International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM) - Volume 3, Special Issue 2: "Technical Basics", October 2009


GUEST EDITORIAL 
 

Guest Editorial 
doi:10.3991/ijim.v3s2.1128 

 

Computer technology has greatly advanced over the last 30 years. The early 1980s, for 

example, witnessed the introduction of “stand alone” personal computers at schools and in 

the workplace. The mid 1980s saw the mass introduction of local access networks 

providing service to very limited areas. The early 1990s saw the introduction of the Internet 

and expanded network capacity and range, especially due to fiber optics. Wireless 

technology was beginning to rapidly expand, particularly in the area of 

telecommunications. The last years of the 1990s witnessed the increased relevance of the 

internet and of wireless technologies.   

 
The early 21st century, however, has seen a remarkable increase of social networking, 

online learning and wireless communications and information technologies. Presently, as 

well as in the near future, wireless technologies will play an increasingly important role in 

mobile and ubiquitous computing applications in the areas of health, education, public  

safety, law enforcement, disaster preparedness, mitigation and management, traffic 

control, ecology, as well as military applications, just to name a few. Today, being 

communicated by mobile telephone or internet is an essential part of “belonging” on a 

social level and “participating” in what has become an extremely fluid and 

intercommunicated worldwide workplace. However, new challenges are each day 

attracting the focus of researchers. 

 

The scope of The International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies is to focus on 

the exchange of relevant trends and research, present practical experiences gained, and 

discuss fundamentals and applications related to interactive mobile technologies. This 

special issue deals with such challenges. For example, maintaining the consistent state of 

mobile databases in mobile environments is an important issue that needs to be 

addressed. Another important challenge is the hand over process between wireless 

systems such as Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular and WiMAX networks. On the other hand, there 

are also hostile or inaccessible environments which require wireless technologies to 

monitor and control physical and chemical variables.  

 

4 http://www.i-jim.org

http://dx.doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v3s2.1128�


GUEST EDITORIAL 
 

These important issues, among others, are presented in papers submitted to this special 

edition of The International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies. In this way, we 

maintain iJIM as a relevant international journal that contributes to the dissemination of 

information and promotes research in mobile interactive technologies that are relevant 

today and vital to our future. 

 

 

The Guest Editor: 

 

Prof. Arthur Edwards Block 
Facultad de Telemática 

Universidad de Colima 

Mexico 

 

 

 

iJIM – Volume 3, Special Issue 2: Technical Basics, October 2009 5