An illuminating insight into the Metaverse - what it is, how it works, and and why it will soon be playing a major role in business, technology and society.

In Into the Metaverse, Cathy Hackl, a globally recognized futurist and one of the world's first Chief Metaverse Officers, shares her insights on what companies need to do to harness the next iteration of the internet - the metaverse. In this book you'll find a wealth of information on issues such as:

- What is the metaverse and what it means for your brand, organization or company
- How to make money in the metaverse through understanding the underlying concepts behind it such as gaming, synthetic media, spatial computing and artificial intelligence.
- How to lead in the metaverse through industries that are already forging ahead, such as fashion and marketing.
- Who should manage the metaverse function within your organization and why some companies should consider creating a role for a Chief Metaverse Officer.
- Finally, how to protect the metaverse and action steps you can take towards the future.

Essential reading for any executive, Into the Metaverse, will reshape how you think about the internet and its place for those who want to lead successful businesses, today and into the future. If the internet was first used to connect us to information, and then developed into a social media forum to connect people, then Web3, which connects people, places and things, will help enable the successor state to today's mobile internet - the Metaverse. It will bring together and merge our physical and digital lives, and - in the same way that social media upended our lives and our businesses - the Metaverse will shake things up even more. Into the Metaverse is the essential business guide to understanding the ground-breaking technologies that enable this monumental shift and the opportunities it presents from a business and societal perspective.

The Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) movement demonstrates how labour can self-organise production, and, as is shown by the free operating system GNU/Linux, even compete with some of the worlds largest firms. The book examines the hopes of such thinkers as Friedrich Schiller, Karl Marx, Herbert Marcuse and Antonio Negri, in the light of the recent achievements of the hacker movement. This book is the first to examine a different kind of political activism that consists in the development of technology from below.

While much has been written on the growth of information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services in India, little is known about the people who work in these industries, about the nature of the work itself, and about its wider social and cultural ramifications. The papers in this collection combine empirical research with theoretical insight to fill this gap and explore questions about the trajectory of globalization in India. The themes covered include: (a) sourcing and social structuring of the new global workforce; (b) the work process, work culture, regimes of control and resistance in IT-enabled industries; (c) work, culture and identity; (d) nations, borders and cross-border flows.

A myriad of security vulnerabilities in the software and hardware we use today can be exploited by an attacker, any attacker. The knowledge necessary to successfully intercept your data and voice links and bug your computers is widespread and not limited to the intelligence apparatus. Consequently, the knowledge required can - at least in part - also easily be accessed by criminals trying to 'transfer your wealth' and competitors looking for your trade secrets. The temptation to use these easily accessible resources to the disadvantage of a rival company grows as global competition gets fiercer. Corporate espionage is nothing new, but since the dawn of the Internet Age the rules have changed. It is no longer necessary to be on-site to steal proprietary information. Cyberattacks today are cheap and attackers run a very low risk of getting caught, as attacks can be executed from anywhere in the world - an ideal breeding ground for criminal activities - and the consequences can be disastrous. In Understanding Cyber Risk: Protecting your Corporate Assets the author provides a wealth of real world examples from diverse industries from all over the world on how company assets are attacked via the cyber world. The cases clearly show that every organization can fall victim to a cyberattack, regardless of the size or country of origin. He also offers specific advice on how to protect core assets and company secrets. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in cyber security, and the use of cyberattacks in corporate espionage.

Since the 1950s there has been a persistent shortage of sci-tech librarians, and as more librarians retire or change positions, the prospect looms that the profession will only depopulate further. Tackling this difficult challenge, Recruiting, Training, and Retention of Science and Technology Librarians gathers together into one source the perspectives of top library administrators and managers as well as front-line librarians who present the latest research and practical strategies to find, train, and keep those valuable specialized professionals. This book explores in depth timely issues and presents creative perspectives and innovative solutions to this persistent problem in subject-specialized libraries.
As the baby-boom generation of science and technology librarians begins to retire, training and keeping sci-tech librarians will become even more crucial. Recruiting, Training, and Retention of Science and Technology Librarians discusses the "replacement gap" problem in libraries, including who should be recruited, how they should be trained, and how to retain them once hired. Several authors address the field's long-standing specialist vs. generalist debate, bringing new data and experience-driven perspectives to this challenging issue.
Topics in Recruiting, Training, and Retention of Science and Technology Librarians include:

• updating the cultural image of librarians to make the profession more appealing
  
• a comprehensive literature review
  
• how to cultivate candidates who are dedicated to service and love research and learning
  
• practical approaches to improve the visibility and attractiveness of science librarianship
  
