Revised Definition

["Gregg Vanderheiden" <po@trace.wisc.edu>]

Here is the Definition worked out at today's meeting.

Gregg
-- ------------------------------
Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D.
Professor - Human Factors
Dept of Ind. Engr. - U of Wis.
Director - Trace R & D Center
Gv@trace.wisc.edu, http://trace.wisc.edu/
FAX 608/262-8848
For a list of our listserves send "lists" to listproc@trace.wisc.edu




Draft Definition
Electronic and Information Technology
1/4/99

Preamble:

-  It is understood that Electronics and Information Technology addresses a
broader spectrum than Information Technology alone, and includes the full
breath of the information environment of the future.

- It is understood that the intent of Section 508 was to ensure that
government employees and the public have access to the government's
information environment as it evolves.

- It is understood that the information environment that is evolving is
something that we only imperfectly understand today but that it will include
(but not be restricted to) the acquisition, creation, translation,
duplication, manipulation, storage,  management, movement, control, display,
switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of information in a broad
range of forms including voice, graphics, text, and data structures of all
types both on a real time basis (e.g. conversation, communication,
interaction) and delayed presentation basis (e.g. information serving,
publishing etc.)

- It is understood that the definition of "Electronic and Information
Technology" in Section 508 was meant to address the future and be broader
than but consistent with (completely includes) the definition of
"Information Technology" put forth by Clinger Cohen Act of 1996 including
the exclusion for national security equipment.


Definitions:

The term "Electronic and Information Technology" shall mean electronic
technology that is used in carrying out information activities, involving
any form of information, where:

a)	"Electronic Technology" includes but is not limited to equipment,
hardware, computers, software, firmware and similar procedures, systems,
ancillary technologies, technologies which cause content to be active in any
way, documentation, services (including support services) and related
resources.  It includes subsystems, interconnections, and interconnected
systems.

b)	"Information Activities" include, but are not limited to, the creation,
translation, duplication, serving, acquisition, manipulation, storage,
management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange,
transmission, or reception of data or information.    Information activities
include delayed presentation activities such as information servers and
messaging systems as well as synchronous, real-time  communication
activities.

c)	"Any Form of Information" includes, but is not limited to, voice,
graphics, text, dynamic content, and data structures of all types whether
they are in electronic, visual, auditory, optical or any other form.

Definition1-4-99.doc