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Vol.12 No. 3

Editorial Committee

NISSATNEWSLETTER

July-Sgpt. 1993

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,

Dr S. Mallick. SecretarySociety for Information ScienceEMR Division, HRD Group CSIR, CSIR ComplexNew Delhi-110012,

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

Editor: Ram D. TanejaEditorial Office: S-371, Greater Kail ash-INew Delhi-110048,

©1993DSIR, 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 of 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.

Why Can't We Hit theInternational Market?

Sometimes we invite clouds lor their silver lining just theway we promote polluting industries to earn foreign exchangethrough exports. Proliferation of industries on leather andibuprofen in India will drive home the point.

In the sense ot this concept, the information industry isless fortunate. Apart from canned life, the information scientistslive (divorced from environment, in unpleasant coolness anddehumidified atmosphere of computer rooms) and the paperthe/ consume, information industries do not precipitate anyen. ronmental problem. No wonder th-t information industries inthe West do not invite themselves to India

We boast, and perhaps justifiably so, that skills ininformation science and information technology applications areoverflowing in this country. Ultimately however, we only sell ourbrains cheap outside, or participale in generation of westernbrand products and services. As yet we do noi have asoftwarertiardware product that has marked a presence in theinternational market.

Generation of databases is labour intensive. We ottensuggest that the labour costs are low in India and therefore theWest should parcel out the jobs for information collection andcollation to us. This may be partly right but not wholly true. Wedo not take cognizance of the fact that our labour productivity islow, and the work culture vitally necessary for success indatabase ventures, does not exist here. Whereas, our successstories of participation in global activities like AGRIS & IMSindicate that, given a responsibility, our inlormation scientistscould rise to the occassion.

K GO, why do we not put a product or service in trieInternational market?

Today only a few databases like the NASA files cannot beaccessed by the Indian users. Restrictive practices are nowcreeping into SST, The day may not be far off when theterminology "information in public domain" will make no sense.Or else, the prices might be pegged at astronomically highlevels making it virtually impossible for the developing countriesto use the databases. The situation all the more calls fordevelopment of endogenous capabilities, and commerciallytradeable products and services.

The common feeling is that the products and servicesalready in the international market cover the entire breadth anddepth of human knowledge and there is no scope left fordeveloping countries like India to enter the field now. Thoughinfinite scope for production of value-added items in nicheareas and for internationalizing Indian information exist, wehave only been looking for sub-contractor roles as in the caseof FSTA or Current Contents.

While collaborative arrangements may continue, we shouldstrive for establishing unadulterated and solely Indian brand otinformation products or services in the international marketplace, not necessarily with a commercial motive, but to instilprestige and confidence in the information scientist communityin India.

— A. Lahiri

NISSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 3, 1993

NISSAT

NEWSLETTER

Vol. 12 No. 3 July-Sept. 1993

CONTENTS

Why Can't We Hit the International Market? 1

Design and Creation of Factual Databases Using CCF (F): UNESCO-NISSATExperts Meet on Factual Databases 3

Status of CDS/ISIS Training and Use in Asia and the Pacific: Regional Report 8

CCF: The Common Communication Format, Edition 3 (1992) 13

CD-ROM Online Users: Second National Meet 15

INFLIBNET: Current Programme 19

TIFAC-CMC-DSIDC Centre for Industry Information 20

Upgrade NISSAT Infrastructure to Reinforce Efforts—Evaluation Committee Report 22

A Multilingual Computer Aided Translating System will Handle Nine Languages 24

ASTINFO/INDIA, New Delhi: Ninth Consultative Committee Meeting 26

News and Events 27


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Design and Creation ofFactual Databases Using

CCF (F): UNESCO-NISSATExperts Meet on Factual

Databases

The National Information System (or Science &Technology (NISSAT) organized a two weekExperts Meet on Design & Creation of FactualDatabases using CCF (F) during April 19-30, 1993at Technology Bhawan, New Delhi.

Objective

On the basis of the CCF (F): CommonCommunication Format (Factual) (Part 2 of CCFEdn.3) developed by the PGI/UNESCO, the effortwas mainly to:

i. identify mandatory and optional data elementsin the design and creation of factualdatabases

ii. formulate data collection procedures andforms and

iii. create sample factual databases on CDS/ISISand help NISSAT testing CCF(F) as an IndianImplementation.

Resource Person

Professc Peter Simmons of ColumbiaUniversity acted the UNESCO/PGI resourceperson.

Proceedings

The first week commencing 19 April 1993 wasdevoted to institutions involved in databaseactivities/generating various kinds of directories —persons, institutions and projects to elicit

their opinion on the data elements provided byCCF(F). The following institutions attended thedeliberations:

Prof. Peter Simmons (Columbia University),UNESCO Resource Person Conducting the

Programme

Databases onI LA

INSTITUTIONS

DSIR —

CDC —

Nalanda: a directory ofIndian LibrariesIn-House R&DInstitutionsNational Directory ofConsultants

TIFAC — Standardsbase,Expertsbase

Databases on INDIVIDUALSTIFAC —ISTA —CSIR/ —DSTPI AMR —

INSA —

ExpertsbasePanel of TranslatorsCSIR Directory of CSIRScientistsManpower ResourcesInformationDirectory of Members,Fellows

Databases on PROJECTSTeledirect — Kompass databasesBTIS — Research Profile of

Biotechnology Activitiesin India—Directory


Apart from these. National Union Catalogue ofScientific Serials in India/INSDOC and Directoryof Scientific Institutions/INSDOC, were alsoconsulted.

Based on the discussions with the participants,Professor Peter Simrnons and the NISSATprofessionals (Mr. B.C. Sunder Singh and Mrs.Kamini Shacma) worked out the modifications toCCF(F). Based on the modified version of CCF(F),a sample database was created by the NISSATStaff. FACTS was created on CDS/ISIS. The FieldDefinition Table, Worksheets —PERS, PROJ,INST, a single display format for conditionaldisplay of type of records —i.e. PERS. PROJ andINST was designed.

The data elements identified for each type ofrecord—institutions, persons, projects are given inTable-1.

