Perspectives on Information

Magnus Ramage is a Lecturer in the Communication and Systems Department at The Open University, where he researches and teaches on the nature of information, online collaboration and the history of systems thinking. He is co-author of Systems Thinkers (2009) and Online Communication and Collaboration: A Reader (Routledge, 2010).David Chapman is a Senior Lecturer at The Open University. Previously a practicing engineer at Plessey Telecommunications, he now researches and teaches on the nature of information, ICTs, and ICTs and society. He is co-author of Digital Signal Transmission (1992) and blogs about information at intropy.co.uk.

• 1. Introduction. Magnus Ramage and David Chapman 2. Competing Models of Information in the History of Cybernetics. Magnus Ramage 3. ‘The Information Revolution’: Taking a Long View. Chris Bissell 4. Information, Meaning and Context.David Chapman 5. Signs and Signals. John Monk 6. Fundamentals of Information: Purposeful Activity, Meaning and Conceptualisation. Sue Holwell 7. Using Information (and Exformation) to Inform Action. Paul Lefrere 8. Information and Libraries: Impact of Web 2.0. Juanita Foster-Jones 9. Three Principles of Information Flow: Conversation as a Dialogue Game. Paul Piwek 10. Quantum Information. Tony Nixon 11. Information Policy Making: Developing the Rules of the Road for the Information Society (Or the Anatomy of a Digital Economy Act) Ray Corrigan 12. Conclusion. David Chapman and Magnus Ramage