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Vol. 13

Editorial Committee

No. 4

NISSATNEWSLETTER

Oct.-Dec. 1994

Dr A. LahiriJt. Adviser (NISSAT)Department of Scientific & Industrial ResearchNew Delhi-110016.

(Smt) S. RavindranDept. of Scientific & Industrial ResearchNew Delhi-110016.

ShriB.G. Sunder SinghDept. of Scientific & Industrial ResearchNew Delhi-110016.Prof. R.G. GuptaDean, School of Computer and Systems SciencesJNU, President, Society for Information ScienceNew Delhi-110067.

DrS. Mallick, SecretarySociety for Information ScienceEMR Division, HRD GroupCSIR, CSIR ComplexNew Delhi-110012.

Shri H.C. Jain, TreasurerSociety for Information ScienceHead, Technical Information ServicesPID, New Delhi-110012.

Editor: Ram D. Taneja

Editorial Office: S-371, Greater Kailash-INew Delhi-110048.

01994 DSIR, New Delhi.

Published by the Society for Information Science onbehalf of National Information System for Science &Technology (NISSAT)DSIR, Government of IndiaTechnology BhawanNew Delhi-110016.

NISSAT Newsletter, published quarterly, is the officialorgan of NISSAT, and is aimed at disseminating infor-mation concerning programmes, activities andachievements ot NISSAT as also of the variouscentres functioning under it. Additionally, it attempts toproject major developments in the field of informationscience at national and international levels.Communications concerning the Newsletter may beaddressed to Dr A. Lahiri, Jt. Adviser (NISSAT), De-partment of Scientific & Industrial Research, Govern-ment of India, Technology Bhawan, New MehrauliRoad, New Delhi-110016. Material published in theNewsletter can be reproduced with due acknowledge-ment to the source.

PGI in Peril?So tar traditional Ibraries and archives have bean dominant in

information •nrwrfo In developing countries. Information products andservices were designed as input only to research and education Inscience and technology, social sciences and humanities. This kind otinformation accounted foe a small traction ot the global informationmarket Contrary to papular belief, library and information scientists nowcomttuW only • tiny segment of information buyers community. On thewhole, th* gap between information capabilities of the developed anddeveloping economies has been ever widening. Osvekjping countries arenow hop«le«»ry dependent upon imports of information; adoption,adaptation and absorption of modem information technologies are also Ina low key.

Had the UNISIST programme been Implemented in right earnest,such a crisis situation would not have arisen In the first place. Surprisinglythe UNISIST National Committees continue to exist in many countrieswhile its proponent UNESCO dropped the banner on the way long back.In other words, this may imply that these countries still feel that theUNISIST objectives are worth pursuing even today, and the banner couldstill attract information players to rally around.

To make matters worse, UNESCO mooted a proposal to dispersethe activities ol the General Information Programme coming under theCommunication Information and Informatics Division to the subject basedprogrammes like science, social science and education.

It is true that lor any acHvtty, whether in the science sector, socialscience sector or the education Sector, Information constitutes the mostvital input. At the same time, R to also true that the users ol informationneed not necessarily be Information specialists or information managers.Involvement of true professionals Is essential to run an informationprogramme. Further. In a mix up with a subject Cased programme, thereis a likelihood that information related activities would be given a prioritymuch lower than is their due. The success of the AST1NFO programme inSouth East Asia at the Pacrfic coming under the PGI In contrast to theRINSCA programme belonging to the science sector would rive home thepoint.

There was also a suggestion to the effect that the programmehandling methodologies, tools and techniques like the CDS/ISIS andI DAMS would have an identity separate from those using them We nevealso seen how these activities had suffered in Die past when transferredto the General Administration handling the pay and pension accounting.Only at the strong intervention of the Inter-Governmental Council for thePGI. the activities were reassigned back to POI to yield marked results.

Many member countries opposed the move, and wanted the PGI toretain its existing identity and continuation of the role the Inter-Govemmental Council had been playing In programming and monitoringPGI activities.

The Executive Board ol UNESCO finally decided to constitute anIndependent expert group to advise the Director General UNESCO onactions deemed necessary especially In view of the increasing synergyamong communication, information and informatics at the conceptual andat the applications level. The exact terms of reference are not known andso is the composfDcn of the group-except that the chairperson of both theInter-Governmental Council and the expert group would be the sameIndMdual, and that the recommendations of the expert group would besubmitted to the DG Unesco directly and not through the mechanism ofthe Inter-Governmental Council.

Formation of the Expert Group Is welcome so long as the Groupcould take due cognizance of the conditions prevailing in the developingcountries and suggest necessary measures to meet their aspiratiQns.Besides, the member countries should hava the prerogative to decide onthe final programme design and to Implementation.

The next one year would be crucial view of the fact that thedeveloping countries have been deriving lignlftcant Inputs and conceptualand methodological support from ttie UNESCO for the development ofnational information infrastructure.

— A. Uhiri

NISSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 4, 1994

NISSAT

NEWSLETTER

Vol. 13 No. 4 Oct.-Dec. 1994

CONTENTS

PGI in Peril? 1

National Meet of CD-ROM/Online Users, Madras 3

Information Today & Tomorrow: Information Industry-User Promotion Interaction —Curtain Raiser n

The Tokyo Resolution on Strategic Alliance of International NGO's in Information 12

2 Centre for Industry Information 15

UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 1994 17

News and Events 21


National Meet of CD-ROM/Online Users, Madras

The Third National Meet of CD-ROM/OnlineUsers was sponsored by National InformationSystem for Science and Technology (NISSAT),Department of Scientific and Industrial research(DSIR), New Delhi and organized by NationalInformation Centre for Leather & Allied Industries(NICLAI) at the Central Leather Research Institute,Madras during August 9-10, 1994. The previoustwo meets were held at New Delhi during 1992 and1993. The objective of the Meet was to assess thecurrent national and international situation, theutility of CD-ROM services, their popularisationwithin the country, and to provide a forum forexchange of experiences on this new technique.The meeting focussed its attention on databasesavailable, demand for search services, targetusers, problem areas and possible solutions. Over200 participants from 91 institutions from all overthe country representing a galaxy of R & D,academic, corporate, entrepreneuring institutions,etc attended the conference. Eleven industriesengaged in information technology productsparticipated.

Inauguration

Dr. T. Ramasami, Senior Deputy Director,Central Leather Research Institute, welcomed theparticipants and presented the scenario ofinformation services provided by the Library and

Dr. S. KriBhnan NICHEM receives the DIALOGQuiz Prize from Director, I1T

Mr. Subba Rao welcomes participants to the CD-ROM/Online Meet. Seated at the dais are Dr. Ramasami,CLRI, Prof. Anandakriahanan V.C. Anna University

and Dr. A. Lahiri, NISSAT.

Information centres over the years. He emphasizedthe need for the change of information servicesscenario on account of developments taking placein computer and communication technologies, inview of the changing environment and informationneeds of the society. In his view storage medialike CD-ROM could be the best solution in future.

Dr. A. Lahiri, Joint Advisor, NISSAT, whilebriefing the audience about the meet explained itsobjectives and the opportunities to both buyersand sellers of information on coming together andon discussion of each others requirements andproblems. He mentioned that the CD-ROM isgradually taking over Online for the simple reasonthat no telecommunications are required. Hestressed that the duplication in the acquisition ofCD-ROM databasses should be avoided to savevaluable foreign exchange.

Delivering the keynote address Prof. M.Anandakrishnan, Vice Chancellor, Anna University,complimented NICLAI, CLRI and NISSAT fororganizing such an important Meet at Madras andemphasized the viability of CD-ROM technology asan instrument of revolution in information techno-logy as an instrument of revolution in informationtechnology alongside developments taking place inthe use of computer and communication technolo-gies. He remarked that CD-ROMs were quiteexpensive and advocated resource sharing. Heemphasized that information services should notbe restricted only to urban areas but should bemade available to rural areas too.


Registration Counter

Mr. S. Subba Rao, Assistant Director, Informa-tion Science, CLR! and Convenor of the Meethighlighted the achievements of the two previousMeets held at New Delhi in 1992 and 1993, viz.,

1. General increase in awareness on theOnline/CD-ROM technology in the country.

2. Extension of customs duty exemption upto15% ad valorem to R & D institutions andthose not engaged in commercial activitiesvide Notifications No. 68/93-Cus., dated28.02.1993.

3. Awareness of the users to secure fairprices for the CD-ROM equipment/databases from the vendors by way ofdirect negotiations and availing of possiblediscounts like multiple copies, educa-tional, etc.

4. Improved knowledge about the modalitiesfor procurement of CD-ROM databasethrough Pass Book Scheme.

5. Initiation of activities towards rationalisa-tion of subscription to CD-ROM Databasesin metropolitan cities.

The inaugural session concluded with a vote ofthanks proposed by the Convenor.

Session

Chairperson

CD-ROM Scenario

Mr. M.N. SeetharamanGIST, Bangalore

Eight papers were presented in this session.

NiSSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 4, 1994

Mr. I.R.N. Goudar, ICAST. NAL, delivered thelead topic on Trends in CD-ROM technology,World Scenario. He made a comprehensivepresentation on the growth of CD-ROM technologywith respect to CD-ROM databases, CD-ROMdrives, CD-ROM publishers and the marketingtrends with the aid of statistical data. He pointedout that the present trend is towards improving thereliability of hardware and software by adhering tostandards and declining costs of CD products. Hementioned about the concept of information superhighways by which information will be madeavailable directly to the consumer through thedomestic accessories such as TV, telephone andPC. For this the prerequisite was information indigital form. He pointed out that the CD-ROMwould be the cheapest and best storage medium.

Mr. M.G. Waikar, Informatics (India), discussedBusiness and Industry CD-ROM databases. Hestressed the need for providing the right type ofinformation for both research and businesscommunity. The person who provides informationshould choose the right database and provide thelatest authentic, precise information for businessinvestments and mention the economic intelligenceunit series, predicasts, index plus, etc. He reite-rated that CD-ROMs can satisfy such informationrequirements only to a small extent but there wasno option except using online databases for latestinformation.

Mrs. Poornima Narayana, NAL identified thevarious available levels and types of informationproducts required by engineers involved in R & D,management, marketing, production, etc., andpointed out that COMPINDEX PLUS CD covers anumber of disciplines. She listed 15 most popularCD-ROM databases with their coverage in engi-neering sciences.

Mr. S.M. Dhawan, NPL, presented the servicesprovided in his organization using the CD-ROMINSPEC database since January 1994. He men-tioned certain drawbacks in the absence of themechanism to avoid sequential searching , delayedupdation, non-availability of listing of journals,absence of thesaurus, etc. He mentioned that theindexing opportunity was very high in INSPEC.

Mr. N.R. Subbaram (CSIR Patents Unit)speaking on patents database emphasized theimportance of patents, as a source of informationand pointed out that supply of patents information

for R & D purposes is not an offence but commer-cialisation of the same is certainly an offence.

Mr. R. Ramachandran, PIS, briefed the patentinformation services provided by his organizationby listing the availability of CD-products of variouscountries and their period of coverage. He elabo-rated on services like SDI, state of art search,providing English equivalants, patent family searchand patent copy supply.

Mr. T.N. Prakash, ADA, highlighted the historyof standardisation at all levels of human activityand explained the salient features of the USstandards which are available as full-text on CD-ROM and which are highly used in his organizationtowards evolving International standards.

Dr. G. Ravindran, DOT, made a presentationon Business and Industry databases andpresented a detailed account of the tourismindustry worldwide, with special reference to itsprospects in India. He mentioned the application ofCD-ROM technology in establishing the TourismInformation Network (TOURNET), connecting thirtysix computer terminals all over the country withdetailed information on tourism. He gave anaccount of the terminal configuration .for touristinformation system through INDONET and thefuture plans of Department of Tourism.

Session II : CD-ROM Scendario (Contd.)

Chairperson : Dr. S. Kunthala JayaramCBT, Madras

There were six presentations in this session.

Mr. P. Diwakar, CCMB, made a presentationon biotechnology databases and pointed out thatthough there were a good number of CD-ROMdatabases in the area of biotechnology researchbut there was not a single database on biotech-nology business. He emphasized the fact thatfor obtaining biotechnology information, searchingof many databases unavoidable due to non-availability of a comprehensive database coveringall aspects of biotechnology. He compared CD-ROM and online searches and discussed theirmerits and demerits.

Mr. Jinandra Doss, CDRI, speaking onbiomedical science databases, mentioned theservices of CD-ROM databases in his organization

and pointed out that the number ot searchescarried on CD-ROM were comparatively more thanonline access. He gave a brief account on CDdatabase such as ADONIS, EXCERPTA MEDICA,MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts,Drug Data Report, etc.

During the discussions Mr. N.V. Sathya-narayana, Informatics (India) explained theadvantages of ADONIS and pointed out thatthe average cost incurred worked out to 7 perreference.

Mr. K.A. Ranganath, NICFOS, traced thegenesis of Food Sciences technology abstracts inhard copy and magnetic form. The CD-ROMversion of FSTA contains 460,000 records withannual and quarterly updates. He provided thecomparative costs of online and CD-ROM versionof the FSTA database.

Mr. H.S.S. Murthy, NAL, gave a detailedpresentation on the full text databases andprovided comprehensive list of the world's leadingfull text batabases, their information content, type,etc., with the help of an example from DIALOGand DATASTAR Hosts. He also discussed theadvantages and disadvantages of the full textdatabases.

Dr. M.S. Sridhar, ISRO Satellite Centre,enumerated ten major areas of library applicationof CD-ROM databases and explained the nationaland general applications.

Mr. A.R.D. Prasad, DRTC, made a brief presenta-tion on the work carried out on retrospectiveconversion from CD-ROM databases (OCLC &LC), with retrieval softwares of SPIRS, DIALOG,ONDISC and BOWKER to CDS-ISIS. He namedthe conversion software as PYGMALION.

Session III : CD-ROM Acquisition, CopyrightIssues

Chairperson : Dr. S.S. MurthyDESIDOC, New Delhi

Three papers were presented in this session

Mr. N.V. Satyanarayana, Informatics (India),delivered the lead topic on CD-ROM commercialissues concerned to distribution, usage and Indianscenario. He listed the agencies involved in


importing CD-ROM and online access such asMinistry ol Finance, Ministry o( Commerce,Reserve Bank of India, Customs Department andDirectorate ot Foreign trade, their current policiesand procedures. In the case ot CD-ROMs theproblems faced are duties and taxes, customsduties assessment, delivery and payment. In thecase of online the problems are accessing andpayment. The customs duties in the case of CD-ROMs for University recognised institutions, RSDinstitutions in non-profit sectors (ISO exemption),Research institutions by non-profit sectors,organizations holding passbook are nil and allothers 124%. In the case of online, the EXIMpolicies and procedures were explained. Hediscussed the access problems of online throughGPSS, INET, non-availability of online link toERNET and INTERNET from all locations theworld over, in his conclusion he suggested thatredefining books and journals, lobbying theFinance Ministry to make information duty free andtax free & removal of conditions of physicalevidence, would help overcome the said problems.

Mr. I.R.N. Goudar, ICAST, NAL, gave apresentation on Survey of CD-ROM databaseservices in India. Based on his findings hepresented that 75 types of databases wereavailable in India and his organization holds 15 CDdatabases covering bibliographic, full text, multi-media, etc. He suggested that redefining books inthe context of electronic media, would help over-come the customs problems.

Mr. M.N, Seetharaman, GIST, shared his thirtyyears of professional experience in procurement ofdocuments and gave some tips to overcome thecustoms problems on CD-ROM procurement.

Session IV : CD-ROM Hardware/Software andNetworking

Chairperson : Dr. R. Srinivasan, NAL. Bangalore

Five papers were presented in this session.

Dr. R. Srinivasan in his opening remarksstressed the importance of information dissemi-nation and observed that India was in no way

6 lagging behind in this context. He mentioned thatCD-ROM technology was gaining much importancein the developing countries. He stressed thatnetworking is the most probable answer in multiuser environment.

Mr. P.G. Rao, CLRI, delivered the lead topicon CD hardware/software selection criteria andissues concerned. He highlighted the CD-ROMdrive specifications, interface cards, CD specifica-tions, CD standards and CD-ROM drive installationin detail. He also analysed the present CD-ROMtrends and NETWARE for CD-ROM networkenvironment and the usage of CD-ROM discs indifferent areas. He concluded that CD-ROM haspotential to become a universal distributionmedium and can be used for everything fromcomputer software to multimedia.

Mr. S. Ravi, NCSI, spoking on CD-ROMstandards Hardware/Software issues, explainedthe importance of standards in CD-ROMtechnology such as red book, yellow book, orangebook and white book {yet to come). He alsopresented a detailed description of ISO-1960.

Mr. Rajan, Informatics (India), gave a definitionof network and highlighted the advantages ofnetworking CD-ROMs, the components required bytaking Novel Network as an example. Heanswered the queries regarding the networkingsolutions available in the market with cost detailson CD-networking.

Mr. V. Balaji, MSSRF, CD-Networking: casestudy, explained the databases available in hisorganization and services offered and MEIS(Mangrove Ecosystem Information Services)database containing text and images.

Mrs. K.S. Geelhamani, CMTI, presented thebibliographic information services provided fromher centre using the inhouse bibliographicdatabases and the COMPENDEX PLUS on CD-ROM and discussed the comparative advantagesand limitations of these two databases.

Session V

Chairperson

CD-PublishingApplications

and CD-ROM

Mr. N.V. SatyanarayanaInformatics (India), Bangalore

Three papers were presented in this session.

In his opening remarks Mr. N.V. Satya-narayana said that CD-ROM was very much thereto stay and emphasized the importance of CD-Publishing in terms of cost and usage.


Dr. P. So ma Raju, Andhra University,expressed the need for introduction of CD-ROMproducts in Universities and stressed upon thevendors and publishers to tap the universities forCD-ROM products.

