Fostering web use in some real environments

Abstract

Web-based systems accessed in real environments are analyzed, identifying technical and non-technical factors critical to good practice and effective use. User-centric and e-enabling approaches to successful deployment are suggested, applying theoretical background and interactions with practitioners to assess feasibility of practice. Specific technical innovations by Web and Semantic Web researchers and practitioners are recommended, as is user education and community support, to foster widespread successful Web and Semantic Web use.

An ethnocentric look at the law and technology interface

“…Even more disturbing is the fact that endusers don't realize that "private" and "secure" financial transactions won't necessarily be private or secure when carried out on public machines. We also have made the more mundane discoveries that, even in today's world, there are people of all ages and of all levels of education who are unable to interact with technical equipment, are befuddled by keyboards or are unable (logically or physically) to enter keywords to initiate a Web search [10,11,12]. These difficulties may be self-induced, but they do reveal technological barriers to access.…”

“…They are provided to help those potential end-users unable to interact with Technology themselves. From observations of everyday citizens within their environments [12] we have determined that despite the best combined efforts of Technology, Web development and Software Engineering, for many there will always be a need for some such intervention. We appreciate that Fairfax County has recognized this.…”

“…Our research involving the Semantic Web has indicated possible solutions to some problems of access, privacy and security and can be of great use in eGovernment applications [11,12]. We have endorsed the use of the Semantic Web as middleware to enable or prevent access to sites and to apply permissions for access.…”

“…Even in such critical areas as the technological advances related to Homeland Security, some efforts at considering citizens' privacy have been made. In [12] we remarked on a recent symposium on "AI Technologies for Homeland Security" (reported in [39]) that included a "Privacy Panel" [29]. There experts stressed actions taken to achieve privacy-protecting technological goals.…”