Standardisation Processes in IT: Impact, Problems and Benefits of User Participation (XProfessional Computing) - Softcover

Jakobs, Kai

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3528056894 ISBN 13: 9783528056896

Publisher: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag, 1999

Synopsis

2. 1 Standards and Standardisation in IT -A General Overview The process of standardisation cannot be regarded as a simple, one­ dimensional activity required to lay down technical rules and guidelines, taking place in a removed world of its own. Rather, it must be considered in conjunction with the environment within which it takes place. Very different facets need to be taken into account when trying to actually understand this process. Even if we disregard social, moral and religious rules for the moment, standards -still in a very general sense -have been with us for quite some time: about 5,000 years ago the first alphabets emerged, enabling completely new forms of communication and information storage. Some 2,500 years later, the first national, coin-based currency, invented by the Lydians, established the basis for easier inter-regional and even international trading. The industrial revolution in the 18th century and, more so, the advent of the railroad in the 19th century resulted in a need for technical standards, which was once more reinforced when mass production generated a demand for interchangeable parts. In parallel, the invention of the electric telegraph in 1837 triggered the development of standards in the field of electrical communication technology. In 1865, the International Telegraph Union -to become the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1932 -was founded by twenty states. The other major international standards setting body, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), was established in 1947.

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Kai Jakobs arbeitet als Leitender Systemtechniker am Lehrstuhl für Informatik IV der RWTH Aachen.

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Kai is with the Technical Staff of Aachen University's (RWTH) Computer Science
Department, and holds a PhD in Computer Scienceform the University of
Edinburgh.

Edition details

• Publisher: Vieweg+Teubner Verlag
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3528056894
• ISBN 13: 9783528056896
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264