Description
Commonwealth Publishers Internet and Information Technology by T M Samuel and M Samuel
The internet is the latest and in many respects most powerful in a line of media-telegraph, telephone, radio, television-that for many people have progressively eliminated time and space as obstacles to communication during the last century and a half. It thus has enormous consequences for individuals, nations, and the world. The growth of the internet has been exponential more and more people are using it for longer and longer to do more things. As the internet growth continues and especially as we see more users in developing nations, the ethics debate will not simply be an occidental vs. oriental one. Increasingly we have to accommodate a wide diversity of cultures and value systems. The internet is a driving force for much development and innovation in both developed and developing countries. However, the unvarnished truth today is that a plethora of ethical issues face society about the use and misuse of internet related activity with regards to existing values and norms. Indeed, the internet is a great enabler but above all, it is value neutral. It can be a force for good or bad, depending on its' users' intentions. By itself, it has little value, unless it is harnessed to a particular plan or purpose. This book addresses the critical role being played by Internet in the socio-economic development of the global society. It provides a global overview of ICT trends and policies in developing countries, covering issues such as financing infrastructure, the importance of public private partnerships and effective competition to extending access, using internet in doing business and formulating national e-strategies.