Participants' Group

Table-1 Consolidated Listing of Mandatory/Optional Data Elements for CC(F) for Use In India

001

020

022

Record identifier

Source of RecordA Agency in coded formB Name of AgencyC Code SystemD Rules for descriptionL Language of the Name

Date Entered on FileA Date

Project

M

M

M

Institution

M

M

M

Person

M

M

M

040 Language of EntityA Primary LanguageB Secondary Language

062 Type of factual informationA Type (R)

086 Field to field linking (R)A Field linked fromB Relationship codeC Field Linked to

088 Record to record linking (R)A Linked Record IdentifierB Relationship code

125 Project number (R)A Project NumberB Type of Number

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

O

M

M

M

(Contd.)NISSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 3, 1993

130 Contract number (R)A Contract Number (R)

200 TitleA Title (R)L Language of titleS Script of title

210 Title in other language (R)A TitleL Language of titleS Script of title

300 Name of person (R)A Entry elementB Other elementsC Additional elements (R)D Date of birth and/or deathE Role coded (R)F Role non-coded (R)G SexZ Authority

310 Name of Institution (R)A Entry elementB Other parts of name (R)C Qualifier (R)E Country of InstitutionF Role coded (R)G Role non-coded (R)L Language of Entry elementS Script of Entry elementX Variant form of the Name (R)Y Former name (R)Z Authority Record Number

330 Affiliation (R)A Entry elementB Other parts of nameC Qualifier (R)D Address (R)E Country of Affiliation (R)F Relationship Language of Affiliation

430 Address (R)A Building/Institution (R)B Street address (R)C Town or city (R)D State or Region (R)E CountryF Postal CodeG Post Box NumberH Telephone Number (R)I Telegraphic Address (R)J Telex number {R)K Fax number (R)L Electronic mail Address (R)N Note (R)

448 Dates of entity (R)A Date formalizedB Date not formalizedC Duration

O

M

M O M

M M M

O O

O O O

O O


6

500 Note (R)A Note

600 Abstract/Description (R)A Abstract/DescriptionL Language of Abstract/Description

610 Classification scheme notation (R)A Notation (R)B Name of schemeC Code of Classification scheme

620 Subject Descriptor (R)A Subject descriptor (R)B Name of Subject systemC Type of Subject Descriptor

700 Human Resources (R)A Level of responsibilityB Number of personsC Area of responsibility

705 Equipment and other resources (R)A Equipment (R)B Other resources (R)

710 Financial Resources (R)A Financial Resources (R)

715 Income components (R)A Source of fundingB Amount of FundingC Time period or phaseD Additional information (R)

716 Expenditure components (R)A Type of componentB AmountC Time periodD Additional information (R)

800 NationalityA nationality (R)

810 Educational Qualifications (R)A Educational Qualifications

820 Experience of Person (R)A DatesB InstitutionC ResponsibilitiesD Additional Information

860 Project StatusA Status

920 Membership {R)A Name of the organizationB Additional Information

925 Award (R)A Name of the AwardB Additional Information

960 Products/ServicesA Products or Services (R)

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

N1SSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 3, 1993

During the Second Week i.e., from 26 to 30thApril, 93 the participants tested the FACTSdatabase (using CDS/ISIS) by entering actual data.The objective of this exercise was to create asample database and to see whether the dataelements were enough for developing a factualdatabase on Projects, Persons and Institutionsusing CCF(F). The following comments were givenby the participants:

General Comments

The time given was too short to define all thedata elements required for each entity andtherefore, the minimum fields were selected foreach entity.

Some of the data elements have too manysub-fields which will make data entry processdifficult. Create three separate worksheets forpeople, project and institutions so as to facilitatethe data entry process easy and fast.

CDS/ISIS is used for the creation of People,Institution and Project database with CCF(F)format. Other software packages should also beused to test this format.

The existing software may not process thedata elements, as desired

i) if subfields are repeated when fields arenon-repeatable.

ii) to link the fields and also the records.

iii) if there are more than one field indicators.

Major changes may have to be made-especially in the context of CDS/ISIS.

Recommendations

1. An Indian version of CCF(F) — sample data-base may be created for distribution.

2. An Indian CCF(F) Implementation document togo with 1.

3. Selection of data elements for the descriptionof books, periodicals, reports, theses, carto-graphic materials, patents and standards madeduring these deliberations may form the basisfor CCF(B) for Indian CDS/ISIS users.

4. An implementation document for CCF(B) maybe prepared as an alternative to INDIMARCeffort keeping in view the requirements ofsmall and medium sized S&T library andinformation centres in India. Followingdiscussion on the subject with the resourceperson, it was suggested that NISSATshould request Mr. Asoke Mukhopadhyay[Librarian, Indian Institute of Managementand Member —CALIBNET Task Force andStandards Committee] to undertake this task.

Another document for implementation ofUNIMARC may also be prepared subsequently.

5. The CCF Teaching aid (Unesco project) testedduring this session, may now be distributed.

6. Sample database definitions of CCF(B),CCF(F) and UNIMARC may al$o be put onCDS/ISIS distribution disk at NISSAT.

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Status of CDS/ISISTraining and Use in

Asia and the Pacific:A Regional Report

Patricia B. Carino, Institute of Library Science,University ol the Philippines, Diliman

(Continued from Vol. 8, No. 2, 1993)

8

4.1.3 Special Courses

A majority of the training courses now offeredfall under this category and these may beclassified into three types: training on a specificaspect of library or information work; courses forinformation networks or resource-sharing systems;and as part of a bigger and longer-term course.

Training on specific library operations. Onlyone such course is noted among the countryreports, that of Thailand, on the construction ofkeywords for information storage and retrieval. Itwill be offered in November 1992 and will con-centrate on keyword construction only. The coursewill last for four days. There was no indication oftrainee entry prerequisite (e.g., prior CDS/ISISexperience), although the report indicates that thecourse is already fully subscribed to and a secondrun is planned immediately after the first.

