Richard Harper Knihy

Radical changes in financial organizations are reshaping their processes and supporting technologies. This book explores the application of sociological ethnography to facilitate these transformations, offering insights into work processes and the role of technology. It contrasts ethnography with traditional change methodologies like business process engineering and participative design. Highlighting the benefits of ethnographic research, it aims to guide organizations toward more effective change. The content is relevant for researchers, managers, and advanced students in related fields.

The title of this new book: "The Connected Home" reflects the move away from the idea that smart homes would alter the lives of those living in them by providing technologies to take over tasks that were previously the responsibility of the householder, such as managing entertainment, education - and even eating! Up until around 10 years ago this view was commonplace but time has shown that the technologies to support a smart home have not developed in such a way as to support this premise. Instead, what people do in their homes has moved the concept of a smart home into that of the 'connected home'. The rise of on-line games technologies, video connections via Skype, social networking, internet browsing etc are now an integral part of the home environment and have had a significant effect on the home. The contributors to this exciting new book consider and discuss the effects and ramifications of the connected home from a variety of viewpoints: an examination of the take-up of personal computers and the Internet in domestic situations; an analysis of the changing intersection of technology and human habits in the connected home; the impact of gaming, texting, e-book readers, tablets and other devices and their effect on the social conditions of a household; the relationship between digital messaging applications and real geography; and an overview of how sensing technologies for the smart home might evolve (lightweight medical technologies for example). The book culminates by addressing unfinished ambitions from the smart home agenda, the factors that have prevented their realisation, and addresses the need for extending research into the area

Many wondered, and not for the first time, at the end of WW2 how ordinary people could carry out the most terrible acts of cruelty and brutality against their fellow men. This book tells the story of a German boy and a Jewish girl forbidden to be together by the Nazi regime and how they fight to survive. It tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of the perpetrators and gives the reader an insight into the mental turmoil suffered by young men asked to carry out terrible acts. Can young love possibly survive such times?

This collection of poems explores the concept of lag-time, reflecting on both the joys and struggles of life. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, the poet invites readers to savor the complexities of existence, encouraging a feast of experiences and emotions. The phrase "you crazy diamonds" suggests a celebration of individuality and resilience amidst challenges, making this work a poignant meditation on the human condition.

Welcome to the proceedings of ICEC 2006. We commend the authors who submitted their work, resulting in 95 technical papers: 47 full papers and 48 short papers. A rigorous review process was conducted by 85 international experts from academia and industry, forming the Program Committee. This committee included members from various countries, such as Austria, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. Final decisions were made by the review and conference chairs, based on feedback from at least three reviewers via the conference management tool. Ultimately, 17 full papers and 17 short papers were accepted as submitted or with minor revisions. Additionally, 28 submissions were recommended for revision and presented as posters. This proceedings volume showcases 62 technical contributions from diverse countries, including Belgium, Canada, P. R. China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK, and the USA.