Infosys v2n024 (July 28, 1995) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/infosys/infs-v2n024 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * INFOSYS: The Electronic Newsletter for Information Systems * * Volume 2, Number 24 ISSN: 1173-3764 July 28, 1995 * * * * Editor: Dennis W. Viehland, Massey University, New Zealand * * Listowners: Greg Welsh, American University, Washington DC * * Peter M. Weiss, Penn State * * Sponsor: boyd & fraser publishing, Danvers, Massachusetts * * * * Current Subscribers = 3,908 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TABLE OF CONTENTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS - From Flash Information * * ANNOUNCEMENT - MISQ Discovery * * CONFERENCE - Workshop on Cross-Cultural Issues in IS Research * * CALL FOR PAPERS - Yugoslav Association for EDI Conference * * CALL FOR PAPERS - AI Tools for Decision Support Systems * * CALL FOR PAPERS -International Conf on Info Systems Development * * CALL FOR PAPERS - Software Requiremts Engineering (Annals of SE) * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Foundation Professor in Info Systems * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 0714* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS - From Flash Information * * Dennis Viehland, Massey University * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * OBJECT TECHNOLOGY. An IBM software group manager likens the shift from custom software craftsmanship to object technology to the jump in manufacturing productivity that came with the industrial revolution. This shift to preassembled software components may help reduce the costs of developing, maintaining, and supporting client/server applications which are becoming increasingly larger and more complex and which are still being handcrafted in the traditional way. "The rush to objects speeds up," Datamation 41 (10) 1 June 1995, 47. BUYING A COMPUTER FOR YOUR HOME OFFICE. The following are essential components of your home-office computer: 1) a Pentium processor running at 75 or 90 megahertz; 2) at least eight megabytes of memory; 3) a hard disk drive of at least 540 megabytes; 4) a fax modem of at least 14,400 bits per second; 5) a tape backup unit; 6) a 17-inch monitor; 7) a double-speed or quad-speed CD-ROM drive and Sound Blaster-compatible sound board; and 8) a local bus video board with at least one megabyte of on-board RAM. The Brother HL-630 -- a 300-dpi laser printer -- is ideal for general correspondence. "Setting up your own home office (insert: How to buy a computer)," Fortune 132 (1) 10 July 1995, 124-136. THE COST OF INFORMATION. Estimates on the cost of acquiring, processing, storing, and transmitting information vary wildly. The American Electronics Association calculated that last year's global market for information technology hardware, software, and services was US$643 billion. The figure the European Information Technology Observatory arrived at, however, was nearly 40% higher - - US$891 billion. "What information costs," Fortune 132 (1) 10 July 1995, 119. CLIENT/SERVER COMPUTING - SURVEY. A survey indicates that client/ server computing is fast becoming mainstream; 67% of the 2,365 respondents have already implemented client/server computing. 32% already have systems in use, 24% have started implementation, 11% have systems in the pilot stage, and 18% are seriously considering implementation. Respondents said that main factors inhibiting downsizing by large-scale users are: 1) the cost/hassle of conversion (38%), 2) the lack of any perceived compelling advantage (27%), 3) the lack of adequate software (15%), and 4) hardware limitations (9%). 11% responded that no factors existed. "Mainframes are breaking out of the glass house," Datamation 41 (11) 15 June 1995, 34-38. WORKGROUP COMPUTING - SURVEY. Workgroup computing is being rapidly adopted, especially by large organizations. Currently, 19% of the respondents have workgroup computing in place and 28% is planning adoption over the next two years. Currently, workgroup computing is used by 27% of firms with revenues over US$ 500m, 17% of firms with revenues between US$ 51-500m, and 13% of firms with revenues under US$ 51m. Lotus Notes is the software of choice of those who have implemented workgroup computing -- used at 46% firms; Microsoft Exchange is used at 17% firms. Of the firms planning workgroup computing implementation 27% intends to install Exchange and 36% Notes. "Mainframes are breaking out of the glass house," Datamation 41 (11) 15 June 1995, 34-38. COMPUTER SECURITY. Computer security "incidents" rose by 73% from 1992 to 1993, most of which were attacks launched by outsiders -- competitors (39%), customers (19%), public interest groups (19%), suppliers (9%), and foreign governments (7%), according to the Computer Security Institute in San Francisco and Ernst and Young LLP. These figures, however, may not reflect reality. First few professional hackers get caught; second, most companies hide their security failures. "The growing professional menace," Open Computing 12 (7) July 1995, 33-42. Editor's