Training for network participants or aparticular Institution. This is the most commontype of special training reported. Its coverage issimilar to the beginner's course mentioned earlier,except that it concentrates on the specific formatused by the network. Examples are Chulalinet inThailand, APINMAP and INNERTAP in thePhilippines, EISA in Australia, and the variousnational networks in China, India, Vietnam, and SriLanka. In the case of Thailand, there are two typesol courses, depending on the type of recordhandled by the applications: monographs orserials. In India, NISSAT provides training of thistype for the ISIS packages which the institution isproviding to users. In these courses, usersmanuals written for the network are used duringthe course.

Institutions which have decided to adopt CDS/ISIS for their operations generally request traininginstitutions for courses especially tailored to theirneeds. The coverage is similar to the "beginner"level, except that examples and operations aredirectly related to the institution's areas ot interest.Preparation for these courses may entail longercourse design time, taking into considerationinterviews with the requesting institution and thedevelopment of a sample application that theinstitution may already use.

CDS/ISIS training as part of anotherprogram. In several cases, CDS/ISIS is used as asample software, along with other softwares, intraining programs on library and informationmanagement. In this case, CDS/ISIS is only amodule within the bigger program and may not becovered in as great detail as in other types ofCDS/ISIS training courses. In India, CDS/ISISPASCAL is also covered. Example of this type ofcourse are BISA in Australia, the post-graduatelevel information program in India and systemsdesign courses at UPILS.

4.2 CDS/ISIS Training Institutions

The national distribution centers are relied upon toconduct CDS/ISIS training courses. Due tologistical limitations, however, other institutions orassociations are now taking charge of providingtraining to both new and old CDS/ISIS users. Mostnotable ol these are the national users groups.Trainers usually are personnel of the traininginstitute, although external training personnel maysometimes be called upon to assist.

NISSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 3. 1993

4.3 Course Information and Admission 4.5 Training Problems

Information on forthcoming courses in somecountries is announced through special coursebrochures or advertisements {e.g., UNSW inAustralia, Chulalongkorn in Thailand, NISSAT inIndia). Others send invitations directly to pros-pective participants on an individual or institutionalbasis. In most cases, however, courses areconducted as the need arises, that is, when asufficient number of requests have been receivedto enable the training institution to schedule acourse.

These announcements usually include entryprerequisite for participants. A problem commonlyencountered by training institutions, mostespecially by the trainers, is disparity in actualknowledge and experience of the applicants on theuse of computers and DOS.

4.4 Methodology and Training Materials

CDS/ISIS trainers in various part of the regionuse a variety of methods. The most common arelecture, demonstration and hands-on, case study,and practicum/exercises. For bigger groups, thetrainer, would normally require technical assistantsor facilitators, who would assist the trainer inguiding the trainees during demonstration, hands-on and workshop sessions.

Trainers use self-developed workbooks, lecturenotes, and visual aids. The English and locallanguage versions of the CDS/ISIS ReferenceManual (China, Korea, and Thailand) are alsoused. Pre-developed databases, including the CDSsample database, are used extensively. Computersare allocated at a ration of 2-3 participants to amachine.

Course evaluation is commonly done, coveringsuch aspects as achievement of objectives, qualityof training, competence of lecturers, trainingmaterials, and facilities, and overall assessment ofthe manner in which the course was conducted.

While the overall evaluation is usuallyfavourable, trainees always comment on the lackof time to fully explore CDS/ISIS capabilities duringthe courses. Training institutes, therefore, arepressured to provide longer and more trainingcourses in spite of limitations in the availability oftraining staff.

Respondents are asked to indicate problemsencountered during training courses. Results canbe divided into two areas: trainee-related, andtraining opportunities and facilities-related.

4.5.1 Trainee-Related Problems

Technology has advanced at a very fast rate,yet many information professionals have not beenable to ride the tide, so to speak. In a singlecourse, trainers are confronted with participantswith varying levels of knowledge and expertise onusing computers and basic disk operating systemscommands. It is difficult to determine how muchintroductory material should be included for asingle batch of trainees. It may be possible toscreen participants through application forms butcertain situations, mainly due to large demands fortraining, cannot be avoided, such as:

• when a course is offered for a singleinstitution or information network and thedecision to include/exclude trainees ismade by the requesting or participatinginstitution;

• when a course for big groups is on a fixedschedule and the slots are filled on a first-served basis by trainees with varyinglevels of computer knowledge (e.g., thosewith word processing skills only vs thosewith programming experience); or

• when a course is scheduled as requestscome in and the training institution decidesit has enough trainees or participants tooffer a course cost-effectively.

It also happens that some trainees attendedmore than one course of the same kind. Onefactor that leads to this is their inability toimmediately apply what they learned in the coursewhen they go back to their offices. Another is thatthe course duration (especially beginner-levelcourses) is insufficient to make trainees good ISISapplication designers. As with CDS/ISIS as asoftware package, trainees expect to get a lot qmore than what the training course is intended tooffer!

NISSAT NEWSLETTER NO 3, 199*

4.5.2 Training Opportunities and Facilities-Related Problems

either unsuitable or in a language (and script!) theycannot read.

This area covers the following: large demand(or training, hardware, software (training materials),course duration, and trainer availability.

Large demand. Training institutions areunable to cope with user need for training. Theyacknowledge that many of the difficulties faced byusers in using CDS/ISIS can be solved by propertraining, yet they are usually not in a position toconduct courses as often and in as many differentplaces in the country as possible. The typicalgroup size is between 20 to 30 trainees, althoughsome courses had as many as 70 in a singlegroup. There are efforts to offer courses on a fixedschedule and these are always over-subscribed,with a lot of applicants turned down or put in thewaiting list. There seems to be no problem withpaying the course fee, as long as applicants are,accepted into a course.

National distributors attempt to train new usersas soon as they acquire the software. Even this,however, has been inadequate, considering thatthe distributors generally have limitations onmanpower and facilities available to them.

Hardware. Hardware facilities are ofteninadequate or simply unavailable to enable thetraining institution to conduct courses for biggergroups. The typical ration is 2-3 participants forevery machine, while for tutorial groups (4-6trainees), computers can be assigned on 1:1basis. One country reported that as many as fivetrainees had to share a computer! This inadequacygreatly diminishes the quality of learning acquiredduring the training.

