions are influencing political and social discussions and decisions, and it covers questions related to legitimacy and power in the information society. Ethical principles are important guidelines for responsible behaviour of IT professionals. But even under strong external pressure, long ranging aspects such as education and the roles of developing countries in the information society are important to discuss, especially to enable all to actively participate in information processes.

This book examines the role of research and the production of knowledge in the information society, with special emphasis on developing areas of the world. It contains cutting-edge technologies in the utilization of information technology for science and engineering.