Paradigm Shift: The New Promise of Information Technology

NON FICTION BOOK REVIEW  

260 words

Title: Paradigm Shift: The New Promise of Information Technology;  
by Don Tapscott and Art Caston; McGraw-Hill Inc.; Hardcover; 
339 pages; $34.95

Reviewer: A.T.Connellan, "Tapscott and Caston point out that those 
who don't pay heed to the coming changes will be left dancing the 
charleston in high button shoes." 

Shift road maps the new economy

Don't be fooled by the title, this is no spy novel. In simple language 
it is the Pattern Change in the use of information technology that is 
critically important to survival in the new economy. Nuala [Shifting 
Gears] Beck, and Dian [No Small Change] Cohen, both reviewed 
here recently, wrote the overview of the evolution to this new economy. 
They left the textbook to Messrs. Tapscott and Caston. 

At times the authors obfuscate their message with excessive esoteric 
techno-language/terminology. If you got through that sentence, you'll 
probably be alright because the book is designed for non Information 
System executives and professionals, and is structured so sensibly 
that even we non techies can find our way. The 12 chapters are in 3 
Parts, each of which is " road-mapped " with an explanatory introduction, 
and if you look to the index as a glossary, you won't get lost. 

Most of us are familiar with the growth of Information Technology and 
its place in the computer driven business development of the past 20 
years. The authors refer to this period as Era 1, and with that as a 
starting point, they track the trend to Era 2, and beyond, with reasoned 
clarity, and sound research. 
          
Tapscott and Caston provide a series of sensible cautions  to those 
planning to upgrade, integrate, or purchase new systems, pointing out 
the pitfalls in non-open systems, and clarifying the essential aspects 
in the trend to open systems. Those who don't pay heed will be left 
dancing the charleston in high button shoes.