Software. There is also a lack of trainingmaterials, such as especially designed workbooksand user manuals. Trainers have had to use theCDS/ISIS Reference Manual (English and locallanguage versions), which is loo technical forbeginning ISIS users. There have been attempts toprepare simplified versions ot the manual, as wellas lecture notes, workbooks and visual aids.However, these need continued revisions to adapt

10 them to trainee requirements. Trainers do not havethe time to do this. Availability of training materialselsewhere is generally unknown to trainers; if theydo manage to locate these, the materials are

Course duration. A common complaint oftrainees is that the course duration is too short.Training courses usually run for five days. Unlessthere is provision for evening hands-on sessions,the usual work-day schedule (6-7 hours) isinsufficient for practicum and exercises, in additionto the lectures. Many training institutions areconsidering extending their courses; however, theyare faced by other problems already mentioned. Itmay be worth noting at this point tiat at theUPILS, trainees in advanced courses are giventime between the "beginner-level" and 'advanced-level" parts of the course (usually one week) to goback to their offices, practice and come back forproblem-solving sessions and to learn the morecomplicated feature of CDS/ISIS. The out-of-classroom practicum enables the participants towork on their own. given a second case studyspecilication for a design of practical use to them,and explore CDS/ISIS in a more natural workenvironment.

A solution to this problem is the provision of"hotlines" which allows new and just-trained usersto phone in their questions and problems. Thissolution, on the other hand, has resulted inanother problem: more pressure on the nationaldistributors and trainers. Whenever users areunsuccessful with the hotlines, it is very easy forthem to make a trip to the distributor to have theirproblems solved immediately. This problem hasbeen eased somewhat through the users' groupsand informal networks of users within a particularvicinity.

Trainer-related. The basic problem is the lackof trainers. Those who are involved in CDS/ISIStraining activities are also employed full-time andhave to fit CDS/tSIS courses in their schedules.

Two qualifications are needed to teach CDS/ISIS: experience as an ISIS user and experienceas a trainer. Oftentimes, it is only the firstrequirement that is fulfilled. Trainees havecomplained that some trainers tend to usetechnical terms only or too early into the course,thereby making the understanding of the softwareeven more difficult. CDS/ISIS trainers have to betrained themselves on teaching methodologies,such as how to write training materials, produce


visual aids, deliver lectures, etc. While courseevaluation is done in many cases, only a generalstatement on the competence of the resourceperson is taken without delving deeper into thequality ol the instruction.

4.6 Shareware Information

There is willingness to share training materials(brochures and course design) with others. Sometraining manuals, such as those used byChulalongkorn, are available for a fee. There areefforts to compile bibliographies on CDS/ISIStraining materials available in the region. One isbeing done in Malaysia by the user group. Aproblem, of course, is that only a few of theseare in English, the only language commonlyunderstood in the region.

5.0 Conclusion

In spite of the problems currently faced byusers, there is a general optimism in the regionthat the demand for and use of CDS/ISIS willcontinue to grow. Several factors, some leading tothe others, account for this assessment:

1. CDS/ISIS is increasingly becoming the defacto software for information networkingactivities, both at the national and regionallevels. These networks adopt commonformats which lead to the development of"standard" formats for the exchange ofdatabases. The import/export functions ofCDS/ISIS enable users to convert ISISdatabases into their own without problems.

2. With the positive experiences of currentusers and the popularity it enjoys, CDS/ISIS has become the logical choicewhen a library considers automatingits operations. Therefore, CDS/ISIS isseen to play a dominant role in thecomputerization of library and informationfunctions.

3. Users' groups are foreseen to play agreater role in the promotion of CDS/ISISuse. These groups have proven to beeffective partners of the nationaldistribution centers in providing technicalsupport to members, conducting trainingcourses, and keeping members informed

of developments in the applicationsavailable within the country.

4. Some countries enjoy the advantage of anational information policy which enablesnational distributors to perform their taskswith minimal problems regarding man-power and financial support.

5. In countries where non-Roman scripts areused, the availability of local languageversions of the software has increasedinterest in learning more about CDS/ISISand how it can help organizations in theirwork. This is true to Thailand, Korea,China, India and Vietnar...

6. Experiments in the use of CDS/ISIS withCD-ROM technology are also a positivedevelopment. With increased automation,databases are getting much larger andfaster, necessitating the use of biggercapacity storage devices, an advantageCDs have .

All concerned parties—national distributors,trainers, users—can fully benefit from thefruits of these developments only if theyexert efforts to cooperate with each other.To this end, the following courses of actionare proposed.

1. On the use and distribution of CDS/ISIS

1.1 National distributors, in collaboration withtheir user groups, should compile up-to-date directories of users, applications,training programs, and other information ofinterest to users. These directories willfacilitate greater interaction among users inrelation to solving problems and sharingexperiences in the use of CDS/ISIS. As afirst step, the preliminary nationalconducted for the meeting of trainers anddistributors can be completed and regularlyupdated.

1.2 National distributors should encouragedata base designers to prepare usermanuals for each application, program and 11utility they develop. The reports show thata lot of CDS/ISIS databases are alreadyin existence and yet very few are


documented. Designers should be madeconscious of the important part a usermanual plays in the effective use of thesedatabases.

1.3 More user groups should be established,involving the national distributors,professional library associations and otheragencies concerned with libraries .andinformation centers. In certain countrieswhere geography is a factor, the formationof regional or provincial user groups mightbe worth considering. ,

2. On the training of users

2.1 Wore CDS/ISIS trainers have to bedeveloped to augment the current numberof trainers- They should be providedopportunities to acquire or hone their skillsin teaching and developing trainingmaterials.

2.2 Institutions offering training courses shouldcoordinate with each other in order thatthey achieve a level of commonality interms of course design and coverage. Inthis way, a user who has been trained byone institution wishing to acquire furthertraining has the option to attend a courseoffered by another without being concernedthat the second course is only a duplica-tion of the first or is too advanced.

2.3 A wide range of training materials shouldbe developed, using varied media thatallow for group and individual study.

Existing training materials should beimproved and regularly updated as thesoftware i tself is continuously beingimproved. If possible, preparation of thesematerials should be a cooperative effortbetween trainers and users to ensuresuitability of content and presentation tovarious types of trainees.

