Advances in information technology are changing the way we record history, communicate with others, entertain ourselves, and conduct business. As these increasingly more sophisticated tools and applications have become an integral part of our personal lives, they have also had a profound impact on larger aspects of society, in fields as diverse as education, medicine, commerce and law. To better navigate this interdependent information universe, it is vital to understand the nature and operation of these technical systems and tools as well as the ethical, cultural and societal issues related to them.