The IST Programme is one of the five thematic programmes under the European Commission's Fifth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development , 1998-2002. It brings together and extends activities under the former ACTS, Esprit and Telematics Applications programmes to provide a single, integrated programme reflecting the convergence of information processing, communications and media.
Electronic publishing is perceived as electronic mail, video -games and the Web.
Behind this relatively limited facade, however, a revolution is taking shape, with the creation of a vast range of multimedia and audio-visual products and services based on the digitization of information. Future publishing systems will embody new forms and combinations of content, providing users with increased choice, control and new levels of interactivity. The success of such services will depend crucially on applications development and testing with real users in order to understand and tackle the problems of access, usability, inter-operability and scalability. The essence of this change is that it will create new opportunities for authors, producers, publishers and users. Authors and producers will create content in new forms that enhance the impact and usability of the information, improve the quality of experience for the user and generally improve communication processes.