3. On the overall coordination of CDS/ISISoperations

3.1 Communication between UNESCO as thedeveloper of CDS/ISIS and the nationaldistributors should be improved. Likewise,communication between the nationaldistributors and users in their countriesshould be improved.

3.2 A network of national distributors andusers' groups in the region can bedeveloped, formally or informally, to furtherdisseminate information on CDS/ISISactivities beyond national boundaries.

3.3 Finally, CDS/ISIS national distributors andtraining institutions should attempt toacquire more support from various sectors(such as their host institutions, professionalassociations and national informationagencies) to augment their manpower andother resources and enable them tosuccessfully implement their plans andprojects,

— Reproduced from ASTINFO NewsletterVol. 8, No. 2, 1993

1 2


Contact NISSATif you areproducing databases

( bibliographic, numeric & factual )or

you have plans to do so

Are you enterprising ?

Prove it by arrangingadvertisements

for the NISSAT Newsletter

of advertisement valueas an incentive

For Thesis

446 Dates related to thesisSubfields:— A Date— B Type date

For Maps470 Mathematical data for cartographic

materialSubfields:— A Statement of scale— B Statement of projection— C Statement of co-ordinates— D Statement of equinox

Other Types125 Project number < for reports, theses >

Subfields:— A Project number— B Type of number

Other Types130 Contract number < for reports >

Subfield:— A Contract number

465 Price and BindingSubfields:— A Price— B Binding— C Date of price

3. Field 088 record to record linking has beenadded to permit links to other records from theprimary segment.

4. Minor changesIn field 022: First indicator shows whetherfield contains date of record creation or ofentry on file.In field 060: Codes have been added for other

types of material.Codes:

100 - Textual14 105 = Report/technical report

110 = Thesis, dissertation115 = Meeting document120 = Periodical.

125 = Newspaper130 « Annual135 = Patent document140 = Standard145 = Irregular serial150 = Monographic series199 = Other textual materials900 = Non-textual material905 = Projected and video material910 = Sound recordings915 = Music scores920 = Computer media925 = Graphics930 = Multimedia935 = Artifacts and realia

In field 440: Indicator is replaced by subfield C.i.e. C Type of date

Codes:0 = not specified1 = date of publication2 = date of coverage3 = date of copyright4 = aproximate date of publication

In field 610: Subfield C added for ClassificationScheme Code i.e.

Subfield:— C Classification Scheme Code.

Codes:U = UDCD = DDCL = LC

In field 620: Subfield added for subjectdescriptor code. i.e.

Subfield:— C Type of Subject Descriptor Code.Codes:

0 — Topical Subject1 — Geographic Subject2 — Chronological Subject9 — Unknown Type

A detailed version of the changes as providedin CCF (B) can be had from NISSAT/DSIR.Subsequent to the Unesco—NISSAT Experts Meeton CCF (F), the document CCF (F)/l — an Indianversion is under preparation.

— Sunder Slngh & Kamfni SharmaNISSAT/DSIR, New Delhi.


CD-ROM Online Users:Second National Meet

As a follow up of the first national meet of CD-ROM online users held in July 1992, NISSAT incollaboration with the Society for InformationScience organized the above Group Meeting atDST New Delhi during 1 5 - 1 6 July 1993. Theobjective was to pick up the thread and examinethe present national scenario, experiences andproblems in the area. About 60 participantsattended the conference. At four sessions 25presentation were made. These were capped by aPanel Discussion which was devoted lo issues likeacquisitionsr customs clearance, etc. Dr LaxmanPrasad, Joint Adviser, DST guided the discussion.

Inauguration

Dr A Lahiri. Jt Adviser (NISSAT) set the ballrolling by extending a warm welcome to theparticipants. In the inaugural address, DR S.S.Murthy, Director, DESIDOC highlighted theproblems faced by the Institution in theprocurement, use and updating of .CD-ROMdatabases. Dr Murthy urged NISSAT to takefollow-up actions on the recommendationemanating from the conference.

Dr S. Mallick, Secretary Society for InformationScience proposed a vote of thanks at theconclusion of the inaugural session.

The proceeduings of the various sessions aresummarised below:

Session I: CD-ROM —Scenario andExperiences

Chairman: Shri P.C. Shah, Coordinator,NICTAS /ATIRA, Ahmedabad

Eight papers were presented at this Session

Ms. Naina Pandit, NIC gave presentation onCD-ROM databases in Health and MedicalScience, Online Services offered by ICMR/NIC andother facilities like E-mail and Networking.

Ms Veena Mishra, Manager (I&D) RDCIS Ranch I(second front Left) Chairing the concludingsession to present a round-up of the deli-berations. Also seen in the picture are (I or r)Shrl V.K. Varun (NISSAT) Ms T.A. Pandalal

and Ms Savlta Dhaml

Shri I.R.N. Goudar, NtCDROM, NAL made acomprehensive presentation covering almost allaspects of CD-ROM databases and technology.He gave some valuable statistics relating to theCD-ROM products, software, their producers,hardware and other requirements for establishing aCD-ROM Work Station etc. He pointed out thatthere are about 100 such work stations in thecountry. About 75 MEDLINE, 40 COMPENDEXand other databases are available in differentinstitutions. A breakup of those available in theCSIR labs was given.

Shri V.G. Deodhar, NICHEM/NCL in hispresentation briefed about the CD-ROMdatabases—bibliographic as well as full textavailable in the market in chemistry and alliedfield.

Shri A.K. Chattopadhyay GIST made apresentation on business databases. He explainedin detail the features of Predicast.

Dr T.B. Rajasekher, NCSl persented his paperon Image Reference and Numeric Databases. Heexplained in detail the features of each type givingexamples.


16

Mr. I.R.N. Goudar's second presentationhighlighted CD-ROM databases in engineering andtechnology.

Shri C.K. Hayatnagarkar, CWPRS also madea presentation on CD-ROM databases inengineering and technology, with special referenceto his experiences in CWPRS mentioning thedatabases available inhouse and on CD-ROM.

