The main objectives of the Action were to study and analyse ICTs usage and users, with emphasis on communication, in order to increase knowledge of how and why a person incorporates or rejects ICT products and services into his/her daily life. The Action coordinated a high level of multidisciplinary activity in this area. It has brought together an eclectic group from different disciplines in the social sciences and engineering. A specific highlight was the conference “Good Bad Irrelevant”, held on 3-5 September 2003 in Helsinki, with around 150 attendees. It brought together a range of researchers from around the world, who as well as delivering their own work, were challenged to identify the priorities for future research (see http://goodbad.uiah.fi). In the discussion forum a delegate concluded: “the Good Bad Irrelevant is one of most interesting events I attended ….I hope the good, the bad, and the irrelevant in information systems would remain a concern for the conference. If future conferences should help to enhance the good of information systems, transform the bad of the information systems, and drop the irrelevant, it will be wonderful”. Throughout the Action dissemination activity was high and a number of papers were published (see www.cost269.org). The final report of the Action will comprise the publication of at least two books, now under preparation.
