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Re: [Air-l] networks
by Prof. Andrejevic 19 Sep '01

19 Sep '01

Has anyone else on this list been struck by the parallel between the current portrait of de-centralized terrorist networks emerging in the media coverage and the organizational logic of distributed computer networks? Certainly both forms of networking emerged with a similar goal in mind: a resiliance to the forms of centralized large-scale attacks characteristic of warfare in the first half of the 20th century. Redundancy and de-centralization are defensive structures whose effectiveness is demonstrated by the fact (reported yesterday, I think) that despite the destruction of something like 10 percent of Manhattan's office space, suprisingly little data was lost. In the face of this kind of distributed networking, the type of military response envisioned by Bush/Cheney et alia seems disturbingly out of joint. Just as we wouldn't imagine that we could take down a network by hitting a node, so too does the goal of "taking out" Osama bin Laden seem more symbolic than effective (to the effect that it works to proliferate cells of resistance, it might even be read as counter-productive). I'm wondering if there's some way to use the commonly accepted discourse on computer networking to shed some light on the current debate over the appropriate U.S. response to the recent acts of terrorism.

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Re: [Air-l] networks (re-send)
by Ted Friedman 19 Sep '01

19 Sep '01

What struck me most at Manuel Castell's talk at AOIR last year was his emphasis on examctly the opposite of this "distributed networking" happening with respect to business locations. Cities like SF and NYC, and regions like Silicon Valley, were growing denser and denser, just as the technologies they were developing seemed to promise to obliterate distance in time and space. As I remember, Castells concluded that there was some fundamental level of "human capital" that was necessary for the face-to-face engagement that's still at the core of even postmodern business deals. So, the more spread out the world gets, the more centalized these "nodes" must be, to serve the periphery. At the time, it seemed ironic, almost nostalgaic; now, it does seem doomed. I imagine corporate headquarters becoming the same kinds of paramilitary "gated communities" described in Mike Davis's City of Quartz and Neal Stephenson's Snowcrash. Of course, Castells also hyped the wonders of Cisco's business model, just before their stock tanked. Any other thoughts on how the attacks may change the geography of America? -- Ted Friedman, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Georgia State University (404) 463-9522 tedf(a)gsu.edu; ted(a)tedfriedman.com http://www.tedfriedman.com

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Re: Air-l networks
by Niels Ole Finnemann 19 Sep '01

19 Sep '01

At 18:01 +0200 on 19/09/01, air-l-request(a)aoir.org wrote: I would like to come in with a comment from far away: In air-l 117 Aldon Hayes wrote: »In neural networks, it is the network itself, and its connections that store the information and not the individual nodes«. and he continues making analogies to the human mind and the internet as well as to the supposed network of some terrorist groups. This sort of analogy is widespread, but are such analogies also useful? I believe them to be strongly misleading metaphors mainly for two reasons: First, because we really don't know <italic>how</italic> neural networks (supposed to performe the brain functions) relate to the processes of the human mind, ie: mental content, feelings, thoughts and production of, say, scientific theory. We only know that there seems to be some sort of relationship. Second, on the internet it seems to me that the content is always stored at individual nodes and never on the net. This is also the case even if the content is distributed among different nodes. Even the code allowing the fractional parts need to be stored on a node itself. On the internet information is always stored in a physical place which can be adressed. I would also doubt the assumption that the internet is of a kind that allows it to be »an organization having knowledge that the individuals don't have«. Humans may have knowledge and a group of humans may have knowledge that the indiciduals don't have. But the internet??? It reminds me of Wittgenstein saying that even if lions had a language we wouldn't be able to understand it. Maybe a useful network theory should be elaborated to include such important differences? Niels Ole Finnemann ******************************************************************************** Niels Ole Finnemann http://www.hum.au.dk/ckulturf/pages/php/finnemann.html Lektor, dr. phil. Leder af Center for Internetforskning, http://imv.au.dk/cfi/ Institut for Informations- og Medievidenskab Aarhus Universitet Niels Juelsgade 84 Mail: finnemann(a)imv.au.dk 8200 Århus N Tlf: Dir: 89 42 19 34 - Univ: 89 42 11 11