Shri Madan Mohan, DBT, combining his twopresentations gave a picture of the inhouse andCD-ROM databases available at DBT. He alsogave a list of Software in Bio-technology, availablein the market

Session II: CD-ROM Services

Chairman : Shri I.R.N. Goudar, Coordinator,NICDROM/NAL, Bangalore

Five papers were presented in this session.

Shri Asoke Mukhopadhyay, IIMC covered oneof the most important aspects of CD-ROMdatabases, its use in retrospective data conversion.He gave.examples of various sources, cost-benefit,etc. The paper generated lively discussion.

Prof. M.T. Lagare of Gulbarga Universitypresenting his paper on CD-ROM databasesavailable at his university produced someinteresting comparative figures in terms of theexpenditures involved in the procurement of copyas well as CD-ROM versions of the databases.

Shri A.K. Tyagi of DESIDQC described theCD-ROM databases being procured and theproblems being faced.

Ms. T.A. Pandalai, INSDOC briefed the use ofthe CD-ROM version of the Science Citation Indexin the Bibliometric activities undertaken byINSDOC.

Dr T.B. Rajashekar, in his second paper, gavean informative presentation on the services offeredby NCSI.

Session III: Online Services

Chairman : Shri M.S. Srikantiah,NICMAP/CMTI, Bangalore

In this session five papers were presented.


Participants' Group

Shri V.G. Deodhar, NICHEM/NCL giving anoverview of the NACID centres. He gave anaccount of the Online Services rendered at thePoona Centre.

Shri I.R.N. Goudar spoke on whether moreNACID centres are required. He pointed out thatthe present centre is a concentration of NACIDcentres in CS1R and that other institutions shouldcome forward to support more centres.

Shri V.G. Deodhar's last paper covered indetail CA File on Online giving examples ofsearches.

Shri S. Ramakrishna, DOE explained thefeatures of ERNET and its role in the OnlineServices.

Shri S.K. Arora of INSDOC gave an account ofthe INSDOC Online Services highlighting some ofthe searches done and the revenue earned.

Session IV : Vendor Presentation

Chairman : Shri Asoke MukhopadhyayMM, Calcutta

There were five presentations in this session.

The Chairman in his opening remark, said thatit is high time, the vendors and producers of theCD-ROM services come closer in order to help thelibrarians and other users to procure the productsin this new area.

Shri. N. Kumar of ABI Books (P) Ltd

highlighted the services and products offered bythem. He mentioned that they have plans to go forCD-ROM publishing as well. He also referred tothe discount offers on CD-ROM databases likeMedline and ADONIS.

Informatics India Ltd was represented by ShriSanjay Grover, who gave an insight into theactivities of Informatics (I) Ltd, highlighting theirstatus, products and services including trainingprogrammes offered by them. He also enumeratedthe features of DIALOG, DIALOG on Disc.

Shri Soumitra Biswas representing TIFAC,made a comprehensive presentation on TIFAC andits services offered through various databases.

Session IV : Continued

Chairman : Mr. K.A. Ranganath, CoordinatorN1CFOS/CFTRI, Mysore

There were two more presentations.

Shri Arif Samshad of GIST, mentioning thatthis being a new venture of Universal Sub-scriptions Agency, is not a competitor in themarket at present. However, he elaborated theirplans regarding the products and services.

Shri Satish Mannadiar of Dataware Con-sultants, outlined the products and services offeredby them.

The Chairman summing up the sessionremarked that there is going to be toughcompetition of vendors which, eventually is likely toimprove the services, thus ending the monopoly.

Session V : CD-ROM/Online Selection,Acquisition, Customs Clearance,Issues etc. Panel Discussion

Chairman : Dr Laxman Prasad, Joint AdviserDST, New Delhi

The panel consisted of Shri S.M. Dhawan,NPL; Shri N.V. Sathyanarayana, Informatics (I)Ltd.; Shri C.K. Hayatnagarker, CWPRS; Shri V.G,Deodhar, NICHEM/NCL and Shri N. Kumar. ABIBooks (P) Ltd.

In this opening remark, the chairman observedthat there had been an increase in the

procurement of CD-ROM by non-commercialinstitutions and duty exemption upto 15% hadbeen extended to R&D institutions procuring theirproducts.

Problems faced in the procurement of CD-ROMand other material on electronic media

Mr. S.M. Dhawan enumerated threeproblems—delay, irregularity and inconveniencedue to the procedure in involved. He suggestedthat material procured for R&D work should not besubjected to customs duty.

Shri V.G. Deodhar agreed with Shri Dhawanon the problems, but stated that they weremanaging the procurement by making payment ofpostal charges or the duty as the case may be.

Shri C.K. Hayatnagarkar did not face anyproblems in the selection criteria of CD-ROM ofdatabases and Shri Dhawan was of the opinionthat unless one can sustain the cost of thesedatabases, the hard copy should be opted.

Shri N.V. Kumar referred to occassions whenthey have to pay 150% duty when receivedthrough courier and Rs. 200/- per disc otherwise.

Shri N. Sathyanarayana dwelt on the ImportPolicy (1992-93) the duty structure touching issuesunder FERA.

Discussing the problems put forward by thepanel members, Shri Goudar suggested thatcertificates can be issued on the basis ofinformation supplied by the user to the effect thatsuch material was likely to be received, thusmaking the clearence much easier.

Dr Rajasekher supported Shri Goudar'ssuggesion and added that notification can carrycertificate to the effect that the consignmentcontains educational material. He also suggestedthat the supplier should be asked to start thesupply only after receiving the certificate fromcompetent authority.

Dr Lahiri generally agreed that the definition ofbook may be extended to materials on electronicmedia as well. He further suggested that we 17should consider getting clearence of theconsignment in one go.

The Chairman summed up the session and


advised that due consideration should be given toall suggestions made before we put forward thesolutions to the concerned authority.

Session VI : Summing up

Chairperson : Ms. Veena Mishra, Manager (I&D)RDCIS, Ranch!

Rapporteurs: Ms. T.A. Pandalai and Ms. SavrtaDhami INSDOC, New Delhi

The rapporteurs presented summary of the

deliberations and discussions at various sessions.