Note: Flash Information is a bibliographic electronic newsletter for the computing community. Subscription is free. Contact flash@citi.doc.ca for more information. These abstracts are extracted from the 12-23 June, 26-30 June, and 3-14 July issues. \EOA 0715* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ANNOUNCEMENT - MISQ Discovery * * Blake Ives, Southern Methodist University * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * We are pleased to announce the formal launch of MISQ Discovery, the Management Information Systems Quarterly's sister publication intended to push the frontiers of the electronic creation and dissemination of scholarship. MISQ Discovery is intended to engender new forms of knowledge dissemination and knowledge creation related to information technology. MISQ Discovery provides an outlet for electronic work that helps us to: --Explore alternative knowledge dissemination outlets. --Engineer a new intellectual infrastructure for a global community of scholars. --Foster cooperative groups focused on learning and research. --Establish a 'learning organization' to assist the information systems field. --Make information systems into a model for other disciplines. --Challenge established assumptions firmly rooted in a paper-based world. --Provide a living laboratory for experiments in cooperative work. What is it? The words "journal", "article", "author", "issue," "volume" and "printer" do not readily apply to MISQ Discovery. "Works" or "productions" submitted by "producers" will, if found to be of acceptable quality, be "published" as individual contributions (although "virtual" volume and issue numbers may be appended to assist in managing citations). The use of different words to describe the elements of this new enterprise, does not mean that the productions will not be high quality scholarship. Through faster cycle time to publication, immediate worldwide dissemination of knowledge, cooperation among researchers scattered throughout the world, etcetera, we expect to see a dramatic increase in the quality of scholarship and accelerated learning. We will publish research reports, albeit in new forms, in MISQ Discovery but we also will encourage one-time initiatives intended to help us get out of the box of 'paper publishing'. Where in the past you might have taken pages to explain to someone in words about your project in 3-Dimensional modeling, you might now show them a 3-D representation so as to let them experience it for themselves and then provide them with a look at the underlying program or data structure. In an electronic world it will be possible to both show the model or concept in use as well as the way it is constructed or applied. Through the use of multimedia, video, interactivity, hypertext, live data, and so on, we expect our producers to challenge our existing assumptions about research and learning. Our intended constituency are researchers (and managers) interested in the structure of information and knowledge and the application of information systems and information technology. Further information about this new production of the MIS Quarterly including: --Desired Content --Relationship to Management Information Systems Quarterly --Relationship to ISWorld Net --Living versus Archival Productions --Archival Publications --Living Publications --Review Process --What is the Engine Room? is available under "About MISQ Discovery" at http://www.cox.smu.edu/mis/misq/applied/home.html or from the editor-in chief, Blake Ives, at bives@mail.smu.edu. Submission information is available at: http://www.cox.smu.edu/mis/misq/applied/submit.html \EOA 0716* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONFERENCE - Workshop on Cross-Cultural Issues in IS Research * * Roberto Evaristo, Univ of Denver * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Workshop on Cross-Cultural Issues in IS Research December 10, 1995 Nijenrode University Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Third Annual Meeting on Cross Cultural Research in Information Systems will be held in conjuction with the Sixteenth Annual Conference in Information Systems (ICIS) in Amsterdam, on December 10th, from 12 to 5 pm. The place of the meeting will be at Nijenrode University, which is beautifully placed in a park about 20 minutes driving distance from the conference centre. Bus transportation is expected to cost about 11 dutch guilders (approx US$6) per person. We will start our meeting with a light lunch (soup and french bread sandwiches) and will have a coffee break. Final cost will be broadcast on the CROSS-L e-mail list in late August, but is anticipated to be approx US$30 per person. This year, we are fortunate to have Dr. Gert Jan Hofstede to conduct the meeting. In this workshop the aim is to not only talk about the subject matter, but to let the participants experience for themselves how their own cultural makeup determines their perceptions of Information Technology. You should be prepared to do some role- playing. Because we expect the participants to actually participate, we cannot