From: Encyclopedia [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: 01 November 2005 20:09
To: Joanne Roberts
Subject: Call for Contribution Proposals

Idea Group Reference

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTION PROPOSALS
**** Encyclopaedia of Portal Technology and Applications ****

Editor: Arthur Tatnall
Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia [log in to unmask]

INVITED PROPOSALS
Although I have now received a good number of proposals from the earlier
call, as this is to be an encyclopaedia with a considerable number of
entries, I still need more high quality articles (1500-3500 words) on
one or more of the suggested topics (- see below) and am still looking
for additional proposals. 

Those interested in contributing should prepare a proposal of no more
than one page and forward this to the editor, Arthur Tatnall
([log in to unmask]) **** no later than 11th November 2005.****
Please also include the following: 
    Name, affiliation and contact information
    Co-author names and affiliations
    Objective, coverage and contribution of the proposed article
    Any relevant additional information you would like to provide.

You will be notified about the status of your proposal by 18th November
2005.  Upon acceptance of your proposal, you will be sent guidelines for
preparation of your contribution, along with 7-10 related terms and
their appropriate definitions. Final articles will be due by 10th
January 2006. 

The encyclopaedia is scheduled for publication by Idea Group Reference
(an imprint of Idea Group Inc.), www.idea-group-ref.com, in the second
half of 2006.

ENCYLOPAEDIA OF PORTAL TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS The encyclopaedia
aims to provide comprehensive coverage and definitions of the most
important issues, concepts, trends and technologies relating to portals.
This important new publication will be distributed worldwide among
academic and professional institutions and will be instrumental in
providing researchers, scholars, students and professionals with access
to the latest knowledge relating to portals.  Contributions to the
publication will be made by scholars with notable research portfolios
and expertise, throughout the world. All contributions will be peer
reviewed. The Encyclopaedia of Portal Technology and Applications will
provide a compendium of terms, definitions and explanations of concepts,
processes and acronyms. Additionally this volume will feature shorts
articles (1500-3500) authored by leading experts, and offering an
in-depth description of key terms and concepts.

In general terms a portal can be simply considered as a gateway, and a
Web portal can thus be seen as a gateway to the information and services
on the Web (- more specifically to services on both the public Internet
and on corporate intranets). The topic of Web portals is a diverse one
as there are many different types of portal and many and varied uses to
which they can be put. The term portal is difficult to define precisely,
and takes on a somewhat different meaning depending on the viewpoint of
the stakeholder. What is unique about the portal is the way that these
special web sites are now being used to facilitate access to other sites
that may be closely related, in the case of special purpose portals, or
quite diverse in the case of general portals. What is also new is that
the marketeers have discovered the portal concept and its advertising
potential. A Google search of the Web in May 2005 revealed 170 million
entries for the word 'portal'. Even allowing for a considerable degree
of overlap and misuse, portals are seen everywhere and it would be
difficult to make any use of the Web without encountering one. The study
of portals also spans a bewildering range of topics and interest areas.

It is only four or five years ago that the concept of Web portals began
to mature, and prior to this time little mention of portals appeared in
textbooks or academic papers. Recently, however, portals are being
discussed in many contexts to the extent that it would now be difficult
to work in any IT related field without having come across them. In such
an emerging and ever-evolving field teachers, researchers and
professionals need access to the most current information about
concepts, issues, trends and technologies, and that is the purpose of
this encyclopaedia. 
Possible topics include (but are not restricted to):
*
* The nature and concept of portals
* Classification of types of portals
* Definitions of portals
* How portals work
* Portal technology
* Underlying technology
* Portals and portlets
* Portal software
* Portal vendors
* Designing a portal
* Portal implementation
* Benefits (and drawbacks) of portals
* Commercial exploitation of portals
* Models and standards
* Portal case studies
* Integration into enterprises
* Enterprise portals (intranet)
* Enterprise information portals
* Corporate portals
* Employee portals
* Human resource portals
* General portals
* Community portals
* Regional portals
* Industry portals
* Vertical portals
* Horizontal portals
* E-marketplace (sales) portals
* Promotional portals
* Project portals
* Education portals
* Academic portals
* Health portals
* Knowledge management portals
* Decision support portals
* Government portals
* National portals
* Not-for-profit organisation portals
* Information portals
* Library portals
* Digital library portals
* Entertainment portals
* Sport portals
* Niche portals
* Pocket portals - mobile technology
* Other portal applications
* Portals and advertising
* Portals and marketing
* Factors affecting adoption of portals
* The portal as an innovation
* Socio-technical nature of portals
* History / beginnings of portals
* Death of the portal?
* The future of portals


I also encourage you to consider other topics that have not been
included in this suggested list, particularly if the topic is related to
the research area in which you have expertise.  


Arthur Tatnall (PhD), Associate Professor, Victoria University,
Australia
([log in to unmask]) 

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