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The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of some issues and controversies surrounding arguments for regulating cyberspace.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of some issues and controversies surrounding arguments for regulating cyberspace.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper begins with a brief investigation of some background questions such as “What is cyberspace?” and “What is meant by ‘regulation’?” It then considers some distinctions between descriptive and normative aspects of questions involving internet regulation. Next, the paper examines Lawrence Lessig's model, which describes four modes of regulation that can be applied to cyberspace. The paper then considers some recent controversies that have emerged because of “regulation by code” and the “privatization of information policy.”
Findings
Cyberspace regulation raises ethical concerns.
Research limitations/implications
Internet regulation is evolving.
Originality/value
The way cyberspace is viewed, either as a “place” or as a “medium,” affects how it will be regulated.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to provide a survey piece on the concept of privacy and the justification of privacy rights.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a survey piece on the concept of privacy and the justification of privacy rights.
Design/methodology/approach
This article reviews each of the following areas: a brief history of privacy; philosophical definitions of privacy along with specific critiques; legal conceptions of privacy, including the history of privacy protections granted in constitutional and tort law; and general critiques of privacy protections both moral and legal.
Findings
A primary goal of this article has been to provide an overview of the most important philosophical and legal issues related to privacy. While privacy is difficult to define and has been challenged on legal and moral grounds, it is a cultural universal and has played an important role in the formation of Western liberal democracies.
Originality/value
The paper provides a general overview of the issues and debates that frame this lively area of scholarly inquiry. By facilitating a wider engagement and input from numerous communities and disciplines, it is the authors' hope to advance scholarly debate in this important area.
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Keywords
F S Grodzinsky, K Miller and M J Wolf
In this essay we argue that the current social and ethical structure in the Open Source Software (OSS) Community stem from its roots in academia. The individual developers…
Abstract
In this essay we argue that the current social and ethical structure in the Open Source Software (OSS) Community stem from its roots in academia. The individual developers experience a level of autonomy similar to that of a faculty member. Furthermore, we assert that the Open Source Software Community’s social structure demands benevolent leadership. We argue that it is difficult to pass off low quality open source software as high quality software and that the Open Source development model offers strong accountability. Finally, we argue that Open Source Software introduces ethical challenges for universities and the software development community.
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Keywords
You can’t unscramble an egg. You break it into a bowl, mix it, cook it, and eat something very different from what you started with. But if the shell were to fall in at step one…
Abstract
You can’t unscramble an egg. You break it into a bowl, mix it, cook it, and eat something very different from what you started with. But if the shell were to fall in at step one without your noticing, then you must discard the inedible result and restart the process. Similarly, when an information technology (IT) project is ill‐conceived, often the only way to change the outcome is to start again. Every system, from a mailing list to an airplane guidance system, codifies the ethics of its designers and developers.
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Keywords
This paper aims to report the deployment of open source electronic content management software in national government departments in South Africa, with the view to raise awareness…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report the deployment of open source electronic content management software in national government departments in South Africa, with the view to raise awareness of the free and open source software (FOSS) policy. Many countries including South Africa have developed policies that encourage the deployment of free and open source software (FOSS).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper opted for qualitative data collected through interviews with four chief information officers, five information technology (IT) officials, two records managers from government departments, one archivist from the National Archives of South Africa and one IT official from the State Information Technology Agency; these were selected purposively from national government departments. Furthermore, a free test trial of open source software, Alfresco Community Edition, was conducted for a 30-day period during September 2013. Alfresco was chosen as it is the preferred FOSS in government departments in South Africa.
Findings
The key finding reveals that, in contrast with the FOSS policy, governmental bodies in South Africa preferred proprietary software over FOSS, as only one government department has migrated to FOSS. The reasons cited for the low uptake of open source electronic content management include the perceived lack of support for FOSS or short lifespan support which was confirmed through the trial test, as well as a lack of IT skills by records management practitioners who are responsible for implementation of electronic content management and hidden costs as the internal staff would spend time supporting, tailoring and enhancing the software. It is observed that failure to raise awareness and benefits of the FOSS policy in South Africa will curtail the document into a dull epistle.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the chosen research approach and sampling method, the results were not generalised to the population. It is hoped that the study will stimulate further research interest and raise awareness in government departments with regard to FOSS policy implementation, especially in the area of electronic content management.
Practical implications
The paper shows the difficulty in implementing a policy and putting it into practice without looking into its practical feasibility.
Originality/value
This research attempts to bridge the gap and bring new elements by assessing the level of FOSS adoption in the area of electronic content management which is often ignored by the government and also less researched by scholars.
Details
Keywords
Satasha L. Green and Christine M. Scott
Writings about language and speech impairments (SLI) have been present for many centuries (Smith, 2004). Unfortunately, early historical accounts tended to reflect negatively upon…
Abstract
Writings about language and speech impairments (SLI) have been present for many centuries (Smith, 2004). Unfortunately, early historical accounts tended to reflect negatively upon individuals with SLI. For example, Van Riper and Erickson (1996) related that during the Roman times, an individual who stuttered was placed into a cage for entertainment purposes. According to these authors, citizens passing would throw coins into the person's cage to get him to talk. During the late 1800s, the profession of speech-language pathology began as an avocation of certain professionals, notably doctors, educators, and elocutionists (public speakers), who were interested in helping others improve their speech. American doctors studied under the auspices of European doctors who treated people with communication disorders. The two most common disorders that were treated then were dysfluency (stuttering) and speech sound errors (articulation) (Duchan, 2002). Treatment was available for the above disorders, however, the programs were not in public schools and the results of intervention were mixed (Smith, 2004).
To provide an introduction to concepts and resources that will be useful to library professionals learning about information ethics.
Abstract
Purpose
To provide an introduction to concepts and resources that will be useful to library professionals learning about information ethics.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper argues for the importance of information ethics to twenty‐first century library professionals. It describes what various authors have said about how information ethics can be applied to the ethical dilemmas faced by library professionals.
Findings
In order to deal effectively with their ethical dilemmas, library professionals must have a good working knowledge of information ethics. Codes of professional ethics can help to provide such knowledge, but they are not sufficient. Courses on information ethics must be part of the education of information professionals. Such courses should provide library professionals with an understanding of ethical theories and how they apply to concrete practical cases. Such courses should also make explicit the connection between information ethics and the mission of the library professional.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of publications on the topic of information ethics and library professionals.
Originality/value
This paper provides library professionals with a concise introduction to information ethics.
Details