C12. Rice,
R. E. (1987). Challenges facing research on wired cities. In W. Dutton,
J.
Blumler, & K. Kraemer (Eds.), Wired cities: Shaping the future
of
communications (pp. 447-455). Boston, MA: G. K. Hall and Co.
The preceding case studies and conceptual
overviews of wired cities reveal
considerable diversity. This diversity includes the technologies
implemented
and discussed, the research approaches, the political foundations, the
criteria
for success and the population of users in the wired cities as well as
the
users of the case study reports. We should, of course, celebrate this
range
of interests and foci. But such differences as exist are not always
made
explicit, nor in fact do they include all the possible approaches that
might
be useful. This chapter responds briefly to these two points; it will
suggest
that certain assumptions or emphases be made more explicit, and that
certain
topics be considered in future research on advanced wired cities. In
particular,
it will concentrate on two sets of variables--the analytical
perspective
taken and measures of quality of life--that would expand research
activities,
and three variables--success, interactivity and information--that
require
more explicit definitions.
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