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the guides
The Guides on this site are free resources that
provide in-depth coverage of developments and issues
relating to the internet.
They highlight major books and industry or government
reports. They point to sites in Australia and overseas.
They include commentary, so that you can assess the value
of the documents and of the guides.
They are updated on an ongoing basis. 'Breaking' news and
more detailed comment is provided in Analysphere,
our fortnightly online journal.
coverage
The
guides include:
Electronic Publishing
- an overview of new publishing technologies, professional
bodies, standards and issues.
Design - many
sites are monuments to a designers ego or a graphic artist's
wizardry rather than what visitors want and what works. This
guide points to what works and
what doesn't.
accessibility -
while there's disagreement about specific standards, ensuring your
site is accessible to disabled visitors and to those - like many in
regional areas - with slower connections is both good sense and
legally desirable. This guide points to emerging standards,
highlights useful literature and notes relevant legislation.
Intellectual
Property, contrary to many gurus, is alive and well and living in
cyberspace. This guide identifies major issues, legislation, tools
and theoretical writing.
The Metrics guide explores
statistical information about cyberspace. It discusses web statistics and forecasts (often
absurd) and measurement mechanisms, along with studies of the size
and shape of the web. It points to sources of data and highlights
thinking about the contentious 'digital divide'
Much of the activity on the internet takes place across
national or other borders, ie involves different legal
jurisdictions. Cyberspace is not a law-free zone and the
arrangements for its regulation have precedents in
national and international law. The Governance
guide identifies fundamental regulatory issues at the
global and national levels. It considers the role of government
and discusses regulatory mechanisms, including
international agreements and private arbitration. It
offers a map of bodies such as the WTO, WIPO and NOIE,
GILC and HIIP.
The web is one part of the internet, a network of
networks. Although the global
information infrastructure is independent of particular proprietary
hardware or software, it is dependent on broad standards.
The Network guide
identifies standards issues. And it provides a map of the
bodies that develop or authorise those standards. It
describes local agencies such as the ACA and global bodies
such as ICANN, the IETF and ITU.
being
digital - what it means to 'be
digital', from visions of artificial intelligence to pragmatic
studies of how the Web is affecting politics. It includes
pointers
to the history, extent and future development of
the Internet
The 'new' economy
- a guide to essential information about the shape of the
'information economy'.
e-politics -
studies of online campaigns and political processes, including
advocacy and fundraising
npo online - how
non-profit organisations (particularly philanthropic bodies) are using
the web to build relationships with their clients and otherwise
enhance their operations
Connecting
- an introduction to domain naming, metadata, search
engines, portals and other stuff that brings joy to the hearts of
geeks and librarians but can be critical to your success online.
Taxation
- a guide to taxation of e-commerce
and related issues
Money - digital cash systems,
electronic banking
and other developments
e-Capital
- venture capital, angels and other things for dot com start-ups
Security - are the
dangers exaggerated? This guide highlights essential reading and
assesses many of the claims about online security, authentication,
encryption and
crime.
Censorship
and free speech - government reports, industry and community
responses, filters and blocking technology explained, legislation in
Australia and overseas
Web marketing
- is marketing on the web for real? Read this guide to find out
Digital consumers - watchdogs,
ripoffs, legislation, international and
Australian developments
Privacy - a guide to issues, laws, government agencies,
commercial bodies and the literature.
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