Violations:  

"All the chemical and energy activities in a body (or a society)
have a word for their sum action -- 'metabolism' -- but there's
no equivalent word for the sum of communications in a system. 
The lack of a word signals a deeper ignorance.  We don't know
what constitutes healthy communications." (Brand, 1988)

As society becomes more interconnected by virtue of massive
information networks and shared databases, the danger of
information corruption increases dramatically.  The threat of
proliferating software viruses represents the darkest side of
electronic information exchange.  Precautionary measures dictate
that the individual user, as well as the systems operator,
religiously maintain standards that will guard against system
corruption and data loss.  Information sources should be checked
before entry into the system, and data integrity should be
corroborated.  It is critical to backup (archive) information
resources and to routinely maintain the backup system.  These
standards are intended to guard against both the intentional and
accidental compromise of system integrity, and to ensure the
optimal responsiveness of the system in fulfilling design
parameters.

The whole of the process is analogous to sailing.  A considerable
interactive effort is required to attain an objective in variable
winds and treacherous waters.  With the activities of trimming
sheets, piloting, identifying hazards, selecting a course, and
adding or reducing sail occurring above and below decks, a
concomitant effort to reduce the clutter generated by systems
operation is essential.  Maintaining a shipshape vessel ensures
the capability to respond quickly and efficiently to navigational
problems, opportunities, and desires.  If the attempt to master
the winds fail completely, a motor constitutes a sensible, and
welcome, backup system.  An attitude that demonstrates the same
degree of care and common sense towards electronic information
technologies will be amply rewarding.

<ffile19>   Cautions
<ffile27>   Blind Faith