• the skills and support needed to become a successful science librarian
  
• an innovative program to recruit undergraduates
  
• an in-depth survey of practicing science and technology librarians
  
• the challenges of science librarianship in Africa
  
• library and information science educators as recruiters for sci-tech librarians
  
• creative strategies to recruit and retain librarians
  
• adapting aspects of first-year student retention programs as a model for library retention programs
  
• how professional competencies can be used for recruitment, training, and retention
  
• and more

Technological advances and innovative perspectives constantly evolve the notion of what makes up a digital library. Archives and the Digital Library provides an insightful snapshot of the current state of archiving in the digital realm. Respected experts in library and information science present the latest research results and illuminating case studies to provide a comprehensive glimpse at the theory, technological advances, and unique approaches to digital information management as it now stands. The book focuses on digitally reformatted surrogates of non-digital textual and graphic materials from archival collections, exploring the roles archivists can play in broadening the scope of digitization efforts through creatively developing policies, procedures, and tools to effectively manage digital content.
Many of the important advances in digitization of materials have little to do with the efforts of archivists. Archives and the Digital Library concentrates specifically on the developments in the world of archives and the digitization of the unique content of information resources archivists deal with on a constant basis. This resource reviews the current issues and challenges, effective user assessment techniques, various digital resources projects, collaboration strategies, and helpful best practices. The book is extensively referenced and includes helpful illustrative figures.
Topics in Archives and the Digital Library include:

• a case study of LSTA-grant funded California Local History Digital Resources Project
  
• expanding the scope of traditional archival digitations projects beyond the limits of a single institution
  
• a case study of the California Cultures Project
  
• the top ten themes in usability issues
  
• case studies of usability studies, focus groups, interviews, ethnographic studies, and web log analysis
  
• developing a reciprocal partnership with a digital library
  
• the technical challenges in harvesting and managing Web archives
  
• metadata strategies to provide descriptive, technical, and preservation related information about archived Web sites
  
• long-term preservation of digital materials
  
• building a trusted digital repository
  
• collaboration in developing and supporting the technical and organizational infrastructure for sustainability in both academic and state government
  
• the Archivists' Toolkit software application
  

Due to the dramatic increase in competition over the last few years, it has become more and more important for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to run an efficient business and offer an adequate Quality of Service. "The Competitive Internet Service Provider" is a comprehensive guide for those seeking to do just that.

Oliver Heckmann approaches the issue from a system point of view, looking not only at running a network, but also at connecting the network with peering and transit partners or planning the expansion of the network.

"The Competitive Internet Service Provider: " Offers an advanced reference on the topic, drawing on state-of-the art research in network technology. Clearly defines the criteria enabling ISPs to operate with the greatest efficiency and deliver adequate Quality of Service. Discusses the implications of the future multiservice Internet and multimedia applications such as Voice over IP, peer-to-peer, or network games. Delivers a comparative evaluation of different feasible Quality of Service approaches. Explores scientific methods such as queuing theory, network calculus, and optimization theory. Illustrates concepts throughout with mathematical models and simulations.

This invaluable reference will provide academic and industrial researchers in the field of network and communications technology, graduate students on telecommunications courses, as well as ISP managers, engineers and technicians, equipment manufacturers and consultants, an understanding of the concepts and issues involved in running a successful ISP.

Television directors remain an enigma to most students of the mass media; traditionally, their function has been little understood by scholars and the viewing public. In this book, John Ravage studies the role of the director in the producer-dominated medium of commercial television. Built around lengthy interviews with twelve of the leading directors of commercial programs-representing all the genres of "prime time"-the book analyzes the major issues facing television, its past, present, and portents for the future, and the audience that watches it.

This groundbreaking book analyses the geography of the commercial Internet industry. It presents the first accurate map of Internet domains in the world, by country, by region, by city, and for the United States, by neighborhood.
Demonstrates the extraordinary spatial concentration of the Internetindustry.
Explains the geographic features of the high tech venture capital behind the Internet economy.
Demonstrates how venture capitalists' abilities to create and use tacit knowledge contributes to the clustering of the internet industry
Draws on in-depth interviews and field work in San Francisco Bay Area and New York City.

