IS, which include Boolean functions, involve any number of variables whose values and judgments are binary. Given that human users are the "consumers" of IS systems and applications, integrating human intelligence into systems that are artificial is a critical task which IS professionals must address. While various software systems which integrate humans as part of the enabling technologies of the Web and more limited Intranets have been developed, what is missing is a kind of broadly applicable program language and hardware platform which allows IS users to more freely from one kind of database or system to another.
In this context, Gregory (1997) has pointed out that the commonplace use of computers has revolutionized the world of information and that developing ways of making information both accessible and useful to human beings is vitally important. IS, therefore, is the bridge between the technocrats and the people or organizations which are users of technological systems. All too often, today's sophisticated electronic technologies have been developed by technically competent and proficient systems designers and engineers without adequate attention to how the systems will be used by ordinary human actors. This is the issue with which IS must deal in coming years if the IT revolution is to be more effective as a communication medium than it is today.
A second issue of significance is related to emerging information standards. Travis (1998) has noted that many different groups are attempting to create appropriate standards for use by information professionals who are working to create and deliver information and information products. Standards vary from one industry to another, and different groups have pursued different goals as they develop hardware and software systems for their own specialization. Given that IS is becoming increasingly reliant upon the Internet - and even that Intranets must be able to interac...