[Taxacom] Systematics as Cyberscience

[Beach, James H]

At long last, our boisterous mob, duelists, sharpshooters and lurkers of
Taxacom get the attention they are due.  
 
I am delighted to note that Dr. Christine Hine of the University of
Surrey has written and recently published "Systematics as Cyberscience"
subtitled "Computers, Change, and Continuity in Science" (2008, MIT
Press, Cambridge, Mass., x+307 pp.).
 
Several Taxacom subscribers responded to Christine's e-mail to the list
a few years ago asking about your use of Taxacom. As part of a broader
sociological study she has analyzed the role of Taxacom in systematics,
as well as the functions and impacts of other information and
communication technologies (ICTs). Discussion of Taxacom occupies about
20 pages.
 
If you are interested in the sociology of systematics and in particular
how ICTs have been adopted and used within the context of traditional
systematics community practice and norms, you will find this observant,
ethnographic analysis to be an insightful and delightful read.  The book
is perfect for a Sunday afternoon with a cup of tea or a perhaps a large
cappuccino.
 
Amazon has it:
http://www.amazon.com/Systematics-Cyberscience-Computers-Continuity-Tech
nology/dp/026208371X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208452558&sr=8
-2
 
 
Jim B.
_____________________________
James H. Beach
Biodiversity Research Center
University of Kansas
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
T 785 864-4645, F 785 864-5335