The real-world value of knowledge in the mobile-device age. More people know who Khloe Kardashian is than who Rene Descartes was. Most can't find Delaware on a map, correctly spell the word occurrence, or name the largest ocean on the planet. But how important is it to fill our heads with facts? A few keystrokes can summon almost any information in seconds. Why should we bother learning facts at all? Bestselling author William Poundstone confronts that timely question in Head in the Cloud. He shows that many areas of knowledge correlate with the quality of our lives -- wealth, health, and happiness -- and even with politics and behavior. Combining Big Data survey techniques with eye-opening anecdotes, Poundstone examines what Americans know (and don't know) on topics ranging from quantum physics to pop culture. Head in the Cloud asks why we're okay with spelling errors on menus but not on resumes; why Fox News viewers don't know which party controls Congress; why people who know trivia make more money than those who don't; how individuals can navigate clickbait and media spin to stay informed about what really matters. Hilarious, humbling, and wildly entertaining, Head in the Cloud is a must-read for anyone who doesn't know everything.

The proliferation of mobile media in recent years is an international phenomenon, with billions of devices sold annually. Mobile communications are now moving beyond individualized voice to mass media content--text, voice, sound, images, and even video. This will create new types of content that allow media companies and users to interact in new ways. There is a strong interest from the media and telecom industries in what manner of applications and content can be distributed in that fashion, and at what cost. To answer these questions, the book provides 18 chapters from internationally renowned authors. They identify likely types of content such as news, entertainment, peer-to-peer, and location-specific information; evaluate the economics, business models, and payment mechanisms necessary to support these media; and cover policy dimensions such as copyright, competitiveness, and access rights for content providers. This volume takes the reader through the various elements that need to be considered in the development of third generation (3G) content, and explains pitfalls and barriers. The result is a volume of interest to business professionals, academics, and policy makers. The book is international in focus and a glossary of terms is provided. There are few publications available which give an overview of this rapidly changing field.

Filled with fascinating glimpses behind today's financial headlines, Underwriting the Internet is a fast-paced story of one of the most exciting developments that has ever occurred. This comprehensive treatment of the technical advances, financial engineering, and entrepreneurial genius behind the Internet revolution includes actual corporate case studies, stock market analyses, and synopses of regulatory investigations. While focusing on the Internet's commercial development, the author describes the little understood technical and financial areas of the Internet revolution. He shows how the industry set off an investment frenzy built on biased financial research, executive malfeasance, and lax oversight by corporate directors and government agencies that ultimately destroyed the majority of dot-com startups as well as countless investment portfolios across America. Hiraoka analyzes specific events and corporate alliances that contributed to the Internet's development, and compares the startup companies that began operating with questionable business plans that inevitably failed. He covers the anti-trust case against Microsoft; the successes of eBay, Amazon, Yahoo, and Google; "road-kills" along the information highway such as the forgotten eToys; as well as the Enron implosion and other corporate scandals. After tracing this amazing story he concludes that the illegal practices and the ensuing $7 trillion loss in equity markets slowed the Internet revolution but could not snuff it out, and with worldwide economic recovery e-business surges onward.

Filled with fascinating glimpses behind today's financial headlines. "Underwriting the Internet is a fast-paced story of one of the most exciting business developments that has ever occurred. This comprehensive treatment of the technical advances, financial engineering, and entrepreneurial genius behind the Internet revolution includes actual corporate case studies, stock market analyses, and synopses of regulatory investigations. While focusing on the Internet's commercial development, the author describes the little understood technical and financial areas of the Internet revolution. He shows how the industry set off an investment frenzy built on biased financial research, executive malfeasance, and lax oversight by corporate directors and government agencies that ultimately destroyed the majority of dot-com startups as well as countless investment portfolios across America. Hiraoka analyzes specific and corporate alliances that contributed to the Internet's development, and compares the startup companies that began operating with questionable business plans that inevitably failed. He covers the anit-trust case against Microsoft; the successes of eBay, Amazon, Yohoo, and Google; roadkills along the information highway such as the forgotten eToys; as well as the Enron implosion and the other corporate scandals. After tracing this amazing story he concludes that the illegal practices and the ensuing $7 trillion loss in equity markets slowed the Internet revolution but could not snuff it out, and today e-business surges onward.

This title was first published in 2003. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly being recognized as vital to the economic growth and global inclusion and participation of developing countries. This book brings together both academics and practitioners to provide a comprehensive and insightful overview of ICT and development around the world. It examines the role of IT in providing new economic and industrial opportunities, in increasing access to global information and communication, in assisting small cultural and ethnic groups to overcome disadvantages of physical distance and in catalysing initiatives towards democratic decentralization and empowerment of citizens. It also critically appraises major problems such as inappropriate focus and resource allocation, and of missed opportunities. By combining comparative case studies from Africa, South and East Asia, South America and Eastern Europe with theoretical analysis, this volume synthesizes a range of issues related to the evident tensions that exist for developing countries as they try to balance global and local priorities through the adoption and use of ICTs.

