Information technology (IT) is a singularly pervasive field; its applications affect people in all walks of life as few technologies do. This nontechnical and realistic overview increases the reader's understanding of the capabilities and limitations of IT. A recognized authority on computers, Laver equips the reader with sufficient information to critically evaluate proposals for new IT uses. He examines the impact of IT in particular areas and assesses its influence on people and communities. The book concludes with an agenda for anyone interested in IT systems.