!n his vote of thanks, Shri Vimal Kumar Varun,NISSAT, thanked Dr A. Lahiri, Joint Advisor,NISSAT lor his valuable guidance, Dr S.S. Murthy,Director, DESIDOC, for the inauguration, Dr S.Mallick, Sectary Society of Information Science forthe excellent arrangements and all the chair-persons of differet sessions. He also thanked allthe participants for their active participation inmaking the conference a sucess, the vendors forthe presentation and demonstration of theirproducts and services.

Perspectives of Multi-media Information Services inIndia: SIS Aunual Convention and Conference

The theme of the Aunual Convention of the Society for Information Science Scheduled to be held inNew Delhi during 27-29 January 1994 is 'Perspectives of Multi-Media Information Services in India.

Recent Advances in mufti-media applications have provided a quantum jump to the techniques ofinformation handling and dissemination. The conference will highlight state-of-the-art on multi-mediasystems and services and its future scenario—something that will be of immense benefit to informationmanagers and professionals. Technical sessions are planned on the following topics:

a)b)c)d)

Multi-media systemsMulti-media servicesMulti-media applications

Multi-media networksThere will also be pre-conference tutorials on topics related to the theme.Participation fees are as follows:For Conference:

Members of SIS Rs 500

Non. members Rs 600Tutorial fee Rs 300

1 8

The venue of the conference is INSDOC, 14 Satsang Vihar Marg, New Delhi-110067. For detailsplease contact: Dr S. Mallick, Secretary, Society for Information Science, CSIR Complex, Dr. K.S. KrishnanMarg, New Delhi-110012.


INFLIBNET : CurrentProgramme

Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET)a programme of the University GrantsCommission, was launched in May 1991 . Themain aim of INFLIBNET is to establish a nationalcomputer-communication network to link librariesand information centres in universities, colleges,deemed universities, UGC information centres,institutions of national importance, R&D institu-tions, etc; and thereby improve capability ininformation handling and services. It is aprogramme for academic excellence to beachieved through establishment of a mechanismfor information transfer and access to supportscholarship and academic work. It will facilitatepooling, sharing and optimisation of scarce libraryresources. As a major programme it will helpmodernise libraries and information centres in thecountry through application of informationtechnology. INFLIBNET will be a multiple function/service network, providing the following services:

a) Catalogue based servicesb) Database services

c) Document supply service (Fax/Non-Fax)

d) Collection Development

e) Communication based services viz. Referral,E-Mail, Bulletin Board, Audio/Video/ComputerConferencing, etc.

The National Centre of INFLIBNET is locatedin Gujarat University campus at Ahmedabad. Atpresent, INFLIBNET aims at computerising andnetworking of university/college libraries. Everyyear, INFLIBNET Programme will identify anumber of university libraries to be taken up forautomation depending on the budget allocation.The selected institutions will be provided funds forprocuring computer systems, relroconversion andnetworking. Application software for data entry andother library functions, library standards andformats, etc. will be provided by INFLIBNET to the

participating libraries. Manpower development isan important part of the programme. Trainingcourses lor core library staff engaged incomputerised library operations, are beingconducted since 1992-93.

First Phase

In the first phase which commenced in April1993, libraries of the following 11 universities havebeen identified lor automation:

1. Anna University, Madras

2. Ravishankar University, Raipur

3. University of Jammu, Jammu4. Gulbarga University, Gulbarga

5. Manipur University, Imphal

6. Jadavpur University, Calcutta7. Osmania University, Hyderabad

8. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

9. Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur

10. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

11. University of Bombay, Bombay

At the meeting of Vice-Chancellors ot theseuniversities held at New Delhi on April 2, 1993,the Chairman of UGC, Prof. G. Ram Reddyformally declared commencement of theprogramme.

Development of suitable software, standardsfor various library operations and communicationbased services viz., E-Mail, Bulletin Board, etc.,designing suitable network architecture andpreparation of union catalogues of serials, books,non-book materials, etc., and cooperation withother networking organisations like NISSAT,NICNET, etc. are other important activities. 19


TIFAC-CMC-DSIDC Centrefor Industry Information

As an excellent example of maximisingsynergistic advantages, TIFAC, CMC Ltd. andDelhi State Industrial Development Corporation(DSIDC) have joined hands lor a collaborativeventure in setting up the Centre lor industryInformation in New Delhi, The centre, planned as a'one-stop information shop', will cater to thetechnology and trade information needs of thepotential entrepreneurs and business planners.

Technology Information, Forecasting andAssessment Council (TIFAC), an autonomousorganisation under the aegis of the Department otScience and Technology (Government of India)has carried out a large number of specialisedstudies concerning technology status, techno-market surveys, technology assessment, etc. WhileTIFAC functions as the repository of knowledge-based information for the centre, this is backed bythe computerisation and system engineering skillsof CMC Ltd., the premier public sector enterprisein Information Technology. DSIDC provides theinfra structural support and more importantly, aneffective interface with industries in and aroundDelhi as the ready clientele for information.

As a precursor the inauguration of the centre,an Industry Meet was organised by the threecomponent organisations on August 7, 1993. Themeet was aimed at understanding and assessingthe specific information needs of the industry andintegrating them with the overall objectives of thecentre. The meet was addressed and attended byeminent personalities from the Government andindustry.

Mr. Omesh Saigal, chairman-DSIDC in hiswelcome address said that the centre, first of itskind in the country, would cater to the technologyand business information needs. He elaborated onthe collaborative approach of the three componentorganisations and their capabilities.

In his presidential address, Mr. Ashok20 Chandra, Secretary, Departmenl of Heavy

Industries opined that Indian industry would haveto resort to two strategic tools: information andtechnology, in order to sustain and substantiate itsbusiness especially in the context of recently

Shrf Omesh Salgal Chairman DSIDC lighting alamp to inaugurate the Centre for Industry

Information

liberalised economic regime. Mr. Chandra said thattechnological knowledge and a continuedendeavour to acquire the same would beinstrumental in reducing technology gaps betweenthe developed and developing economies. Hehoped that the proposed centre would help theindustries stand on their own feet and make theirpresence felt in the global market.