accommodate over 30 people in the workshop. Space is limited on a first come first serve basis. If you are planning to come, please notify Roberto Evaristo at cross-l@mercury.cair.du.edu. \EOA 0717* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CALL FOR PAPERS - Yugoslav Association for EDI Conference * * Milan Milosevic * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 3rd Annual Yugoslav Association for Electronic Data Interchange (YUEDI) Conference "Electronic Data Interchange and Electronic Commerce in the World and Yugoslavia - Current Status and Perspectives" 5-6 December 1995 Belgrade, Yugoslavia The aim of the 3rd YUEDI Conference is to provide a global view on the development of electronic data interchange and especially the electronic trade in the World and Yugoslavia. Aware of the fact that the developed countries of the world are investing large funds into the development EDI/EC (Electronic Data Interchange/Electronic Commerce), that these technologies will be in the future one of the most important factors of the competitiveness in the international division of labor, and knowing that the development and application of EDI/EC is a developmental priority of Yugoslavia, YUEDI Association is organizing the Third YUEDI Conference. We hope that it will provide us with the insight on the current status of EDI/EC and its expected developmental directions. We are inviting all of the potential authors to submit articles that should elaborate on all of the relevant aspects of the application of EDI/EC and especially: --the current status of the telecommunication infrastructure in Yugoslavia and the world necessary to support the application of EDI/EC --the status and the direction of future standardization of EDI, Open-EDI and UN/EDIFACT --software for EDI/EC, quality of EDI applications --the existing services for the application of EDI/EC --legal issues connected to the successful implementation of EDI/EC --security mechanisms in the application of EDI/EC --economic implications inherent to the transition to electronic commerce --application of EDI in transport, trade, tourism, health care, industry, government administration, and other commercial and noncommercial activities --marketing utilizations of EDI --and other issues of importance for the theme of the 3rd.YUEDI Conference. A detailed list of instructions to authors, including both printed and electronic submission of papers, is available from yuedi@osmeh.fon.bg.ac.yu. Important dates are: Deadline for submittal of manuscripts and abstracts 15 Sept 1995 Notice of acceptance of their abstract 10 Oct 1995 Deadline for the submittal of complete articles 25 Oct 1995 Articles received after 15 September 1995 will not be published in the Proceedings, but will be contained in the Electronic Proceedings in hypertext if received by 20 November 1995. Participants of the Conference from Yugoslavia shall be obliged to pay a registration fee of 200,00 dinars by 15 September 1995. Registration fee for participants from abroad is 200 DEM, payable to the organizers at the conference. Members of the YUEDI Association are privileged to a reduction of 25%. Additional information can be obtained from: YUEDI Association 11000 Belgrade Kneza Milosa 20 Yugoslavia Voice: +381-11-324-90-28 Fax: +381-11-235-10-36 E-mail: yuedi@osmeh.fon.bg.ac.yu X.400: /S=YUEDI/A=BEOGRAD400/P=PUBLIC/C=YU/ \EOA 0718* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CALL FOR PAPERS - AI Tools for Decision Support Systems * * IDSS Mailing List Newsletter * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Artificial Intelligence Tools for Decision Support Systems Special Issue of European Journal of Operational Research During the 70/80's, Decision Support Systems (DSS) became a key issue in real situations of management introducing a new domain of scientific research. The two main subjects explored in the existing literature are real case applications and software tools for the devlopment of DSS. However, the necessity to enhance the potentialities of DSS and to improve their user friendliness requires several methodological innovations. A promising field in such a direction has been demonstrated to be in Artificial Intelligence which is now sufficiently mature to offer reliable and robust tools. This special issue will have two separate parts: --methodologies of combining Artificial Intelligence tools in Decision Support Systems --real case applications of DSS using Artificial Intelligence techniques. Papers are welcome when fitting in one of the following subjects: --comparison of Artificial Intelligence tools and classical DSS techniques --composition of past, recent and potential applications and avaluations of the appropriateness of such applications --methodologies to design DSS's using AI --cognitive dimension of decision aid The Guest Editors are Pascale Zarate and Camille Rosenthal-Sabroux. Submissions must be sent by no later than 2 October 1995 to: Pascale Zarate Laforia, IBP Box 169 University Pierre & Marie Curie 4 Place Jussieu 75252 Paris cedex 05 Voice: 33 1 44 70 02 Fax: 