Mr. P.G. Rao, CLRI, speaking on multimediastressed the usefulness of multimedia as apublishing and information distribution mediumoffering unequal advantages in terms of compact-ness, storage capacity, durability and liability. Heconcluded that CD-ROM and multimedia wereinseparable as were floppy disk and the computer.

Mr. C,K. Ramaiah, DESIDOC, defined theterms hypertext and hypermedia and explainedhypercards and applications of hypertext.

Session VI

Chairperson

Online Scenario

Dr. Anju ChadhaSPIC, Madras

In this session seven papers were presented.

Mr. M.G. Waikar, Informatics (India), deliveredthe lead topic on Online Industry Trends andForecast- He highlited the factors contributing tothe growth of online industry specially withreference to India. He made a comparative state-ment about the facilities offered for four yearsduring 1990-1994 in respect of database types,file usage, etc. He also explained the ways ofmeeting of online sers demands.

Mr. L. Satyanarayana of VSNL, gave a briefdescription of Telecom facilities in India and thenoed for advanced infrastructure for telecom forfuture needs. He also mentioned the induction ofsatellite communication facilities that solved theproblems of VSNL to a certain extent.

Mr. B.C. Sunder Singh, NISSAT, spoke onOnline Services through NACIDs and traced itshistory and mentioned that during 1986-87, fiveSICs were identified to promote online services.He presented a comparative statement of onlinesearches conducted by these five centres and therevenue earned through search services during thelast five years.

Dr. S. Krishnan, NCL, while dwelling onINTERNET presented the salient features ofnetworking. The possible information services

which could be obtained through INTERNET wereexplained.

Mr. Surinder Kumar, NIC, gave a comparativeaccount on BRS search system and ELHILL andpointed out that both the system have a number ofstrong searching facilities for information retrievalfrom Medline databases.

Mr. N.V. Ramakrishna. NFATCC, presentedonline access to global biotechnology informationsystems by explaining the available databases anddatabanks amongst the life scientists/tech nocrafts,the mode of access and the domestic networksavailability in India.

Dr. V.S. Sundar Rao, CLRI, on user feedbackpresented the advantages of going online forinformation by citing a few topics such as PCP,ecofriendly technologies for his work and empha-sized that he could not have met the time targetswithout the help of NACID at CLRI.

The chairperson remarked that an awarenessof online search services should be made andsuggested creation of indigenous database ofacronyms of organizations in India to start with.

Session-VII : Company Presentations

Chairperson : Dr. A. LahiriNISSAT, New Delhi

Seven presentations were made.

The chairperson spoke on the purpose of thesession and invited the participating companies topresent their services and products.

Mr. S. Biswas from TIFAC, briefed theparticipants about the TIFAC line and the linkagebetween CMC, ESA/IRS and TIFAC. He alsopresented different types of databases on ESA/IRS, differential price structure for downloading therecords.

Dr. Balasubramanyam, CDEC, USA, presentedthe background of the company which would behaving manufacturing facility of CD-ROMs, growthof CD-ROMs and drives. 7

Mr. Anish Mahendru, STN, USA, presented thebackground of Chemical Abstracts Service, USAand explained the features of STN, an online


8

vendor offering the chemical abstracts online tousers all over the world.

Mr. Don R. Wadakan, World Trade Centre,presented a detailed account of the WTC Network,which holds a wide variety of business informationfor the Indian companies including traders.

Mr. Suresh Hindocha, Nexus computers,presented the new product CD-Scuffe for CD-ROM access which uses the parallel port of thecomputer.

Mr. R. Chandrashekar, Faxon Informatics,gave a brief presentation of his company andmentioned their business partners such as UMI,ADONIS, BOWKER, DIALOG, MERIDIAN, SilverPlater, etc.

Mr. M.G. Waiker, Informatics (India), high-lighted the new features of DIALOG software andthe new price structure for online searches. Healso presented results of analysis carried onDIALOG about business information on theneighbouring countries of India.

Session VIII : Concluding Session

Chairperson : Dr. N.V.C. SwamyI IT, Madras

The chairperson gave away the prizes for thethree winners on CD-ROM/Online Quiz sponsoredby the Informatics Group. Dr. Swamy recalled hisresearch days of obtaining information manuallywhen compared to the recent developments ininformation access. He said that networking oflibraries is mandatory for effective informationdissemination.

Dr. P. Soma Raju presented a birds eye-viewof the proceedings of the Meet as a RapporteurGeneral.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanksfrom Mrs. Kamini Mishra, NISSAT, acting as a co-convenor of the Meet.

Recommendations

1. A union catalogue of information materialson CD-Rom may be prepared to facilitateusers to access these. As a corollary, theresource institutions (libraries/lnf. centres)may be impressed upon to allow access tooutside users on mutually agreed terms,so that the cost of acquisition could bejustified/rationalised.

2. As in the case of print materials, the Con-sultative Committees set up by NISSAT invarious cities may be urged to include CD-ROM products as well in their rationali-zation efforts.

3. In due recognition of the potential that newemerging optical and opto-electronicstorage technologies hold, the Governmentof India may be impressed upon toredefine "book" as also to include non-printmaterials like those on optical disks, floppydisks and other magnetic media.Disparities in the treatment of informationmaterials in print and non-print media, forthe purposes of levying duty and handlingby the customs, may be removedimmediately.

4. The next meet may be organised either inthe East (Calcutta) or in the West (Pune).This meet should also be open tointernational participation especially fromSAARC and ASTINEO countries. If it wereheld in Calcutta a tutorial on the subjectmay be prefixed to the Meet in order toincrease awareness on these technologiesamong information users, students andteachers of library science. More timeshould also be made available fordemonstration of hardware software anddatabase products.


The Three MeetsIt would be in order to recount our experiences across the last three events.

1. There has been a steady rise in participation. The third meeting in CLRI, Madras had 178registered paying participants.

2. There has also been a steady increase in the number of vendors. In the third meet, as many as10 vendors had made company presentations and demonstrated their hardware software anddatabases.

3. The pattern of participation has also changed. The Madras meeting had large number ofparticipants from the private sector.

Institutional affiliation of participants (%)

Research 43Industries including information industries 22Education 15Spl. library & information networks BComputer centres 6Government 6

100

4. The background of participants has also changed. In the Madras meeting, the population ofparticipants with library background and those without, was equally divided.

5. While in the first meet in 1992, a CD-ROM had to be physically shown to initiate discussions, inthe Madras meet, the participants were found deliberating at ease on advanced technologies likemultimedia, multi-access system etc. Two vendors had also talked of their plans for production ofCD-ROM in India itself.

6. While the first meet was free, from the second meet onwards, a registration fees of Rs. 500 waslevied. The second meet could support itself from the registration fees of participants and specialfees paid by the vendors.

NISSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 4. 1994

I N S D O C

Indian Science Abstracts (ISA)is now available onlinethrough dialup lines or I-net.Other on-line databases:Current Contents of Indian JournalsNational Union Catalogue of Scientific Serials in IndiaPolymer Science AbstractsIndian PatentsMedicinal and Aromatic Plants AbstractsIndian StandardsMetallurgy IndexAll the databases are also available on floppiessearchable through a special INSDOC retrieval softwarerunning under MS-DOS.Some of the above databases are being made availableon CD-ROM shortly.For price and other detailsplease get in touch with :

Marketing and Customer Services DivisionIndian National Scientific Documentation Centre(INSDOC)14, Satsang Vihar Marg, New Delhi 110 067Phone : 686 3617,66 0143; Telex: 031-73099Fax: 91-11-686 2228; E-mail: [email protected]

INSDOC Regional Centre INSDOC-WRIC Information Services1.1. Sc. Campus Western Regional Instrumentation Centre (WRIC)Bangalore 560 012 University o! Bombay, VidyanagariPh.: 334 3554 Bombay 400 098E-mail: [email protected] Ph.: 612 2630,612 2618,612 8758

INSDOC Regional Centre 1NSDOC-CRC Information Services INSDOC Regional Centre1.1. C. B. Campus Communication Research Consultants CSIR Madras Complex4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road Post Box 7873,309 B. B. Ganguly Street TaramaniCalcutta 700 032 Calcutta 700 012 Madras 600115Ph.: 473 3583 Ph.: 26 3597,42 2621,244 6471,350 7206 Ph.: 235 1453E-mail: tool»iknetr®«™ul.«ri>*i.ii) Th:02]-2128ETBK[AUji: C RCJ E-miP:ucQiinHUn.cnin.ia

Information Today &Tomorrow: Information

Industry-User PromotionInteraction — Curtain

Raiser

Seminars and Conferences on information arebeing organized every now and then by variousagencies — Public and Private. But generally theylook at things in isolation. For example there islittle effort on the part of information generators toreach out to the potential user community. Whileseveral for a exist to deal with various aspects of-hardware and tele communication, there is nosingle forum to discuss matters as in formationand its various ramifications — science andtechnology information, industrial information,financial information, etc. It was in this respect that(he recent NISSAT seminar held at Surajkund {7-8Dec. 1994) stood apart from the general run ofseminars on the subject.

No wonder, the Conference attracted 60participants from among information users and 65from information providers. Of the 60 informationusers 30 came from private sector, 1 from foreignagency and 29 from the govt. departments. The 65information providers were devided from privatesector (31), govt. departments (31) and publicsector (3).

The seminar was inaugurated by Prof. S.K.Joshi, Secretary, DSIR and DG, CSIR in thepresence of a select gathering at Surajkund whichprovided a suitable back drop of scanic beautyand invigorating conditions for the meeting.

Prof. S.K. Joshi addressing the Audience

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Joshi obser-ved that digital technology had brought aboutsweeping changes in the information field. Therewas talk of formation highways. India should notbe left out of these developments in terms of soft-ware. He exhoted the professionals to shifttowards technology-based programmes like CD-ROM, development of databases, etc. Acceptanceof new technologies even in scientific organizationswas rather slow. Prof. Joshi assured all possiblehelp from CSIR to implement the recommenda-tions of the conference. Let the steering wheel, ProfJoshi.said be in the hands of the private sector.He was happy thai NISSAT had adopted this newapproach. He hoped for cross fertilization of ideasbetween different sections of users.

A detailed report on the deliberations of theseminar will be published in the next issue ofNISSAT Newsletter.

FID Congress

India will host the FID Congress in 1998,it is reliably learnt. Details to follow.

Jl


The Tokyo ResolutionOn Strategic Alliance of

International NGO'sin Information

12

Over 30 international non-government organi-zations representing the information sector in thebroadest sense of the word, namely, productionacquisition, dissemination management, preser-vation and use of information (herein after referredto as management and use of information)solemnly agreed to create a strategic alliancebased on the following rationale and objectives.Known as The Tokyo Resolution; the declarationwas presented to His Imperial Highness PrinceAkishino of Japan on 6 October 1994. The resolu-tion intended to serve better the world communityis reproduced here for the benefit of all concerned:

1. All countries — large and small, rich andpoor — share a deep concern about manyglobal problems, ranging from theexhaustion of the planet's environmentalresources to new global threats to health;the spread of poverty and famine; politicaland social tensions; demographicexplosions; an unstable world economyand the deterioration of the quality of life,We believe that the proper use ofinformation for decision-making at all levelsof society will help solve humanity'sproblems as the world enters an age ofgreater awareness of the importance ofinformation. To this end, it is critical toensure continuity in access by document-ing and preserving high quality records ofthe actions of society, through time.

2. All persons must have open and unrestric-ted access to information, consistent withthe protection of individual rights, appropri-ate economic incentives, and the concernsof nations and peoples as determined bytheir unique circumstances.

3. As stated in Article 19 of the UniversalDeclaration of Human rights "Everyone hasthe right to freedom of expression andopinion; this right includes freedom to hold

opinions without interference and to seek,receive and impart information and ideasthrough any media regardless of frontiers".

4. Societal improvements require a deeperand widespread understanding of how tofind and use authentic information pro-perly. Universal literacy, lifelong learning,education and training are essential tothese improvements.

5. We who are involved in the managementand use of information face several forcesof change. These forces are economic,political and cultural and include dramatictechnological developments and vastlyexpanded user expectations for informationservices. The forces also present manychallenges concerning the protection ofintellectual property, the provision ofaccess, protection of privacy, security,integrity and preservation of information,and the increased need for common legaland technical standards.

6. A particularly serious problem is theincreasing information gap betweenvarious countries and societies withinthem, which is exacerbated by the in-creasing cost of information. Developingcountries have an essential need both forinformation'produced outside their frontiersand for information they themselvesproduce which must be properly managed,disseminated and used.

7. Each of our non-governmental organiza-tions has its own distinct identity andobjectives which should be preserved.Allied, we represent a major force whichcan lead the way forward for the informa-tion professions. We realize that the socialproblems are too great for any singleorganization to help solve alone and that

N1SSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 4, 1994

we should avoid any unnecessary overlapof effort Intense collaboration, consultationand strategic planning are the answers.

We believe that a strategic alliance willcontribute to advancing the goals of our organiza-tions, contribute to the solution of the world's prob-lems, better serve the world community andintensify our collaboration with intergovernmentalorganizations.

Our common goal is to serve society by:

(a) Providing an international forum to addressissues of common interest.

(b) Identifying common issues in the manage-ment and use of information; clarifyingdiverging positions and agreeing on newcooperative solutions, especially concern-ing equitable access, balanced intellectualproperly protection, the protection ofprivacy, information systems security andcommon legal and technical standards.

(c) Forecasting and assessing changesaffecting the provision of information tomeet the expected challenges.

(d) Ensuring that the information professionstake a pro-active stance in studies aimedat elucidating future aspects of humanendeavour.

(e) Ensuring that the development andapplication of information technologieseffectively meet the needs of users ofinformation.

(f) Encouraging the use of new teaching andlearning technologies and other telematicstechniques in education and lifelonglearning starting at the pre-school age.

(g) Ensuring that the information professions,through education and training, maintainand further develop their knowledge andexpertise in order to keep up with changesin the environment.

(h) Encourage the development of communi-cation training and education programmesthat increase awareness of the importanceof interactive communication betweenproviders and users of information.

(i) Advocating practices that guarantee theintegrity and preservation of information

irrespective of format and medium, andensuring that the accuracy and quality ofthe information are maintained when it ispassed along through its cycles of trans-formation and transfer.

(j) Ensuring that the cost and value of infor-mation are recognized in the developmentof information policies, programmes, sys-tems, and services. However, we need totry to influence policies to ensure thateconomic barriers do not prevent accessto information.

(k) Encouraging the discussion of ethicalissues for the information society and thedevelopment of principles (e.g. codes ofconduct for appropriate sectors) related tothe responsibilities of the informationprofessions.

(I) Encouraging the need for the developmentof storing policies on information bysuggesting directions for future policy andstrategic planning.

(m) Intensifying the collaboration betweenpublic and private sectors, in particular byinfusing the values of each into the other.

(n) Influencing the creation of new viable pro-duct and service clusters both within theinformation sectors and with externalpartners.

(o) Encouraging the worldwide identification ofinformation capabilities and the mobiliza-tion of these for the solution of majorglobal problems.

(p) Devising international programmes tostrengthen the awareness of the value ofinformation in all areas of human endea-vour such as education, science, industry,culture and recreation.

(q) Creating awareness and promoting therole of international non-governmentalorganizations in information.

(r) Developing a coordinated, internationalapproach to the research needs of theinformation field.

Signed on the occasion of the Centennial of theInternational Federation for Information andDocumentation

BY:

13


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Centre for IndustryInformation

Established at New Delhi in collaboration withDelhi State Industrial Development Corporation(DSIDC) and Technology Information, Forecastingand Assessment Council (TIFAC), the Centreprovides value-added information on:

• Technology Trends

• Business Opportunities

• Export Markets

• Technology Sourcing

• Joint Ventures

• Feasibility & DetailedProjects Studies

Besides the above, the centre also providesaccess to TIFACLINE, ESA - IPS Databases.

Tifacllne Databases

Composite Technologies

Compiled by National Aeronautical Laboratory,Bangalore. This database covers raw materials,sophisticated processes and products. It containsover 500 records of information collected frominternational journals, publications, patents andtechnologies formulated in Indian laboratories andindustry.

Food Technologies

Compiled by Central Food TechnologicalResearch Institute, Mysore.

Contains technology-related information ondifferent sectors of the food industry-dairy, poultry,ready-to-serve drinks, beverages, sea food, fruitand vegetable processing. Some of the productscovered have high exports potential.

Energy

Compiled by Tata Energy Research Institute,

Covers technology-related information onenergy/power reactor, energy conservation devices,concepts and techniques, renewable energytechnologies (solar, thermal and photo-voltaics,energy from wind and biomass etc.). The newtechnologies have tremendous utilization potentialin the country considering India's vast resources insolar radiation, wind and agriculture residues.

Non-Ferrous Materials

Compiled by Materials Research Society ofIndia, Hyderabad.

Contains over 400 records of information bothestablished and emerging technologies. It coversnew fields like plasma coating, powder metallurgy,super alloys and special coatings for various end-uses. Conventional technologies like extraction ofmetals such as aluminium, magnesium, tungsten,titanium are also included.

Environmental Technologies

Compiled by National Chemical Laboratory,Pune

Covers various options available for wasteutilization and disposal-both in India and abroad.Technologies specific to different industries forreduction of pollution levels in air and water areavailable. Treatment of effluents to prevent dis-charge of hazardous chemicals and other industrialtoxic wastes are also detailed.

Health & Safety and Environmental Protection

New inventions, discoveries and legislationagainst industrial accidents, together with growingconcern for environmental protection have result ina growing need for health, safety and environ-mental information. ESA-IRS gives a completerange of information in these areas that mostorganisations must continuously monitor in thefuture.

• Composite Technologies

15


• Food Technologies• Energy• Non-ferrous Materials• Environmental Technologies• Expert Base• Standards Directory

ESA-IRS Databases

What Is ESA-IRS?

The European Space Agency InformationRetrieval Service, ESA-IRS, provides compre-hensive and up-to-date scientific and technicalaerospace information online. ESA-IRS was thefirst online host in Europe. Users today can takeadvantage of powerful searching capabilitiesdeveloped with the technology and know-how ofthe European Space Agency. They can make useof a complete range of online information servicesfrom national centres and ESA-IRS offices in 13European countries.

In India TIFACLINE holds the franchise andprovides access to ESA-IRS database and theCentre for Industry Information is its main hosthub.

Who uses ESA-IRS — and why?

ESA-IRS customers include:

• leading companies• research centres• government organizations• universities

They keep themselves up-to-date in their fieldof operations by accessing the ESA-IRS databasesregularly and by making use of the ESA-IRSservices and support

With new menu driven Easy Quest interfaceany professional can easily search on ESA-IRSwithout any prior knowledge of online.

Easy and Instant Access to Accurate, up-to-date and vital information in:

• Science• Technology

• Business• Agriculture & Food• Health & Safety• Transport

• Materials• Environmental Protection• Chemistry• Aerospace

The extensive database would meet thespecific needs of a wide range of users.

• Technologists• Engineers• Service & Project Managers• Marketing Staff• Contracts & Finance Administrators• Researchers• Students• Librarians

Centre for Industry InformationBombay Life BuildingN-36, Connaught CircusNew Delhi-110001Tel: 3713346Fax: 3315067

16


UNESCOPublic Library Manifesto

1994

Freedom, prosperity and the development ofsociety and of individuals are fundamental humanvalues. They will only be attained through theability of well-informed citizens to exercise theirdemocratic rights and to play an active role insociety. Constructive participation and thedevelopment of democracy depend on satisfactoryeducation as well as on free and unlimited accessto knowledge, thought, culture and information.

The public library, the local gateway to know-ledge, provides a basic condition for lifelonglearning, independent decision-making and culturaldevelopment of the individual and social groups.

This manifesto proclaims UNESCO's belief inthe public library as a living force for education,culture and information, and as an essential agentfor the fostering of peace and spiritual welfarethrough the minds of men and women.

UNESCO therefore encourages national andlocal governments to support and actively engagein the development of public libraries.

The Public Library

The public library is the local centre ofinformation, making all kinds of knowledge andinformation readily available to its users.

The services of the public library are providedon the basis of equality of access for all, regard-less of age, race, sex, religion, nationality, languageor social status. Specific services and materialsmust be provided for those users who cannot, forwhatever reason, use the regular services andmaterials, for example linguistic minorities, peoplewith disabilities or people in hospital or prison.

All age groups must find material relevant totheir needs. Collections and services have toInclude all types of appropriate media and moderntechnologies as well as traditional materials. Highquality and relevance to local needs andconditions are fundamental. Material must reflectcurrent trends and the evolution of society, as wellNISSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 4, 1994

as the memory of human endeavour andimagination.

Collections and services should not be subjectto any form of ideological, political or religiouscensorship, nor commercial pressures.

Missions of the Public Library

The following key missions of the publiclibrary, related to information, literacy, educationand culture should be considered:

1. creating and strengthening reading habitsin children from an early age;

2. supporting both individual and selfconducted education as well as formaleducation at all levels;

3. providing opportunities for personalcreative development;

4. stimulating imagination and creativity ofchildren and young people;

5. promoting awareness of cultural heritage,appreciation of the arts, scientificachievements and innovations;

6. providing access to cultural expressions ofall performing arts;

7. fostering inter-cultural dialogue andfavouring cultural diversity;

8. supporting oral tradition;9. ensuring access for citizens to all sorts of

community information;10. providing adequate information services to

local enterprises, associations and interestgroups;

11. facilitating the development of informationand computer literacy skills;

12. supporting and participating in literacyactivities and programmes for all agegroups, and initiating such activities ifnecessary.

Government of India, Department of Electronics offers networkservices to all academic and research institutions in the country

through the•• —— ———- ——— —•—-^-^—————^—.——^

Education and Research Network(ERNET)

Department of Electronics (DoE) is proud to have the capacity to link the entire academicand research community in India through ERNET - the Education and Research Network. ProjectERNET has been implemented by the Government of India with the assistance of United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) and the initial participation of eight premier institutions - fivellTs,MSc Bangalore, NCST Bombay and DoE, Delhi. The major aim of the projectwas to build capabilityin the country in the area of computer networking and set-up a country wide computer network forthe academic and research community to facilitate informal and frequent interactions, sharing ofcomputing resources, and more co-operation in research activities.

As a result of sustained efforts, ERNET provides the most extensive co-operative computernetworkfor the academic and research community. Over 300 institutions in the country representinga cross-section of universities, government societies, R & D organisations, research laboratoriesare already using it extensively serving over 20000 users throughout the country. The followingservices are available on the network :

• Electronic mail * File transfer• Remote log-in • Mailing lists, news groups and bulletin boards• Data-base access * Information retrieval tools (Gopher, WAIS,

WWW)

and in addition to the above, access to computing resources and users across 120 countries throughGlobal Internet.

In line with similar efforts in advanced countries, ERNET has simultaneously addressed thekey R & D issues of networking technology in order to provide benefits of the state-of-the-arttechnology and cost-effective services to the user community. Some of the future areas of workinclude test-bed for high speed networking -and support of applications like, multi-site videoconferencing, and other integrated applications, like multimedia mail and multimedia documentretrieval.

ERNET programme has its current focus on expanding its reach to the entire academic andresearch community in the country. Progressively, the infrastructure, range of services and acces-sible resources are being upgraded in close co-operation with academic and research community.ERNET community will be happy to extend all possible help and advise you on setting up necessaryfacilities at your premises.

For further information, please contact:

18 S. RainakrishnanDirector - ERNET Project Telephone : (Oil) 436 1251Governmenl of India Telefax : (Oil) 436 2924Department of Elcclronics Telex : 31-65103,66536,665906, C.G.O. Complex E-mail : [email protected] Delhi 110003

Funding, legislation and networks

• The public library shall in principle be freeof charge.

• The public library is the responsibility oflocal and national authorities. It must besupported by specific legislation andfinanced by national and local govern-ments. It has to be an essential compo-nent of any long-term strategy for culture,information provision, literacy and edu-cation.

• To ensure nationwide library coordinationand cooperation, legislation and strategicplans must also define and promote anational library network based on agreedstandards of service.

• The public library network must bedesigned in relation to national, regional,research and special libraries as well aslibraries in schools, colleges and univer-sities.

Operation and Management

• A clear policy must be formulated, definingobjectives, priorities and services inrelation to the local community needs. Thepublic library has to be organized effecti-vely and professional standards of opera-tion must be maintained.

• Cooperation with relevant partners —forexample, user groups and other profes-sionals at local, regional, national as wellas international level-has to be ensured.

• Services have to be physically accessibleto all members of the community. Thisrequires well situated library buildings,good reading and study facilities, as wellas relevant technologies and sufficientopening hours convenient to the users. Itequally implies outreach services for thoseunable to visit the library.

• The library services must be adapted tothe different needs of communities in ruraland urban areas.

• The librarian is an active intermediarybetween users and resources. Professionaland continuing education of the librarian isindispensable to ensure adequate servi-ces.

• Outreach and user education programmeshave to be provided to help users benefitfrom all the resources.

Implementing, the Manifesto

Decision makers at national and local levels andthe library community at large, around the world,are hereby urged to implement the principlesexpressed in this manifesto.

The manifesto is prepared in cooperation withIFLA.

NISSAT NEWSLETTERWISHES

ITS READERS & ADVERTISERSA HAPPY & PROSPEROUS

NEW YEAR19


IT AS THE DOCTOR'S TOOL

Computers, some people think, will soon replace the doctors. This is not true, as it would onfyact as a tool to the doctor and not his replacement," claimed Sneh Anand, Indian Institute ofTechnology (NT), Delhi, during the seminar on 'IT Applications in Health Care' last month in Delhi,organised by Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology. Anand laid emphasis on how IThelps in enormous data processing and storing of information and in its quick retrieval.

S.K. Guha, professor, Department of Bio-medical Engineering. All India Institute of MedicalSciences, Delhi, emphasised on IT's role In surgical field and in deriving the lost organs like the armor the limb. It also helps in thinking, vision and manipulation, and is also important "in analysing andpredicting the trend of tremors".

Concentrating on the expert systems, H.N. Mahabala, professor, NT, Madras, said thattechnology helps in better health care in rural areas. According to him, 97 percent of under-fivejuvenile deaths occur in developing countries due to lack of knowledge on the part of the parents."Expert systems can help avoid such mishaps," said Mahabala, and added "Such systems diagnosethe diseases like fever, diaorrhea, convulsions, cough and cold on time and prescribe medicines andcase of seriousness advises for the doctor. This solves the problem of untimeliness and saves manydeaths." Virtual Reality, that represents another step in quest for more effective and naturalinterfaces for computer users, can be effectively used in health care, claimed Sanjay Gupta,consultant, NUT Ltd. User's gestures and movements are sensed, Interpreted and appropriatelyacted upon by the computer. In turn, it produces the output on special devices which sustain theillusion of immersion in the scene.

Organisations like Siemens India Ltd., Phillips India Ltd., Wipro-GE Ltd., L & T Medical,Crompton Greaves Ltd., Network Ltd. have already taken lead in providing medical or health caresector with many latest IT applications in India.

— Computers Today Dec, 1994

NISSAT NEWSLETTER NO 4, 1994

News and EventsCarpel Tunnel Syndrome

The Improper placement of computer monitors causes thedebilitating hand and arm injury that affects thousands ofcomputer workers each year, commonly diagnosed as carpeltunnel syndrome (CTS), according to some experts whospecialise in computer workstation ergonomics.

CTS Is a category of repetitive strain injury (RSI) that Isdefined as a crushing or pinching of the median nerve that •passes through the wrist-located bone and ligament tube,called the carpel tunnel.

Classic CTS symptoms are pain, numbness, and tinglingin the hand. In the past, computer workplace arm, wrist, andhand injuries have been blamed mostly on Improperplacement of the hands were never designed to lie flat infront of a computer user with fingers pounding out the samesmall motions over and over.

The answer traditionally has been wearing wristbandages or supports and, more and more often, surgery isused to open up the space around the median nerve. ButCTS Is not limited to computer workstation users. It has beenreported by plane and violin players, hair dressers, knitters,sewers, telephone operators, cigar rollers, and grocery storeclerks.

Besides use of their hands in repetitive motions, theseworkers all have looking down in common, which according toJulia Lacy, is the true cause of the problem. Lacy is theauthor of a book. "How to Survive Your ComputerWorkstation*. She says her conclusions come from surveys ofseveral thousand fulltime computer users over four years.

Michael Gauf, managing editor of CTD News, anewsletter focused on cumulative disorders In the work place,says there Is both medical and anecdotal evidence that acombination of repetitive motion and the improper monitorplacement can cause CTS.

An entirely new generation of keyboards ere beingdeveloped to tackle the CTS problem.

— Computers Today, June 1994

HughM Win* First VSAT Tender From DOT

As Department of Telecommunications (DOT) hasaccepted some of the demands raised by private operators

wishing to start Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT)networks, the tender for supply of 200 VSATS and a hub forits own network, HVNET (High-speed VSAT Network) hasgone to Hughes Network Systems Inc.

DOT has finally agreed to provide VSAT operators theconnectively with the data network l-net, one of the majorpoints of contention.

But the operators want a direct connectivity with thefaster data networks like RABMN (Remote Araa BusinessMessaging Network), NICNET (of the National InformaticsCentre) and GPSS (Gateway Packet Switching System) ofVSNI. Another major demand of the VSAT operators was theconnectivity to the public switched telephone network (PSTN)of the DOT which has not been considered at all. DOTofficials have Indicated that the PSTN connectivity will besubject to the clear guidelines on the Telecom Policy. Whileoperators wanted a total removal of any cap on the rental torVSAT terminals, the ceHing has been increased from theearlier figure of Rs 1.75 lakh per VSAT to Rs 3.5 lakh.

Representatives from the CSAT operators have indicatedthat the present conditions, though a change from the earlier,are still unattractive to them. Indicators are that they will signthe license agreement only when DOT resolves all theconditions.

The tender for HVNET has been awarded to HNS almosttwo years after It was floated. Since DOT floated a globaltender for the acquisition of these VSATS, the issue hasalways been dogged with controversy on account of objectionsraised by some of the private tender participants. Theequipment to be supplied to the DOT forms part of the $4million financing package approved by the Asian DevelopmentBank (ADB), which is financing the whole project for theDepartment of Telecommunications.

— Computers Today, August 1994

National Symposium on GIS Technology

Geographical Information System (GIS) is powerfulInformation technology currently available for planning anddecision making processes for land and water resourcesmanagement. In India there has been a widespreadawareness about GIS capabilities and applications, butresearch regarding the applications of GIS In Indianuniversities and Institutes Is In an infant stags.

21


The Department of Geography of the University ofMadras and Sept. of Geography of Waterloo university,Canada have developed a linkage programme sponsoredby the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The International Symposium organised by these twoin the Department of Geography with the aid of CIDA aimsto sharpen our focus on applications of GlS in resourcesmanagement and issues associated with handling the datafor computer mapping and resource analysis.

To facilitate participation and interaction among a verylarge cross section of the user community, the symposiumwill deliberate on the following sub themes:

Survey and Information Technology, Hardware andSoftware Components of GlS, Data Base and ResourceManagement, GlS for Resource Development, GlS forSustainable Development, GlS and EnvironmentalManagement, GlS and Regional Planning, GlS and ComputerCartography, Remote Sensing as a Data Input for GlS, Statusof GlS in Developed and Developing Countries, AutomatedMapping and Facilities Management,

Venue—Department of Geography, University of Madras,Chepauk, Madras 600 005, India.

Date—February 22. 23 and 24, 1995.

IMPACT

CSIR has developed a software package calledIntegrated Management and Project Accounting (IMPACT) forcomputerized financial accounting of S&T projects, which hasbeen introduced in all the CSIR labs from this year.Introduction of IMPACT is an important milestone In themodernization of office management in CSIR.

— CSIR News, Vol. 44, No. 20 -

Quality Management In Library Service*

Encouraged with the success of the first of its kindtraining programme, in the country, on Total QualityManagement in Library Services". Indian Institute ofManagement, Lucknow conducted it once again during Sept.26-28, 1994, for senior level Library and InformationManagers. Nineteen Participants representing the libraries ofnational/International level organizations, including the WorldBank; American Centre; MSc.; JNU; NIFT; IDBl; etc

22 participated In the programme.

The programme was inaugurated by Prof. M.S. Sodha,Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lucknow at the IndianInstitute of Management Lucknow. In his inaugural address,

Total Quality Management in Library Services:Participants In IIML Programme

Prof. Sodha exhorted the library and information managers tobe responsive to the ever-changing and complex informationneeds of their users. He also emphasized the need to absorbtechnological aids and facilities such as computers, computer-networks, E-mail, fax, etc. which may seem expensive tobegin with but will prove cost-effective in the long run.

The programme was designed to equip the participantswith adequate knowhow so that they are able to :

(i) gauge the requirements of their clients, i.e. thelibrary users more accurately and precisely;

(ii) cater to the exact needs of such users; and

(iii) remain cost effective in every area of operation bydoing things right the first time, even/time, all thetime.

The training package developed by Prof. D. Chakrabortyand Mr. Roshan Raina, Programme Directors was designedaround the following themes:

(i) Developing total quality management (TOM) as astrategic focus to effect continuous improvement invarious activities and services of a modem libraryand information centre (LIC) encompassingacquisition, organisation and dissemination ofInformation;

(ii) Understanding the TOM process;

(iii) Barriers to continuous improvement in the context oflibrary and information services (US); and

(iv) Making continuous improvement a way of life foreveryone involved in LIS in any organization.

The technical sessions organised on the following topics:


(i) Conceptual Framework of TQM; (II) TOM in LibraryContext; (Mi) Assessment of User Needs; (Iv) Designing theServices Delivery Process; (v) Empowerment of People; and(vl) ISO 9000. Sessions on (a) experience sharing, (b)interaction with IIML Library staff and (c) video films (on TQMand ISO-9000) were the othef components ot the programme.

The programme concluded with a valedictory session on13 Sept. 1994, which was chaired by Dr. J.L. Batra, Directorof IIML, who also distributed the certificates among theparticipants. Participants provided the feedback on theprogramme with the help of a structured questionnaire for thepurpose as well as through a report presented in thevaledictory session. Going by the feedback, the programmeseemed to have achieved Its objectives very well.Roshan Ralna. Librarian Indian Institute of Management,Lucknow 226 013.

Sixth National CDS/ISIS Users Group Meet

In order to assess the utility of UNESCO CDS/ISISpackage and to facilitate exchange of notes. NationalInformation System for Science & Technology (NISSAT) jointlywith Bioinformatics Centre, School ol Biotechnology, MaduraiKamaraj University, Madurai is organising the 6th NationalCDS/ISIS Users Group Meet during January 10-13, 1995 inthe Bioinformatics Centre. Madurai Kamaraj University.Madurai. The Meet is also expected to provide a forum fordiscussing the problems faced by the users on theimplementation of the package.

Objectives—To assess in status of use of CDS/ISISpackage in India; To provide solutions to technical problemsencountered by the users; To facilitate exchange ofexperiences and diversified applications of CDS/ISIS package;To get recommendations lor further improvement/developmentof the package.

Programme ContentPaper presentalion-cum-demonstration of CDS/ISIS

applications; Pascal interface; programs developed andtutorials; Discussions on the problems in using the package;Networking, online access; Data protection techniques;Preparation of recommendations for further improvement ofthe package.

Calib*r-9S

The second national Convention CALIBER 95 to be heldat the university of Hyderabad will focus on issues pertainingto information access through networks. The first convention(CALIBER 94) held In Ahmedabad during February 19-20,1994 related to various infrastructural facilities for library

automation and Information retrieval In institutions of higherlearning.

CALIBER-95 will span three days February, 10-12. Thetheme of the Conventional has been structured into fivesub-themes:

1. Information Users—Needs. Expectations andSeeking Behaviour

2. Information Sources and Systems

— Developments in fruit-on-Paper

— Optical media— Multimedia sources

3. Information Facilities through Networks

— Library automation

— Information retrieval

— Document delivery

— Telecommunication developments

— Netwroks in operation

4. Current Trends and Information Prospects in IT.

— Projection of developments in storage media

— Interlacing devices including human interface

— Virtual library and other aspects

5. Strategies for Adopting New IT on EffectivelyAttracting Information Users.

Call for Papers — Persons interested in presentingpapers at the convention should send full text papers on anyOf the sub-themes mentioned above,to the OrganizingSecretary al Hyderabad latest by 15 December, 1994.

The delegate registration fee is Rs 250. Payment is to bemade by D/D in favour of Secretary callber-95 Payable atHyderabad by 31 Dec. 1994.

Protection with Screen Guard

Computer screens and television screens emit aconsiderable quantity of static electricity. It is generated by thecathode-ray tube that creates the image and which operatesat high-tension (20,000 volts for a standard computer and30,000 volts for a TV screen).

This electrostatic field produces an important migration ofthe particles present In the environment (dust, nicotine). Thenegatively charged particles are attracted to the screen, whichbecomes dusty and the positively charged particles migratetowards the user who receives some 10,000 particles persquare millimetre of skin every hour.


A whole range of screen filters Is available In the market;from anti-glare screens to filters integrated into the screen.

Screen Guard offers complete screen protection. Theprinciple of Screen Guard is to create a 'Faraday Cage' byapplying a liquid conductor on the screen and the case. Thishelps in eliminating the electrostatic field by leading it to earth.For computers, an aluminium band Is placed on the keyboardwhich allows the user to discharge static electricity from thebody. Screen Guard also eliminates the glare from the surfaceof the VDU screen.

— Computers Today, August 1994

Internet Utaga Spirals

The Internet Society announced significant increases inhost computers reachable over the world's largest network inthe latest quarter ended July 1994.

The current measurement—sometimes referred to as the'Internet Walk'—shows 3.2 million reachable machines. This isan increase of 81 percent over the past year, and representsan even steeper than normal increase over the past sixmonths. The Society said 1 million new hosts were addedduring the first six months of 1994 alone. Much of theincreased growth Is attributable to growth outside the USA, inmore than 80 countries. The total number of hosts in the USAis now 2.04 million; India has 316 and China, 325.

The figures were released as part of the Internet DomainSurvey done by Network Wizards. The survey attempts todiscover every host on the Internet by doing a completesearch of the Domain Name System. The figures, gatheredduring late-Jury 1994, reveal a total of 3,212,000 hosts and46,000 domains. In July 1993 these figures were 1,776,000and 26,000 respectively.

The Internet Society Is the International organisation forthe Internet, Its technologies and applications.

— Express Computer, 12 September, 1994

On* Stop Centra for Industry Info

A centre for Information dissemination has been set up byCMC Ltd., Technology Information Forecasting andAssessment Council (TIFAC) and Delhi State IndustrialDevelopment Corporation (DSIDC). Called the Centre forIndustry Information, It will provide Information through onlineaccess to databases from agencies tike the European Space

24 Agency—Information Retrieval Sen/ices.

The Information stored will mainly be reference material,factual data as well as full text on more than 50 millionrecords. It will form a source of Information for fields like

business, politics, banking and even market intelligencereports. Value-added Information on business includestechnology trends, export markets technology sourcing, jointventures feasibility and detailed projects studies.

The centre also provides access to all the TIFAC linesand ESA-IRS databases. TIFAC databases comprise ofinformation on composite technologies, food technology andenergy. The ESA-IRS covers health and safety.

Subscribers to databases on Tlfacline would have to payRs 1,000 and those to international databases would becharged VSNL'S fee plus 15 per cent service charges besidesRs 10,000 as initial deposit.

— Computers Today. June 1994

New CD-ROM Disc

IBM researchers have announced a new optical disc thatcan store much more data than the available. CP-ROM datadisc. Presently available discs can stoe about 0.6 GB. IBMscientists have designed a unit containing several semi-transparent layers each one holding the same amount of anexisting single disc. But the whole stack with its enhancedcapacity can be read by a single laser optical system andhaving same access time reporteJouma/ of Scientific &Industrial Research Sept. 1994.

The present CD-ROM disc—a plastic one revolvesbeneath a laser, lens system and a photodetector. Tiny pitsstamped onto the surface of the disc at the time ofmanufacturing, reflect the light differently than the unmarkedareas. The photodetector registers this pattern.

The new system is made up of a number of layers, eachone semltransparent, so that the device's laser can shinethrough them to focus on any layer in the stack. The samemotor used in the present CD-ROM drives to compensate forwarping is used to move the lens up and down and is enoughto focus and read the desired layer in the stack.

IBM first tested a CD-ROM drive that reads a two layerdisc followed by 4-and 6-layer discs. It has tried 2-and 4-layer"write once" sics also. For achieving higher layers, the realproblem lies In developing materials that would reflect enoughlight from the pits to be read, yet still be transparent enoughfor the laser to shine through to additional layers. Themultllayered discs designed now do not have an aluminiumcoating that Is present in the existing discs.

IBM researchers would like to keep the upwardcompatibility In that the new multllayered CD-ROM disc driveshould be able to read the present single layer discs.


The new disc drives are expected to be available withina year or two. The impact of the new discs may be felt morepronounced on multimedia application where the existingcapacities are not enough to store a feature film in a highquality digital video and audio systems.

Display Option on Fax Machine

Currently available fax machines print the documentsautomatically whether the user need a hard copy or not. Thusdirect mail faxes and mischievous 'junk faxes' pose a seriousproblem. In order to solve this problem, researchers at theCustomer Equipment Department of National Telephone &Telegraphic Co. (NTT), Japan, have developed a "displayfacsimile" that can more received documents in memory andprime them after users view them on a LCD display. Thisequipment has a touch-sensitive panel that makes It easy tooperate.

NTT has developed the equipment using an extendedthin line preservation method for binary Image reduction/conversion to avoid the clipping of the Image. The operatorcan easily change the reduction ratios to select the range ofthe image on the LCD, the user can print In reduced sizealso. It can rotate the fax image in 90, 180 and 270 degree tocorrect for documents sent upside down or side-ways.Horizontal and vertical scrolling is also provided.

The researchers have developed an image processingLSI. Ihe Document Image Controller (DIC) to perform thisprocess at high speed. If this function Is carried out bysoftware, It takes about 10 seconds whereas OIC takes lessthan a second.

It Is possible to store 25 of standard A4-size pages (at aresolution of 3.851/mm) or about 2 pages of photographs. Ithas also S12KB of DRAM for working memory.

The user can easily set up various functions by followingthe guidance on the display. The user can print four M-sizepages on one A4-size page after reducing the original size tohalf, and thus can save paper. He can view the receiveddocuments on the LCD display and can print only thosemarked by him. Also 100 telephone numbers can be enteredinto the machine, and they can be searched by name, the callnumber. Another option provided Is that the user can transporta received document stored in memory to other tax machines.With conventional fax machines, it is necessary to scan theprinted sheets again, but in the new machine, it Is possible totransmit the documnt from memory which avoids the clippingof fading.— Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research, September 1994

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

CISMOD '94

An International Conference on Information Systems andManagement of Data-1994 would be held on 27-28 October,1994 at the Trident, Madras. One day pre-conference tutorialswould be held on 36 October, 1994. The Conference Is beingorganised by iNSDOC, New Delhi, MALIBNET (Madras LibraryNetwork) and Delhi IbnstHute of Technology. The Conferenceis being co-sponsored by the Hindu, Madras.

The main objectives of the conference are: To bring intofocus emerging trends in the area of information systems anddata management; to provide a forum for presenting orglnaland innovative work in this field; and to bring together theprofessionals in this field to share experiences, expertise andchart future direction.

The papers presented during the conference will coverthe following topics:

Data security and protection. Databases insupercomputers; Deductive databases; Design tools;Distributed and federated databases; Historical and temporaldatabases: Hypertext; Multimedia databases; Object orienteddatabases; Office Information systems; Special databases;Statistical databases: Uncertainify handling; Knowledge bases;CASE; Reuse; Process modelling; Mata-CASE; Methodengineering; User Interface design and Requirementsengineering.

Registration Fees:

Conference

Per Tutorial

Rs.

1600

800

us$200

100

50% concession for students

For further details, please contact:

The Secretary, Organising Committee-ClSMOD-94,INSDOC Regional Centre, CSIR Madras Complex. Taramani,Madras-600 113.

MLAI-94

The next annual convention of the Medical LibraryAssociation of India (MLAI-94) will be held at Bangalore In thethird week of December 1994. The following two themes havebeen chosen for discussion: 1. Performance Standards forMedical Libraries and Information Centres In India 2. MedicalLibraries and Information Centres in India by 2001 A.D.For more Information, please contact:

25


26

Dr. R.P, Kumar, Secretary, MLAI, K-43, Kailash Colony,New Delhi-110 048.

ICSSR Data Archives

The Data Archives of ICSSR has been actively engagedin a number ot programmes namely acquisition, organisationand dissemination of data among interested scholars,compilation of the National Register of Social Scientists andextending guidance and consultancy services in dataprocessing to researchers.

The Data Archives, is building a repository of machine-readable numerical data sets generated through the ICSSRfunded projects with a view to facilitating secondary analysisof data by interested scholars. The potential data sets for therepository are Identified on the basis of detailed informationcollected through a proforma. The data is acquired afterscrutinizing the related documentation like, research tools usedfor data collection, sampling design and matching codebooks.During this quarter 12 Project Directors who had completedtheir studies, were approached for this purpose.Simultaneously negotiations are going on with 40 ProjectDirectors for acquisition of data sets.

The compilation and development of Data Base onIndian Industries, jointly funded by ICSSR, Bureau of IndustrialCosts & Prices (BICP) and Industrial Development Bank ofIndia (IDBI) has been completed. In all, forty industries, havebeen covered. Information on various aspects of theseindustries covering the period 1970-1985 Is available in thisdata base. Interested scholars may write to the ExecutiveDirector, Data Archives, ICSSR,

The Data Archives is engaged in compilation andupdating of the National Register of Social Scientists in Indiasince 1987. The heads of all the social science departmentsof Indian universities and the research institutes have beencontacted to request scholars associated with these institutesto supply the required information for the National Registrar.During the period under review, the Data Archives continuedto contact scholars for the supply of desired information forthe National Register and to process and computerize thereceived information.

Scholars engaged in research and or teaching in thedisciplines of Anthropology, Commerce, Communication,Demography, Economics, Education, Geography, History,International Relations, Law, Linguistics, Management, PoliticalScience, Psychology. Public Administration, Sociology, SocialWork and Philosophy are proposed to be covered in the

Register. While every effort Is being made to approachscholars individually or through their affiliating institution, thosewho nave not been contacted so far may write for a copy ofthe proforma for supply of the required information to theExecutive Director, Data Archives, ICSSR, 35 FerozeshahRoad, New Delhi-110 001.

ICSSR Research Grants Information Systems

The Data Archives of ICSSR Is developing acomputerized information system for monitoring of variousresearches funded by the ICSSR. Inputs for the developmentof Research Grants Information System (RGIS) are beingextracted from fine respective records maintained on eachresearch grant on a continuing basis and the data base Isgetting updated. The software for this information system hasbeen developed. The System allows the generation of variousreports and selective access of information needed tormonitoring from time to time by the ICSSR.

Greater Emphasis on Software R&O

With software becoming a major component oftechnology development in recent times, S.Z. Qasim, member,science and technology, Planning Commission has urged fornational research and development (R&D) programmes andmechanisms established for technology transfer to theindustry lo lay sufficient emphasis on this aspect. He wasdelivering his inaugural address at the 'Asia-Pacific RegionalWorkshop on R&D Community-Enterprise Cooperation InTechnological Research and Commercialisation/Applicationsof Results'.

The four-day workshop was orgsanised by the Asia-Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), a wing ofthe Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (Escap)of the United Nations. The aim of the workshop was to findmeans to foster greater cooperation between RAD institutionsand the industrial sector. An important element of theworkshop was a discussion of case studies and countryexperiences. Among other things, the workshop addressedthe question of how developing countries can build aneconomy of sustainable development through technologicaladvancement.

In his welcome address, Jurgen Bischoff, director of theAPCTT, said developing countries are fast losing thecomparative advantages of cheap labour and abundantnatural resources. The developing countries, therefore,need to increase their capabilities in generation, absorptionand utilisation of technologies to narrow the gap withdeveloped countries.


CSI to Draft IntoUch Policy

The Computer Society of Indfe (CSI) has constituted acommittee for drafting a national information technologypolicy under former Department of Electronics secretaryand chairman of CMC Ltd., P. P. Qupta, who is presentlydirector of Centre for Science Policy at JNU. According toCSI president M.L Goyal, "Constitution of this committee wasan attempt to provide the guidelines for the Government andthe IT industry on the future of IT which was so vital forimproving the competitiveness of the economy and Itsgrowth in the liberalised environment The other membersof the committee include veteran computer professionals likeR.S. Pawar, Harish Mehta and Srtdhar Mttta.

UNESCO Directory

Under contract from UNESCO, NASSODOC has agreed to

collect data from India for the following four UNESCOdirectories.

1. Social Science Research and Training Institutions.

2. Peace Research and Training Institutions.

3. Human Rights Research and Training Institutions.

4. Research and Training Institutions In Internationallaw.

Dr A. Lahlrl

At the Xth session of the Inter-Governmental Council ofthe General Information Programme UNESCO held in Parisduring 28-30 Nov. 1994, India's Dr Abhijit Lahlri (Joint AdvisorNISSAT) was elected Vice-Chairman and a Member of theBureau.

UNIDOUNKS

UNIDOLINKS is the new publication which replaces UNIDO Newsletter.

The move responds to a readership survey for the UNIDO Newsletter last year, UNIDOIinkstherefore concentrates on five main areas of readers' interest: expertise and other resourcessought by governments, manufacturers and industrial organisations in developing countries,resources specifically available to them from sources around the world, recent publications andinformation products from UNIDO, forthcoming UNJDO events and other events of interest in thecontext of industrial development.

UNIDOIinks aims to be a practical conduit for industrial cooperation between public andprivate sector entities in developing and developed countries. Reports of UNIDO's programmesand activities on behalf of industrial development in developing countries, which used to appearin the UNIDO Newsletter, will in future be carried by a sister publication, currently underdevelopment.

The October issue of UNIDOIinks is the last is being sent to all previous UNIDO Newsletterrecipients.

A new questionnaire is to be submitted to UNIOO to enable the organisation to draw up anew mailing list tor UNIDOLINKS while considering among other things its financial constraints.

27


SENIOR INFORMATION SCIENTISTrequired by

Thapar Corporate Research & Development Centre (TCRDC), Patiala.

TCRDCRegistered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 and supported by the Thapar Industrial House,TCRDC is a Research Centre recognised by the Department of Science and Technology.Established at a cost of Rs. 20 Crores, ten years ago, the centre undertakes basic and appliedresearch in the fields of Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering,.Energy Systems, Mechanics &Computers, and Materials Science, ft is located in a picturesque 250-acres Thapar TechnologyCampus on the outskirts of Patiala city.

The JobTo provide a total information Service to the research staff of TCRDC and the senior staff ofThapar Group Companies. The incumbent will lead a team of young and bright informationscientists/assistants and head the Centre's Department of Library & Information Services, whichprovides : 1) Library facilities 2) Information Services and 3) Publication and public relationsservices. The focus is on providing on-the-desk current awareness and selective dissemination ofinformation (SDI) services, retrospective searches, and provide the necessary documentary back-up from internal and external sources. Active participation and sharing in Centre's generalconcerns and promotional activities is also required.

The IncumbentFor this senior position, the candidate should preferably have:1) A post-graduate degree in science or a graduate degree in engineering2) A graduate/post-graduate qualification in library and/or Information Science3) At least 10 years experience in a senior position in an Industrial home or a Research &

Development Institution4) Good communication skills and ability to interact with senior research, technical and

management personnelA hands.-on experience of using international data bases and computerization of library &information operations is desirable.

Pay PackageThe successful candidate will be offered an attractive starting salary in an appropriate grade,commensurate with the qualifications & experience. The perks include as per TCRDC's rules:* Free furnished accommodation on the campus * CPF* Medical benefits and hospitanzation * Superannuation* Vehicle purchase scheme * Group insurance* Conveyance allowance * Gratuity* Leave travel assistance

28Interested candidates aspiring for senior position and possessing leadership qualities may send theirbiodata with names of three referees to the Director, Thapar Corporate RA»DCentre, Post box 68, Patiala-1470O1 within one month.

ATECHNOLOGY INFORMATION, FORECASTING &

ASSESSMENT COUNCIL

(T I F A C)

For Technology and Business opportunities

in

'SELECT HIGH-VALUE CHEMICALS'

Consult TIFAC's report on the subject. The report gives an in-depth analysisencompassing ...

Preliminary survey of all chemicals imported into the country - Selection of productcategories of chemicals - Prioritisation of product categories by level of inputs, unitvalue, Enduse applications (Agrochemicals, Polymers and Rubber Additives, SurfaceCoatings, Leather Chemicals, Water Treatment Chemicals, Catalysts, Dyes and TextileAuxiliaries, Additives for Petroleum Products) - Detailed technology assessment for selectnine groups of chemicals - Analysis of industry structure (demand, production, safety& environmental considerations, cost factors)

Price : Rs. 1400/-

For ordering your copy, please contact:

Manager (Office)TIFAC

Department of Science & TechnologyTechnology BhavanNew Delhi- 110016

Tel: Oil - 686 7764, Fax: Oil - 686 3866

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