ABSTRACT
It is rare to have the opportunity for reflection; to learn from the past, but perhaps more interestingly, to speculate as to the future. The pleasure of editing this volume is that I can do just that; through the considered selection of chapters, I have been able to draw on a set of themes, and associated issues, which provide an essentially personal view of the state of GI research and technology. Through this volume, two common themes will be echoed; namely, turning data into useful information and the importance of new technology.