33 1 44 27 70 00 E-mail: zarate@laforia.ibp.fr \EOA 0719* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CALL FOR PAPERS -International Conf on Info Systems Development * * Stanislaw Wrycza, University of Gdansk * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Fifth International Conference on Information Systems Development (ISD '96) Methods and Tools: Theory and Practice 24-26 September 1996 University of Gdansk Gdansk, Poland The aim of the Information Systems Development (ISD) Conference is to establish an international forum for the exchange of knowledge, experience and new ideas to share and stimulate new solutions. This Conference provides a meeting place for IS researchers and practitioners from Eastern and Western Europe, as well as from the other parts of the world. This Conference gives an opportunity for participants to express ideas on the current state of the art of ISD, and to discuss and exchange views about new methods, tools and applications. An objective of the conference is not only to share scientific knowledge and interests but to establish strong ties among the participants. We seek your active participation by presenting a paper and/or by your involvement in discussion sessions. Social program and sightseeing tour will also be organized. The language of the Conference is English. The Conference Committee seeks original papers based on research and/or practice. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to: --Theoretical foundations, new paradigms and trends of IS development. --Methods, techniques and tools of system development. --Object orientation in IS development. --Human, social and organizational dimensions of IS development. --Software and information engineering. --Data bases management and applications. --User interface design. --Organizational information systems. --Global information and communication infrastructure in business. --Education and training of IS personnel and users. --Implementation issues of specific applications domains (e.g. DSS and EIS, expert systems, distributed/federated systems, systems quality). --Empirical studies, case studies, evaluation of existing methods. Authors and attendees are requested to submit the following information to Stanislaw Wrycza: name, affiliation, address, phone and fax, e-mail, and title of paper (if submitting). You will receive a copy of instructions concerning the standard format required for the preparation of papers. Submitted papers should include a separate title page with each author's full name, complete address, telephone, fax number and e-mail address. Conference fee is US$270. It includes all meals, refreshments, banquet and a copy of Proceedings. Submission Due Dates: Initial submission (4 copies): February, 20, 1996 Notification of acceptance: May, 20, 1996 Camera ready papers (maximum 10 pages) July, 10, 1996 Co-chairmen: Stanislaw Wrycza, University of Gdansk (Poland) Joze Zupancic, University of Maribor (Slovenia) Address all mail to: Stanislaw Wrycza (ISD '96) University of Gdansk Department of Information Systems Ul. Armii Krajowej 119/121 81-824 SOPOT POLAND Voice: +48 58 510061 ext 400 Fax: +48 58 522212 E-mail: isd@panda.bg.univ.gda.pl WWW: http://opd.ek.univ.gda.pl/isd96.htm \EOA 0720* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CALL FOR PAPERS - Software Requiremts Engineering (Annals of SE) * * Nancy Mead, Carnegie-Mellon University * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Annals of Software Engineering Special Issue on Software Requirements Engineering Over time, software engineers have sought methods that can be used early in software development to improve the quality and predictability of the software itself, as well as the process by which it is developed. It has become clear to software managers and practitioners that the software development process can become more predictable only if our methods for gathering and analyzing requirements are robust and codified in practice. Researchers are defining and documenting methods that can be used in the practice of software requirements engineering; and there are now textbooks on the subject, as well as conferences and special issues of professional journals. A special volume of Annals of Software Engineering will be devoted to the state of the art and practice of software requirements engineering. We are seeking papers that present research results, case studies, measurement results, surveys, tutorials, and actual project experiences. Suggested topics include (but are not limited to): --Requirements elicitation or gathering --Requirements analysis --Requirements specification for both behavioral and nonbehavioral requirements --Requirements prototyping --The role of other software engineering disciplines, such as software architecture, metrics, and human-computer interfaces, in requirements engineering --Management issues such as requirements traceability, teaming arrangements, use of measurement data, and customer role. Five (5) copies of the complete manuscript should be submitted to the guest editor before March 1, 