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a bunch of nominations
by Nancy Baym 19 Sep '01

19 Sep '01

Hello all, I want to nominate a number of people to run for open seats, secretary, treasurer, or for that matter any other position for which they would accept a nomination. First, Steve Jones has my whole-hearted support for a second term as president. Second, I am hoping to continue as vice president (and thanks Michel and David). Third, this is a probably incomplete listing of people that I know have made contributions to air-l and to air, whom I hope will consider running: - Charles Ess (chair of ethics working group) - John Logie (conference coordinator this year) - Laura Gurak (also working on this year's conference) - Ira Nayman (working on future conferences) - Monica Murero (working on future conferences) - Gil Rodman - Thom Swiss - Mia Consalvo (the previous 3 did lots of work on the first conference as well as other things) - David Silver - Reinhold Grether (those two have compiled magnificent databases of cyberstuff and I believe can do much to further this association) Other people who have chimed in with opinions or otherwise lent perspectives I think would be good to have on board: - Gitte Stald - Klaus Bruhn Jensen - Jonathan Sterne - Michel Menou - Nils Zurowski - Ulla Bunz Now I know that self-nominating can be embarrassing, but if I missed your name and you think you have something to offer, PLEASE nominate yourself, via email if you don't want to do it publically! If I have omitted your name, please don't take it as evidence that I don't think you'd be a good person to have on (the) board! Nancy

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campus debate on sept 11 available online
by Kate Williams 19 Sep '01

19 Sep '01

Of special interest to internet researchers -- Campus discussion has begun on Sept 11 and its aftermath. A new website presenting complete sound files, photos, text, and links regarding campus events and links to other voices: http://www.africa.utoledo.edu click on 911 Any campus discussion that is recorded, or a link to it, can be posted on this site. Contact the web team at abdul.alkalimat(a)utoledo.edu. - - - Kate Williams doctoral student, U-M School of Information research assistant, Alliance for Community Technology http://www.umich.edu/~katewill/

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conference
by jeremy hunsinger 18 Sep '01

18 Sep '01

> > >>Third Annual Global Information Technology Management World >>Conference, Long island, New York, USA, 23-25 June 2002 >> >>CALL FOR PAPERS FOR THE TRACK >> >>IT for Government and Developing countries >>Track Chair: Prof. Paul Licker >> >>(Please send the track chair at plicker(a)commerce.uct.ac.za an e-mail >>indicating your intent to submit a paper to this track) >> >>GLOBAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT (GITM) WORLD CONFERENCE >> >>FOR ALL "INTERNATIONAL" IS/IT RESEARCHERS, EDUCATORS AND >>PROFESSIONALS >>Dates: June 23, 24, 25, 2002 in New York, NY, USA >>http://www.uncg.edu/bae/isom/gitma/gitma3.htm >> >> >>SUBMISSION DEADLINE: November 15, 2001 (to be received by this date). >>Please submit directly to the Conference Chair: Prashant Palvia. For >>timely processing, we have an all-electronic review process. >>Therefore, an electronic submission is strongly recommended (email: >>pcpalvia(a)uncg.edu) If not possible, please mail 4 copies to the >>following address and make sure it arrives by the deadline. Please >>include your email address along with the submission. >> >>Dr. Prashant Palvia >>Joe Rosenthal Excellence Professor >>ISOM Department >>Bryan School of Business & Economics >>University of North Carolina - Greensboro >>Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA >>Email: pcpalvia(a)uncg.edu >>Ph: 336-334-5666 Fax: 336-334-4083 >>http://www.uncg.edu/bae/people/palvia/ >> >> >>TRACK DESCRIPTION: >> >>Information Technology has been employed by governments almost since >>its inception. Without IT, modern public administration as we know >>it would be impossible. Some say that even with IT, governments are >>out of control, oppressive, and inefficient. Clearly IT supports >>multinational, international and global systems that in a sense >>counter the traditional roles of governments of states. This track >>wishes to explore innovative, useful employment of IT in a variety of >>ways, with the emphasis on development, that is improvement, of the >>life of citizens and residents of countries, within a global context. >> >>We welcome papers that explore the usefulness of IT with regard not >>only to the daily functioning of government, but also to the >>redefinition of government in a post-modern era. The papers will >>explore the relationships among government, its citizens, and its >>clients (not all of whom are citizens or even residents). Because IT >>is seen as a low-cost effective way to modernize the processes of >>countries relegated to "third-world" status, it is critical to >>understand what kind of contribution IT and IT people can possibly >>make to that effort. If, indeed, social and economic development is >>seen as dependent on the development of democratic institutions in >>third-world countries, then what implication does the availability of >>IT have on this effort and hence on development? Even in presumably >>"developed" countries, there are pockets (and often whole regions) of >>poverty and ill-representation. Can IT assist here? And if so, how? >>What tools do we have available to evaluate the contribution of >>development to the administration of countries with long-standing -- >>sometimes endemic -- development contradictions such as tribal >>conflict, racial and linguistic disputes, disproportionate class >>differences, multiple economies, and geographic barriers to >>distribution? How do we integrate and rationalize national >>IT-assisted development efforts with potentially conflicting global >>trends, also driven by IT? How can IT assist the integration of >>third-world countries into first-world global projects in areas such >>as counteracting terrorism, promoting free trade, regulating global >>business, and encouraging world-wide justice? >> >>RECOMMENDED TOPICS >> >>Papers (completed or in-progress: about 20 double spaced >>pages), extended abstracts (completed or in-progress research: about >>4-6 pages), panel and workshop proposals (2-4 pages) dealing with (but >>not limited to) the following topics are invited. Please note the >>name of this track on the cover page. >> >>The following topics are recommended and encouraged, although any >>topic consistent with the goal of the session(s) will be considered >>with appreciation: >> >>Evaluation of the role of IT in national government >>Stresses and strains on government posed by the new media, the new >> technologies and the new economy >>Integration of national governments into global governmental >> systems. >>Marginalisation of third-world countries by IT and e-commerce >>Innovative uses of IT in national administration >>Using IT to promote democratic values and institutions IT-caused or >> ameliorated contradictions between national government and global >> systems >>International systems, local government, and IT >>Electronic government and its implications for developing countries >>IT-assisted development in already-developed countries >>The digital divide in the first world, second world, third world >>Geographical distribution of IT in third-world countries >> >> >>OTHER TRACKS: >> >>Please note that you may also submit to other Global IT tracks. >>Just note the name of the appropriate track on the cover (if no such >>track exists or you do not know the track name, simply state so on >>the cover page). In general, Global IT Management topics include >>(but are not limited to): >> >>IT in various countries and regions (e.g., Europe, Asia, Africa, >>Arab countries, North America, South & Central America, >>Australia); Development, evaluation & management of Global >>Information Systems (GIS); Electronic commerce; Internet and Web >>related issues; IT in multinational companies; Virtual and networked >>organizations; Cross-cultural issues; Impact of global IT on the >>organization; Information Resources Management; Frameworks/models for >>global IS (GIS); Societal impacts of IT in developing countries; IT >>and Economic Development; IT Diffusion in developing countries; IT >>human resource issues; DSS/EIS/ES in international settings; >>Organizational & Management structures for GIS; Transborder >>data flow issues; Electronic data interchange; Telecommunications; >>Distributed global databases and networks; Cultural and >>societal impacts; Comparative studies of nations; Applications and >>case studies (both research and educational). >> >>JOURNAL PUBLICATION: >> >>Papers recommended of high quality by the reviewers will be >>further considered for publication on an expedited basis in the >>Journal of Global Information Technology Management (JGITM) and the >>Journal of Information Technology Cases & Applications (JITCA). >> >>IMPORTANT DATES: >> >>Submission Deadline: November 15, 2001 (to be received by this >> date) >>Notification of Acceptance: December 15, 2001 >>Final Submission Due: January 31, 2002 >>Registration Deadline for authors (at least one author must >> register): February 15, 2002 >>Early Registration Deadline: April 30, 2002 (at least one author >> must register) >>Conference Dates: June 23, 24, 25, 2002 >> >>INQUIRIES: >> >>For additional information, please contact the conference chair, >>local chair, program co-chairs or the track chairs. >> >>Conference Chair: Prashant Palvia, University of North Carolina, >>Greensboro, USA. >>Email: pcpalvia(a)uncg.edu >>Local Chair: Khalid S. Soliman, Hofstra University, New York, 11549 >>USA >>Email: khalid.soliman(a)hofstra.edu >> >>TRACK CHAIR: >> >>Prof. Paul S. Licker, Ph. D. >>Director, Doctoral and Masters Programs >>Department of Information Systems >>University of Cape Town >>Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa >>Phone: IDD+27+21+650-2582 >>Fax: IDD+27+21+650-2280 >>Email: plicker(a)commerce.uct.ac.zaee http://www.vcn.bc.ca/groups/ > -- Jeremy hunsinger http://www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy CDDC/political science http://www.cddc.vt.edu 526 major williams hall 0130 virginia tech blacksburg, va 24061 540-231-7614

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Adolescents on the Web
by Jmarks930＠aol.com 18 Sep '01

18 Sep '01

Greetings, I was wondering if anyone knew of any statistics on the most popular search engines used by teenagers, and/or a listing of the most popular sites visited by teen girls? I am beginning my dissertation which will examine the impact of online health information on the health behaviors of adolescent girls (specifically diet and fitness). I am familiar with the work of Dina Borzekowski, but if any of you are aware of other major studies in this area or are interested in this topic I am eager to hear from you. You may respond directly to me. Thanks in advance, Julie T. Marks Doctoral Candidate The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health

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a nomination
by D. Silver 18 Sep '01

18 Sep '01

AIRers, I'm writing to nominate Nancy Baym for a second term as Vice President of AIR. Together with Steve Jones and the rest of the current executive committee, Nancy has done a tremendous job getting AIR off the ground and running. With the help of Jeremy Hunsinger, Nancy produced last year's conference, "INTERNET RESEARCH 1.0: The State of the Interdiscipline," attended by scholars from over twenty countries and representing over two dozen disciplines. Folks who know Nancy know she's the kind of person who makes things happen. She's also one hellava scholar; her book Tune In, Log On: Soaps, Fandom, and Online Community has my vote as one of the best single-authored texts in our field. Thanks for your time in these trying times, david silver http://faculty.washington.edu/dsilver

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Conference: Psychology and the Internet
by A.N.Joinson＠open.ac.uk 18 Sep '01

18 Sep '01

- - - -- apologies for cross posting - - - - PSYCHOLOGY AND THE INTERNET: A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE A major European Conference has been organised by the Wessex and Wight Branch in celebration of the British Psychological Society Centenary 7-9 November 2001 QinetiQ, Farnborough, Hampshire WWW - please logon to our website to download the Registration Form and Draft Programme www.bps.org.uk/sub-syst/Wess_Wight/events1.cfm <http://www.bps.org.uk/sub-syst/Wess_Wight/events1.cfm> 40 papers and 10 posters/demonstrations will be presented over 12 major themes including: Positive implications of Internet use Internet as a research tool E-commerce and commercial Internet use Internet and health provision / behaviour The Internet, self and identity Psychological implications of Internet use Psychology and educational technology Internet and recruitment, guidance and selection 'Deviant' Internet use Keynote Speakers: Dr Tom Postmes: University of Exeter: "Online Collective Action: The Internet and world revolution, local activism and "net effects" Professor Pam Briggs: University of Northumbria: "Relationship Design: How to create friends and influence people" Dr Ulf-Dietrich Reips: University of Zurich: "Internet-Based Psychological Experimenting" For Further Information: E-mail - please contact one of us on the Organising Committee: Jacqui Taylor - Bournemouth University jtaylor(a)bournemouth.ac.uk <mailto:jtaylor@bournemouth.ac.uk> Alan Gilbert - University of Portsmouth Alan.Gilbert(a)port.ac.uk <mailto:Alan.Gilbert@port.ac.uk> Adam Joinson - Open University A.N.Joinson(a)open.ac.uk <mailto:A.N.Joinson@open.ac.uk> Chris Elshaw - QinetiQ CCELSHAW(a)qinetiq.com <mailto:CCELSHAW@qinetiq.com>

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Post: Internet-based research project officer
by A.N.Joinson＠open.ac.uk 18 Sep '01

18 Sep '01

Apologies for any cross posting: INTERNET-BASED RESEARCH PROJECT OFFICER (2 years) INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY Ref: 15986 The Institute of Educational Technology (IET) is an academic unit of the Open University and a centre of international excellence (RAE Grade 5) for teaching, research and development of educational technologies in the service of effective learning. Since the OU was founded in 1969, members of the Institute have played a major role in shaping its teaching strategies, planning its use of media and designing its teaching materials and learner support systems. The Institute offers a creative and enthusiastic environment for innovative approaches. This post will be based in the Institute's Student Research Centre whose staff play a key role in monitoring the quality of the student learning experience and contribute to the formulation and review of the University policy. The work will form an integral part of the Electronic Survey Alliance (ELSA), a university-funded development to conduct institutional research and evaluations using the Internet. You will work on PRESTO, a system designed to conduct research and surveys with students and staff using web-based questionnaires. As well as being an innovative approach to increasing the responsiveness of the Open University to its students, PRESTO also forms the major research strand of ELSA. You will therefore be involved in researching the key parameters in web-based research, and will be expected to contribute to the dissemination of research outcomes at conferences and through research papers. You will also support the Head of the Project in designing appropriate uses of PRESTO technology. For this post, we are looking for someone who has got a good first degree, or a higher degree, in one of the Social Sciences (e.g. economics, sociology, education or psychology) and well developed social scientific research skills. You will need to have proven ability to work on your own initiative, and excellent communication, presentation and writing skills. Experience of both quantitative and qualitative research methods and good IT skills including SPSS or SAS, WORD and EXCEL, would also be an advantage. Ideally, you will also have some experience of using the Internet to collect research data (either qualitative or quantitative) . The post is full-time for two years and will be based within the Institute in Milton Keynes. Salary will be on the Academic-related staff scale, £20,267 - £26,229 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. Closing date for applications: Friday 9 October 2001 An application form and further particulars (and access details for disabled applicants) are available from Mrs Pat Cross on Milton Keynes (01908) 652916, email: iet-recruitment(a)open.ac.uk <mailto:iet-recruitment@open.ac.uk> There is a 24-hour voicemail service available on (01908) 654127. Please be sure to quote reference ESPO/15986 when making an enquiry. Disabled applicants whose skills and experience meet the requirements of the job will be interviewed. Please let us know if you need your copy of the further particulars in large print, on computer disk, or on audio cassette tape. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may make enquiries on Milton Keynes (01908) 654901 (Minicom answerphone). The University offers a wide range of jobs with excellent training and career development opportunities. We actively promote equal opportunities in education and employment and welcome applications from all sections of the community. http://www.open.ac.uk/employment <http://www.open.ac.uk/employment> _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Adam Joinson, PhD Institute of Educational Technology The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA Tel: +44 1908 654811 http://www.joinson.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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