This thesis presents a view of the situation of Information and Communications Technology Planning (ICTP) from the perspective of Critical Systems Thinking (CST). Nowadays with the increasing use of information and communications technologies and the possibilities of management of information, organisations and people in general focus attention on the planning of these technologies. Such type of planning has been often understood as a process that aims to get competitive advantage through the use of information and ensure that it will contribute to the improvement of the way of life of societies. The outcomes in different countries and problems encountered make necessary to explore the possibility of an alternative view in planning that could be more inclusive and participative regarding people involved and affected by this process. In this thesis such a view is defined as 'strategic'. It considers that different groups of people have different concerns that are necessary to address. By using a combination between the systems theories of Autopoiesis and boundary critique, the strategic view is presented. It opens the possibility of including different groups of people and their concerns, as well as debating the consequences of addressing some of these concerns in action. Concerns are viewed as system boundaries. A methodological approach to support a process of ICTP is defined from the strategic view. This approach was used to intervene at Javeriana University in Colombia in a project called "Exploring possible roles for information technologies at Javeriana University" from March to July 1999. Reflections about this project lead the author to propose enriching the strategic view with an understanding of the issue of ethics in the practice of ICTP and in the improvement of the way of life of individual and collective subjects. The ideas of power and ethics from Michel Foucault are used to enrich the strategic view of planning and to enhance critique on the ethics fostered by practitioners. This critique fosters also continuous awareness about the life projects of practitioners and of individuals in general, as a proposal to improve their way of life in the development of the information society.

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Ziel der Studie ist die Konzeptionierung eines webbasierten Informationsangebotes für das LSI-NRW / Japonicum. Zunächst wird das LSI mit seinen Teilinstituten und seinem satzungsgemäßen Auftrag vorgestellt. Es folgt die Eruierung der Zielgruppen des Japonicums und das Herausarbeiten des speziellen Informationsbedarfs. Danach wird Form und Ausführung des Internetauftritts durchdacht. Der Schwerpunkt der Studie liegt in der Analyse der aktuellen Diskussion um Portalkonzepte und Personalisierung, welche die theoretische Grundlage für den sich anschließenden Entwurf eines qualitativ hochwertigen Webangebots bildet. Um dabei das Generieren einer digitalen Dublette zu vermeiden, erfolgt eine Evaluierung der WWWInformationsangebote der deutschen universitären Japanologien. Im Anschluss werden Eckdaten für die konkrete Gestaltung der Website nach inhaltlichen und formalen Gesichtspunkten erarbeitet und somit weitere Kriterien für die erste Umsetzung in Form einer Linksammlung zusammengetragen. Abschließend wird die Integration weiterer Dienstleistungen skizziert, um mittelfristig die gesamte Funktionalität eines Internetportals zu erreichen.

This research is concerned with the retrieval of visual or pictorial information from videodisc databases. Videodisc technology has made automated storage and retrieval of high quality visual information possible. A problem is that traditional keyword or text access to pictorial information may be inappropriate if the type of information sought cannot be readily described in words. An answer may be to encourage visual searching or browsing. The challenge lies in creating flexible retrieval systems which will both maximise search efficiency and accommodate the individual user. An experimental retrieval environment was developed to examine visual information search strategies. This system allowed for three search types: keyword search, specific browsing, and scanning. Over two experiments visual information search and browsing strategies were identified and characterised: seeking, focused exploring, open exploring, and wandering. In addition, five factors which influence visual information search strategies were identified: the nature of the information itself, database structure, the task or information need, the user, and the interface. This research combines elements of information retrieval and human factors to point to ways in which visual information retrieval systems can be developed which will meet the needs of their users. System design must take account of individual search behaviour and utilise knowledge of the factors which influence user interaction with the system in the search and retrieval process.

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Digital preservation may be defined as the cumulative actions undertaken by an organisation or individual to ensure that digital content is usable across generations of information technology. As technological change occurs, the digital preservation community must detect relevant technology developments, determine their implications for preserving digital content, and develop timely and appropriate responses to take full advantage of progress and minimize obsolescence. This thesis discusses the results of an investigation of technology responsiveness for digital preservation. The research produced a technology response model that defines the roles, functions, and content component for technology responsiveness. The model built on the results of an exploration of the nature and meaning of technological change and an evaluation of existing technology responses that might be adapted for digital preservation. The development of the model followed the six-step process defined by constructive research methodology, an approach that is most commonly used in information technology research and that is extensible to digital preservation research. This thesis defines the term technology responsiveness as the ability to develop continually effective responses to ongoing technological change through iterative monitoring, assessment, and response using the technology response model for digital preservation.

This thesis is concerned with the use of prototyping during the development of information systems. Prototyping is a process which involves early practical demonstration of relevant parts of the desired system. This is carried out with a view to improving both the quality and timeliness of the target system. The quality of an information system is largely determined by its adequacy as a tool for human users. Prototyping serves to enhance the communication between developers and users, and through this to increase the suitability of the resulting information system. An investigation into the traditional phase oriented approach to systems development reveals that in certain circumstances it can result in incorrect or at best disappointing systems. The prototyping approach is examined as a possible alternative. Particular attention is paid to its use with respect to typical characteristics of information systems. This is followed by an investigation into all aspects of prototyping. One aspect, that of the construction of prototypes, is dealt with separately and includes an examination of a variety of tools and techniques. Three of these approaches form part of an experiment in building prototypes. Each method is used to build prototypes of the same system. This provides the opportunity to compare approaches in terms of time, cost, and ease of maintenance, with the existing system. Prototyping is used during the development of a genuine system in a commercial environment. Special consideration is given to both the organisation and the control of prototyping. This project is closely monitored and documented in detail. In conclusion, recommendations are made concerning the use of prototyping during information systems development. Further research areas are also highlighted.

WILLIAM PICKERING, (1796-1854), ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLER., PUBLISHER, AND BOOK DESIGNER: A STUDY IN THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY BOOK-TRADE. By James M. McDonnell This study is the first systematic and detailed examination of the life and career of William Pickering. Pickering was chosen as a subject because he can be regarded as a transitional figure. In a period when the specialist publisher was coming to the fore, and bookselling and publishing were tending to become quite separate occupations, Pickering's combination of rare-book dealing and publishing was a continuation of eighteenth century practices into the 1850s. On the other hand Pickering's invention of cloth binding for books, his creation of a personal publishing style, his achievements as a book designer, and his involvement with the movement to lower book prices, are all innovatory traits. The study argues that Pickering's conservative and innovatory tendencies can best be understood as a response to particular social and economic conditions. It investigates Pickering's perception of and relation to his public, his authors, and his printer (Charles Whittingham the Younger) and financial backer (John Joseph Thornthwaite). It also examines Pickering's awareness of the financial and economic conditions which constrained his business. The argument is based upon an extensive and thorough study of Pickering Is extant correspondence, and upon those papers relating to his business which have been preserved. The most important primary source has been the printing ledgers of the Chiswick Press.