1996: Dr Nancy R. Mead Guest Editor, Software Engineering Institute Carnegie-Mellon University 5000 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA Voice: (412) 268-5756 Fax: (412) 268-5758 E-mail: nrm@sei.cmu.edu Additional background on the Annals can be found on the ASE WWW page: http://manta.cs.vt.edu/ase/ \EOA 0721* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Foundation Professor in Info Systems * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Foundation Professor in Information Systems Fixed-Term Five year Contract Edith Cowan University The School of Management Information Systems in the Faculty of Business of Edith Cowan University is seeking to appoint a Foundation Professor of Information Systems. The School has a wide variety of courses at undergraduate, graduate and post graduate levels in Information Systems, Business Computing, Office Systems, Operations and Quality Management. The School comprises two departments, Information Systems and Management Science. Current research interests include systems thinking, Information Systems performance measurement, graphical information systems, multi-media, decision sciences and innovative learning methods. The Faculty's research is directed toward small and medium enterprise. The successful applicant would be expected to have an established reputation from research and publications in the Information Systems area but should also have empathy towards the Management Science Department. He/She would also have an established track record in attracting research and other funding. Although a relevant Doctoral qualification is highly desirable, applicants without a relevant Doctoral qualification may be considered on the basis of their curriculum vitae. All applicants must be able to demonstrate excellence in teaching. The post would involve providing academic leadership and coordinating/focussing the research efforts within the School. In addition to normal academic management, active participation in courses currently offered by the School and the supervision of post- graduate students is required. Enquires may be made to: Professor Geoffrey Soutar Dean, Faculty of Business Voice: (61+9) 273 8205 Fax: (61+9) 273 8661 E-mail: r.lourens@cowan.edu.au Base salary level is A$80,176 per annum Closing date: 4 August 1995 Two copies of written applications, including the names and addresses of at least three referees, and referencing position #628 should be addressed to: Recruitment Branch Division Human Resource Management Edith Cowan University Pearson Street Churchlands, Western Australian 6018 \EOA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ABOUT INFOSYS * * INFOSYS is an electronic newsletter for faculty, students, and * * practitioners in the field of Information Systems. INFOSYS * * publishes news items, requests for assistance, calls for papers * * announcements of professional meetings and conferences, position * * announcements, journal table of contents, and other items of * * interest to the Information Systems community. * * * * INFOSYS is published biweekly, more frequently if volume requires * * it. INFOSYS operates as an electronic mailing list on listserv * * software at American University in Washington, DC. The editor is * * Dennis W. Viehland . * * * * INFOSYS is sponsored by boyd & fraser, publishers of educational * * materials for computer and information education. Contact Bill * * Lisowski or visit http://www.bf.com/bf.html * * or gopher.bf.com for more information about boyd & fraser. * * * * To subscribe to INFOSYS send the following one-line e-mail * * message to listserv@american.edu: subscribe infosys yourfirstname * * yourlastname (e.g., subscribe infosys John Smith). You will * * receive a welcome letter that will tell you more about INFOSYS * * and listserv. To cancel your subscription send the following * * message to listserv@american.edu: unsubscribe infosys * * * * Guidelines for submitting articles to INFOSYS are published in * * the Welcome message each new subscriber receives (or e-mail "get * * infosys welcome" to listserv@american.edu). Send articles to * * infosys@american.edu or d.viehland@massey.ac.nz. * * * * The INFOSYS Calendar of Upcoming Events is updated fortnightly * * and can be obtained in the following ways: * * --E-mail: send the following one-line message to * * listserv@american.edu: get infosys calendar * * --FTP: anonymous FTP to ftp.american.edu; file is pub/infosys/ * * infosys.calendar * * --Gopher: gopher to auvm.american.edu; choose INFOSYS * * --WWW: forthcoming * * * * INFOSYS Back Issues are archived by Robert McArthur at: * * AUSTRALIA: http://www.fit.qut.edu.au/~mcarthur/infosys/ * * by Eric Morgan (N Carolina State Univ) at: * * USA: ftp://ftp.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/infosys/ * * USA: wais://wais.lib.ncsu.edu/infosys * * USA: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/infosys-index.html * * by Brian Fitzgerald (University College Cork) at: * * EUROPE: http://www.ucc.ie/htbin/infosys * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *