We seek to take some initial steps towards a theory of information that is adequate for understanding and designing systems that process information, i.e., information systems in a broad sense. Formal representations of information are needed in designing, using and maintaining such systems, especially when they are computer based. However, it is also necessary to take account of social context, including how information is produced and used, not merely how it is represented; that is, we need a social theory of information. Ideas from ethnomethodology and semiotics, as well as logic and the sociology of science, are used to explore the nature of information.

This paper discusses the relationship between formal, context insensitive information, and informal, situated information, in the context of Requirements Engineering; these opposite but complementary aspects of information are called "the dry" and "the wet." Formal information occurs in the syntactic representations used in computer-based systems. Informal situated information arises in social interaction, for example, between users and managers, as well as in their interactions with systems analysts. Thus, Requirements Engineering has a strong practical need to reconcile the dry and the wet. Following some background on the culture of Computing Science, the paper describes some projects in the Centre for Requirements and Foundations at Oxford. One of these is a taxonomy for Requirements Engineering methods. Another is applying techniques from sociology and sociolinguistics to requirements elicitation, and in particular, to determining the value system of an organisation. These pro...

Public acceptance of automatic milking Literature review on acceptability of and public opinion on automatic milking systems