Information technology

Summary This paper describes some of today's important information handling products and attempts to predict tomorrows devices in the light of convergence and greater flexibility offered through the use of microchip technology.The main contention of this paper is that Information Technology and its impact on privacy depends, as ever, on the way in which Information Systems are used. It is argued that the privacy issue is more to do with moral and physiological attitudes within society than the technicalities of implementation.As a conclusion, the paper asks that we should define standards and exercise vigilance in the maintenance of those standards. In addition, it recognises that attitudes to privacy will almost certainly change with time and that this should be regarded as a healthy and natural occurrence.Roger Reynolds has worked in the computer industry for 18 years and has experience in both hardware design and systems development. He has been employed in ICL for the last 5 years and has been deeply involved with the development of communications and Information Technology within this company.Previously he worked on a project designed to integrate various activities in the health service. This involved the development of computer based systems connected together by telecommunications.This article represents a personal view by Mr Reynolds and it is hoped that it will stimulate further thought and understanding in the development of future technologies.