Withfour inspiringconferencesthattookplaceinClaremont,Pasadena,Atlanta and Philadelphia, the International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology (DESRIST) has developed into a premier conferencefordesign-orientedresearchinInformationSystems.Becomingatruly global conference series, DESRIST was held in St.Gallen, Switzerland, in 2010. DESRIST2010broughttogetherresearchersandpractitionersengagedindesign science research from all over the world to provide global perspectives on both design science and design research in the broadest sense. The design science research paradigm has been discussed thoroughly in - centyearsandisnowgaininggroundfor bothbuildingknowledgeandimproving practice in information systems and several related disciplines. As opposed to naturalandsocialresearch,designresearchdoesnotcraveultimatetruths,grand theories or general laws, but seeks to identify and understand real-world pr- lems and propose appropriate, useful solutions. It is commonly believed that design research involves building, investigating and evaluating innovative ar- facts such as constructs, frameworks, models, methods, and information system instantiations in order to solve practicalproblems. Moreover,the study of me- ods, behaviours, and best practices related to the problem analysis and artefact development process are encompassed - commonly referred to as design science. Anongoingdebaterelatedtothenature,scopeanddominantideologiesofdesign science research, however, shows that the paradigm is still emerging. Its core, its boundaries and its interplay with other research approaches are increasingly being revealed and de?ned. The topical theme of DESRIST 2010 is "Global Perspectives on Design S- ence Research". Once more, the DESRIST conference successfully serves as a forum for raising and discussing new ideas in the area of design science research.

"1+1=3. That is the equation that summarizes the theme of this book. The book's message is to integrate the developmental principles of Agile with the result-focused approaches integral to performance consulting. Your outcomes in shaping human performance will be significant--and greater than if you only used one of these models. This is a book for anyone who seeks to work collaboratively with leaders to bring about continuously improving and sustainable organizational change." --Dana Gaines Robinson, coauthor of Performance Consulting Agile Performance Improvement demonstrates the mutual benefits that accrue to the worlds of performance consulting and agile software development when the values and principles of both are blended synergistically under the guidance of practitioners skilled in both. The agile performance improvement model blends the principles of human performance technology with the frameworks and practices of Agile. The result is an approach that maximizes the value of interactions among the consultant, the work team, and the customer. Unlike traditional end-to-end waterfall processes, agile performance improvement delivers value continuously and in small increments, relentlessly focusing on outcomes of value to the customer. Building on structures of Agile that are used in software development, such as Scrum, the agile performance improvement model considers the human component of holistic solutions in establishing a continuous stream of value. Bob Winter, a performance consultant, was the product owner for the corporate education scrum supporting an agile transition initiative for hundreds of engineering teams. From this cross-disciplinary experience, he discovered that the two cultures, two languages, and two methodologies of performance consulting and agile software development are-far from being incongruent, incompatible, or irrelevant to each other-in fact ideally suited to complement and support each other. Being agile improves the effectiveness of the performance consultant, and applying the lessons of human performance technology improves the effectiveness of software development teams. In Agile Performance Improvement, Winter teaches performance consultants how to apply agile principles, values, and methods usefully to the tasks of optimizing human performance in areas of practice not only adjoining but also well beyond the realm of software and IT engineering, such as corporate learning solutions, human resources systems, and non-software products. Conversely, he shows engineering teams immersed in an agile environment how to boost their performance using the principles and techniques taught and cultivated by performance consultants. The author, who has worked extensively on both sides of the traditional divide, recounts entertainingly but informatively how both sparks and fur can fly when geeks encounter people people.

Five-year-old Tim Jacobson's life takes a sudden turn when he is separated from his infant sister and is taken to live with his aunt, uncle and two children. Deprived of love and comfort while growing up, the boy feels alienated, always the outsider. Blessed with athletic ability and nick-named the Omaha Kid, Tim turns to sports as his salvation. While professional baseball and later tennis become the backdrop of the story, like "Friday Night Lights," "The Tennis Partner" and "The Art of Fielding" complex characters and themes are found between the covers. The Adventures of the Omaha Kid's odyssey takes him to a world of adventure, romance and travel. Can he avoid the sirens' calls' to find love and a place to call home. Danger lurks just over the next horizon.

A Reflection on My Letters Home During the Second World War By Iola Hitt

A group of young people must find their place in a society where the social and sexual morals are evolving due to the Vietnam War, Woodstock and the "Summer of Love in San Francisco." The college students form a bond of friendship to face adversity and to succeed as students.

I asked my Dad if he was going to see the movie "Bugsy." He repled "I knew the SOB when he was alive. I certainly don't want to see him now that he is dead." This son of a Jewish immigrant delt with gangsters, the Depression and World War II. "This is the best way to learn history from stories. A great book." Crystal Beach, former history student "I loved this book I wanted more. Anastasia Furman, Russian exchange student "Bob has a great story telling ability and a wonderful way of expressing it through his characters" Ken Klein, Author