Interoperability of Cross-Border European Egovernment Services: Some Design Issues

The authors analyse some of the research outcomes achieved during the implementation of the EC GUIDE research project “Creating an European Identity Management Architecture for eGovernment”, as well as their personal experience. The project goals and achievements are however considered in a broader context. The key role of Identity in the Information Society was emphasised, that the research and development in this field is in its initial phase. The scope of research related to Identity, including the one related to Identity Management and Interoperability of Identity Management Systems, is expected to be further extended. The authors analyse the abovementioned issues in the context established by the EC European Interoperability Framework (EIF) as a reference document on interoperability for the Interoperable Delivery of European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Business and Citizens (IDABC) Work Programme. This programme aims at supporting the pan-European delivery of electronic government services.

Integrated and Personalized Digital Information Services

Digital information services are gradually becoming integrated with other systems and services such as library automation systems, student information services, and electronic learning systems. Users demand seamless access to a multitude of digital information services without leaving their desktop computers. They prefer using systems that recognize them when they log on, acknowledge their rights and privileges, and thus provide personalized information services. This paper summarizes the recent developments concerning integrated and personalized digital information services. It first emphasizes the role of the Internet in providing information services and then goes on to discuss the integration and personalization issues by emphasizing their importance for digital information services.

Agent-Oriented Middleware Supporting Delivery of Mobile Elearning Services

Within project Distributed eLearning Center (DeLC) we are developing a system for distance and eLearning, which offers fixed and mobile access to electronic content and services. Mobile access is based on InfoStation architecture, which provides Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. On InfoStation network we are developing multi-agent middleware that provides context-aware, adaptive and personalized access to the mobile services to the users. For more convenient testing and optimization of the middleware a simulation environment, called CA3 SiEnv, is being created.