Until relatively recently, it was the domestic perspective of business which was the driving force behind information technology applications. But in the age of globalization, there is an increasing need for IT to be more 'global friendly'.
"International" "Business & IT "is a breakthrough text that analyses the relationship between international business operations and information technology. Firstly, it assesses the impact of current developments in IT on the operation of multinational corporations on both a practical and theoretical level and explores how it can improve competitive advantage. Secondly, it investigates how doing business in an international environment affects the design, implementation and management of information systems for global enterprises.
The text offers a much-needed overview of the key trends in IT and global business management, with contributors from the fields of IT, international business, business development and marketing.Taking a multi-disciplinary approach, the text includes unique case studies of global companies to complement and illuminate the theoretical grounding of each chapter and raise the issues that are of real relevance to managers working internationally.
"International Business & IT" is essential reading for academics, students and practitioners working in the fields of IT, International Business and Strategy.

Around the world, citizens in local communities are utilising ICTs to underpin the creation of a participatory and democratic vision of the network society. Embedded in the richness and diversity of community practice, a vision of a 'civil network society' is emerging. A society where ICTs are harnessed as tools to improve the quality of life and reflect the diversity of social networks; where people are viewed as citizens, not just as consumers, and where heterogeneity is perceived as a strength rather than a weakness.
Community Practice in the Network Society looks at the broad context in which this is happening, presents case studies of local projects from around the world, and discusses community ICT research methodologies. Not only does it highlight the symbiotic relationship between community ICT practice and research, but it also provides evidence supporting the case for the development of more inclusive and participatory pathways to the network society.

Around the world, citizens in local communities are utilising ICTs to underpin the creation of a participatory and democratic vision of the network society. Embedded in the richness and diversity of community practice, a vision of a 'civil network society' is emerging. A society where ICTs are harnessed as tools to improve the quality of life and reflect the diversity of social networks; where people are viewed as citizens, not just as consumers, and where heterogeneity is perceived as a strength rather than a weakness.
Community Practice in the Network Society looks at the broad context in which this is happening, presents case studies of local projects from around the world, and discusses community ICT research methodologies. Not only does it highlight the symbiotic relationship between community ICT practice and research, but it also provides evidence supporting the case for the development of more inclusive and participatory pathways to the network society.

The internet could have been purpose-built for fostering the growth of the social movements and citizen initiatives which have had such a significant impact on the political landscape since the 1990s. In "Cyberprotest" the contributors explore the effects of this synergy between ICTs (Information Communication Technologies) and people power, analysing the implications for politics and social policy at both a national and a global level.;Through a number of different international examples answers are sought to questions such as: to what extent and in what forms do social movements use ICTs?; how do new ICTs facilitate new patterns and forms of citizen mobilization?; how does this use affect the relationship between social movements and their members?; how do ICTs change the way social movement organizations communicate with each other?; and how do they affect the way these movements mobilize and intervene in public debates and political conflicts?

In this dynamic book, based on the most effective strategies of IBM and other market leaders, managers will learn to successfully transform their organizations into a business prepared to compete in a networked age.
Mainframes, client servers, PCs, networks, e-business, the Internet, databases, technical management--indeed, in the brave new business world facing today's firms only one thing is certain: change. And when looking for a model for corporate change, one should look no further than IBM. In this decade, IBM has gone from a company with less than $60 billion in unprofitable revenue to a highly profitable $85 billion-plus enterprise. In a company whose major source of revenue was once hardware, services now account for more than a third of its revenue. IBM Global Services, only seven years old and $25 billion strong, draws most of its revenue from helping businesses to do successfully what IBM has done: transform themselves. In five down-to-earth sections, the authors share their vast experience, apply case studies, chart trends and describe in-depth the practices that allowed IBM to transform itself, and to show the way for other firms. The result is an essential handbook for anyone charged with leading their firm in an economy that is global, increasingly reliant on information systems, and teeming with rapidly emerging markets--and competitors.
Written by a staff of experts and renowned business thinkers, Into the Networked Age is today's ultimate guide for success in tomorrow's business world.

The internet could have been purpose-built for fostering the growth of the social movements and citizen initiatives which have had such a significant impact on the political landscape since the 1990s. In "Cyberprotest" the contributors explore the effects of this synergy between ICTs (Information Communication Technologies) and people power, analysing the implications for politics and social policy at both a national and a global level. Through a number of different international examples answers are sought to questions such as: to what extent and in what forms do social movements use ICTs?; how do new ICTs facilitate new patterns and forms of citizen mobilization?; how does this use affect the relationship between social movements and their members?; how do ICTs change the way social movement organizations communicate with each other?; and how do they affect the way these movements mobilize and intervene in public debates and political conflicts?

