Understanding Information Systems: What They Do and Why We Need Them

Citation

Preston, H. (2008), "Understanding Information Systems: What They Do and Why We Need Them", Library Management, Vol. 29 No. 8/9, pp. 792-793. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120810917404

The field of information systems in organisations of all types, including information services, has been well rehearsed over the last 20 years with a tremendous acceleration of interest and development of principles within the last ten.

The title of this book suggests that it aims to act as a basic text on the subject, with an attempt to enhance our understanding of the complexities of system design and implementation. However, this is very definitely not the case and is a very partial indication of its content (only the first two pages of the text a six page chapter later on). Based on title alone, it would be an unsuitable purchase. However, its content and most notably, its approach to its topics are remarkable. It is a highly idiosyncratic computer science/mathematical textbook with only a very partial attempt to link its mathematics to information system principles. As such, its intended market is uncertain despite the statements in the Introduction. In fact, it will appeal to many people, with its eclectic range of topics. Ratzan's own background demonstrates this same sort of diverse but “engaged” way of thinking. It is not a core textbook for information systems students, but is an entertaining supplement.

The bibliography provides an immediate guide to content by drawing the reader's attention to sources that one would seldom (never?) expect to find in a text on information systems. Traditional mathematics and computer science texts (mostly US in origin, some UK ones but very few from elsewhere), appear alongside surprises including Ian Fleming, Tom Lehrer, Edgar Allan Poe and J.K. Rowling. Classical philosophers accompany baseball sports associations and comedians such as Abbott and Costello. On investigating the content itself, the reason becomes clear. The text is fundamentally a, “good read”; clever but entertaining, sometimes uproariously so. Often appearing to be something of a stage for the author's quixotic intelligence and wit rather than for systems relevance, it is nevertheless engrossing. It is a good introduction to some of the more abstract levels of mathematics and the science of computers for those who wish to study them with their feet firmly on the ground. Bibliometrics mix with the paradoxes of Zeno, binary notation with the language of the Navajo tribe and Vivaldi with Fibonacci. The construction of the index is thorough but cannot hope to reflect the amazing range of topics.

The writing style is varied. Text, tables, and bullet‐points provide both content and format as they should. However, the staccato sentence construction requires some familiarity, with three‐word sentences appearing frequently and often in a lengthy sequence throughout a paragraph or entire section of a chapter. Illustrative examples appear in a constant barrage of analogy and anecdote; again mostly US‐ and UK‐based.

Overall, highly enjoyable and challenging. Some examples are drawn from the library/information service but only in the same sense that it uses analogies from many other aspects of human and non‐human activity.