THE CLAIMS, PRE-HISTORY AND PROGRAMME OF HISTORICAL INFORMATICS

Abstract

In the present state of the development of the different branches of informatics there is a need to turn toward historical approach. Within historical science as a possible way of renewal there is a need a self-sufficient study of the history of information systems. 'The comprehensive and genuine historical works with information and knowledge centered starting point did not create schools, but remained as a trend on the periphery while the demand of individual examination of single information systems created a whole range of 'auxiliary sciences'. The two fields by now have piled up such an extensiye material that its arrangement seems only possible within a unified attitude and concept system: to create this one has to seek help from the 'meta-historic' fellow sciences - (cognitive- and social) psychology, (cultural) anthropology, communication theory, semiotics, linguistics, cultural) anthropology, communication theory, semiotics, linguistics, (knowledge) sociology. To form the contextual base of historical informatics the follov;ing tasks have to he considered: (a) the separation of the strictly speaking inyestigc.ted area, (b) the construction of an accurate and consistent concept-system, (c) constructicn of a model systeln applicable to an event of world history of any place or time, (cl) proof of the model'.applicability on a few chosen examples, (e) assembling the typologies and cadastres of information systems of the world history so far, (f) formut?"tion of 'Historical Informal ic:' laws' similarly to laws concerning the operation of economy, that exploit the kinetic laws and quality of trends of information systems.