Until relatively recently, it was the domestic perspective of business which was the driving force behind information technology applications. But in the age of globalization, there is an increasing need for IT to be more 'global friendly'.
"International" "Business & IT "is a breakthrough text that analyses the relationship between international business operations and information technology. Firstly, it assesses the impact of current developments in IT on the operation of multinational corporations on both a practical and theoretical level and explores how it can improve competitive advantage. Secondly, it investigates how doing business in an international environment affects the design, implementation and management of information systems for global enterprises.
The text offers a much-needed overview of the key trends in IT and global business management, with contributors from the fields of IT, international business, business development and marketing.Taking a multi-disciplinary approach, the text includes unique case studies of global companies to complement and illuminate the theoretical grounding of each chapter and raise the issues that are of real relevance to managers working internationally.
"International Business & IT" is essential reading for academics, students and practitioners working in the fields of IT, International Business and Strategy.

This book is about - but not only about - Napster. The story of Napster is important in its own right, but its legacy even more so. The phenomenon that surrounds Napster has highlighted the extraordinary potential for the mass mobilisation of consumer and community power. This irresistible force - the underground Internet - has blown apart conventional models of doing business.

Merriden charts the birth of Napster and its genesis in Internet music communities. He describes in detail how big businesses felt complacent enough to ignore Napster, only to turn on it when the truth about their business models dawned. As the big companies got nasty, Bertelsmann and Thomas Middelhof broke ranks and did a deal with Napster.

The rapid spread in Napster's popularity has made many businesses sit up and notice. And it wasn't just because of the court room battles highlighted by the media every day. Some estimates put the peak number of Napster users at around 58 million. Hard to ignore the cries of the masses. Through the aftermath of those bloody court rooms, Napster has left a lasting impact on the future of e-business. This legacy affects more than music and record companies. In irresistible forces, Trevor Merriden shows how all businesses who have an interest in the Internet should pay attention. The influence on business of file sharing and peer-to-peer technology will be profound in the years ahead.

This is the first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age.
The first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age.
Explores a wide range of topics including marketing, privacy, and the protection of personal information; employees and communication privacy; intellectual property issues; the ethical issues of e-business; Internet-related business ethics problems; and the ethical dimension of information technology on society.
Uncovers previous ignored ethical issues.
Underlines the need for public discussion of the issues.
Argues that computers and information technology have not necessarily developed in the most ethical manner possible.

The 1990s dawned with a belief that the digital revolution would radically transform our traditional notion of cities as places of commerce and industry. Many predicted that digital technology would render cities, or at least their economies, obsolete. Instead, precisely the opposite happened. The IT-intensive firms of the 'new economy' needed to be plugged into a sizeable network of talent, something that established cities like New York and San Francisco provided in abundance. In addition to creating new types of jobs and luring thousands of workers back into the city, new media districts created a new techno-bohemian urban culture. With vignettes of the high-rollers in New York's new media economy and stories of wild parties in downtown lofts, Michael Indergaard introduces us to the players in this new economy, and explores this intersection of commerce and culture in 1992 New York. He also reveals how the dot-com crash laid bare the hidden connections between the so called new economy of new media and the ages old engines of New York wealth: real estate speculators and Wall Street. Chronicling the go-go years and ultimate crash of the new media district, Silicon Alley is a bril

Silicon Valley veterans and newbies alike will want to explore this book that delves into the rich history behind the region that birthed the world's most important industry. Technology journalist Ashlee Vance has captured almost every aspect of the area stretching between San Francisco and San Jose, California, starting with the eager radio and electronics enthusiasts of the early 1900s and ending with the computing powerhouses of today such as Google and Apple. Along the way, the book profiles the people and places that have elevated Silicon Valley to an almost mythic pedestal. This book delivers Silicon Valley, taking us from success story to failed startup and back again as we drive the roads from San Francisco to Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose. It's full of profiles of the larger-than-life characters that pioneered the processor, computer, and Internet revolutions. The book's vibrant design includes "Silicon Valley Soundbytes" packed with insider information and trivia, and "Click Here" sidebars, which suggest places to eat, drink, and shop.Place by place, readers get the inside scoop on all the addresses that count, which include Microsoft research centers; the headquarters of Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Sun Microsystems, and Oracle; research powerhouses such as Stanford University, NASA Ames, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; the Computer History Museum and The Tech Museum; the Shoreline Amphitheater; the Churchill Club; and many more.