Volume 5 Number 1
2002
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Toward a Systemic Notion of Information: Practical Consequences

Nagib Callaos & Belkis Callaos
Universidad Simon Bolivar, Venezuela

       Our main purpose in this paper is to start a process of a systemic definition of the notion of information and to provide some initial practical consequences of it. We will try to do that providing: 1) a conceptual definition, following Ackoff’s (1962) description and method of such a kind of definition, and 2) following Peirce’s (1931-5,1958) conception of “meaning”, where the practical consequences should be included. To our knowledge, no attempt has been done up to the present neither to find a Peircean meaning to the notion of information, nor to start a process of describing a systemic notion of information. Consequently, we will try to integrate the different definitions made on information. But to integrate we should first differentiate what is to be integrated. Thus, we will typify information conceptions in subjective and objective, providing brief description and analysis of each type, integrating them in the context of a systemic notion of information, and drawing the respective pragmatic consequences, as required by Peirce, for any meaning description, and by a pragmatic-teleological systemic epistemology (Churchmann, 1971)

Keywords: Information Meaning, Pragmatic Meaning, Systemic Definition, Information Systems, Informing Sciences.

Web-enabled Information and Referral Services: A Framework for Analysis

Mary Helen Fagan
University of Texas at Tyler, Texas, USA

Information & Referral (I&R) services help people obtain relevant and accurate information to meet specific needs. The provision of traditional I&R services by skilled specialists is being augmented by web-enabled I&R services, raising a number of issues and opportunities. First, this paper analyzes the literature on I&R services in order to understand key issues and common practices in the development of I&R services. Then a framework is presented that explores two key dimensions of I&R services: the communities of interest and communities of place that they serve. This I&R community analysis framework is illustrated with a number of mini-case studies, and conclusions are drawn regarding how it may be applied. The findings of this study should be of interest to many organizations that want to use the web to make information readily accessible to the people they serve.

Keywords: Information & Referral, Community of Place, Community of Interest, Community Networks

Data Security Management in Distributed Computer Systems

Adi Armoni
Tel-Aviv University, Israel

This research deals with data security management in distributed and client/server computer systems, placing special emphasis on access security. The paper presents the subject of data security management in these systems by describing them, examining their vulnerable points and presenting adequate solutions. The paper includes a survey on the subject of authorization, authentication, encryption and access control - the main components in data security management of distributed systems.

In addition to a survey and analysis of data security management aspects, a plan of an access security system based on client/server architecture is presented, which may be combined with applications requiring access security services. The model describes the access security server and the interface for access security which is combined with the application and constitutes the client portion.

Unlike research carried out to date which mainly integrates existing techniques and approaches (White 1999, Burlesson 1998, Guynes 2000), this research offers an innovative approach on the subject of data security management through the development of a unique access security model. Furthermore, in view of the increasing importance and intensive use of data security management technology, and the special attention paid to the various aspects connected with data security management, this research is of special  importance from the theoretical and applicative points of view.

Keywords: distributed systems, security management, access security, layered design.

Electronic Commerce: A Taxing Dilemma

Steven John Simon
Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, USA

 In the last five years, remote selling-led by online organizations - has surged. The resulting growth has created concern among both traditional and remote sellers as they jockey for improved competitive position and governmental entities, in particular US states, over the erosion of their tax revenues as sales are diverted to remote sellers. This paper explores the issues and potential solutions surrounding the e-commerce tax dilemma. It provides a current assessment of the taxation environment for individuals and organizations impacted by the tax debate. Those individuals and organizations might include online business customers, remote sellers both traditional (mail order) and online, tax equity organizations, and governmental bodies. Current tax obligations are explored based on landmark legal decisions. Potential short and long -term solutions are assessed.

Keywords: Electronic Commerce, Taxation, Value Added Tax