Mr. N. Vittal, OSD, Department of Tele-communications, in his special invited lecture on'Industry and Information' expressed happiness onthree organisations coming together on animportant project. He stressed the fact that thecentre should function as a 'single window' for allthe industrial information needs. And hoped that itwould go a long way in keeping the industrialistsabreast with the latest advances in various fields.Mr. Vithal emphasised on the need for replicatingsuch centres in other parts of the country.

The inaugural speech of Mr. P.K Dave, Lt.Governor, Delhi, in absentia was read out by


Mr. Omesh Saigal. Mr. Dave discussed theimportance and criticality of information towards aneffective business planning. He congratulatedDSIDC, CMC and TIFAC for taking such aninitiative and requested the industries tothemselves of the services of the centre for moredynamic, more efficient and more competentbusiness decisions.

Mr. S. Setty, Head, Technology ApplicationsGroup, CMC Ltd. introduced the project teammembers to the audience and thanked allconcerned for the inspiration and conceptualisationof the project and making it operational.

The technical session was chaired byDr. K.K.K. Kutty, CMD-CMC. The discussion panelincluded Mr. Y.S. Rajan, Executive Director,TIFAC, Mr. Saigal of DSIDC, Mr. Setty of CMCand Mr. Pravir Das of Cll. A detailed presentationon the activities and services of TIFAC, thenetworking and system concept of TIFACLINEalongwith the function of its data producers wasmade by Mr. Soumitra Biswas, Principal ScientificOfficer, TIFAC. Mr. Biswas also explained the tie-up between CMC-TIFAC and the European SpaceAgency (ESA) for offering the well acclaimedinternational databases in India.

The presentation was followed by aninteractive discussion with the industry personnelto assess their aspirations from the centre. Theirspecific needs on technology trend analysis,enviro-friendly technologies, international marketscenario, fiscal and industrial policies andincentives offered by various State Governments,global and local tender information, collaborationwith other leading technology change agents viz.,FITT of IIT Delhi, BCIL etc. were mentioned—these were to be included within the span ofactivities of the centre in a phased manner. Onassessing various information needs of theindustry, it has been planned to offer the followingservices from the centre:

i. The centre will act as the host-hub forTIFACLINE technology databases onComposites, Non Ferrous Materials, FoodProcessing, Energy and EnvironmentalTechnologies. Other databases beingdeveloped would be added in phases inthe future. TIFACLINE databases wouldserve the purpose of identitication of thepotential and emerging technologies forthe entrepreneurs and business planners.The supplementary databases on Stan-dards and Experts would also be available

at the centre.ii. The international databases viz.,

CHEMABS, COMPENDEX PLUS, INSPEC2, METADEX, FT PROFILE, PREDI-CASTS1 PRO MT, MARS and 200 othersas available from ESA-IRS would beaccessed online at the centre according tothe specific user queries. The centre wouldalso assign passwords to the users fordirect online access to ESA-IRS from theirpremises. The ESA-IRS databases wouldaddress queries on technology trends andadvances, technology sourcing and tie-uppossibilities, market analysis and marketintelligent services, etc.

ill. The centre would disseminate TIFAC'sspecialised reports and study findings ontechnology status and techno-marketsurveys etc. The reports present aconsiderable pre-investment knowledge-base for entrepreneurs and businessplanners.

iv. The user specific queries concerningtechnology, market and business opportu-nities would be serviced on chargeablebasis. There may be a need to conductmarket surveys or to prepare technologyprofiles/project reports as desired by theindustries; these would be undertaken bythe centre.

v. In order to live up to the expectations for'one-stop information shop' concept, thecentre should attempt to provide assistancein technology sourcesAie-ups and transfer.For a meaningful servicing of such queries,the centre would collaborate with theoverseas agencies and technologyvendors. Some preliminary contacts for theaforesaid purpose have been initiated.

vi. The centre would continuously scan theenvironment for any possible businessopportunities related to industry informationviz. tender database, etc. The centrewould also forge strong linkages with otherimportant technology players viz.Foundation for Innovation and TechnologyTransfer (FITT) of IIT Delhi, BiotechConsortium India Ltd. (BCIL) etc.

The Centre for Industry Information wasformally inaugurated on August 14, 1993 by 21Mr. Omesh Saigal, Chairman, DSIDC at a simplefunction. The centre has been located at thefollowing address: DSIDC, Bombay Life Building,N-36, Connaught Circus, New Delhi -110001


Upgrade NISSATInfrastructure to

Reinforce Efforts —Evaluation Committee

Report

'NISSAT is the only system which covers theentire spectrum of science and technology. It hasalso a variety of functions to perform rangingthorough creating awareness of the potential ofS&T information, establishing library networks,proceeding access to international databases,maintaining interaction with national andinternational organizations and training informationpersonnel.

The financial resources available to it,however, have not been commensurate with theexpectations from the system. Resources havebeen dwindling or at best, have remained static. Itis thus desirable that NtSSAT, efforts arereinforced by upgrading the unit and itsinfrastructure.'

This is the couelusion of the Review andAssessment Committee which has just completedits evaluation of the National Information Systemfor Science and Technology.

The five-member Committee headed by MajorGeneral A. Balasubramanian AVSM (Retd.), wasconstituted in August 1991 with the following termsof reference:

• To evaluate the activities of NtSSATcentres (sectoral, hard-data and accessfacilities to international data centres),programmes on computer applications andmanpower development and other NISSATactivities.

• To identity ways and means of improvingthe performance of the NISSAT centres

22 and of other NISSAT activities, and

• To suggest policy guidelines in theidentification and selection o!, and supportto, the various components of NISSAT.

The Committee held several meeting startingwith the initial briefing by the Joint Advisor,NISSAT Dr A. Lahiri, who gave an illustratedpresentation at the growth of various NISSATperformers. Members of the Review Committeevisited Sectoral Information and other centres inAhmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow,Madras, Mysore, New Delhi and Pune. Theyreviewd the working of all the projects and haddiscussions with the staff at various levels.

Findings and Suggestions

The main findings and suggestions of thecommittee are the following:

• Under utilisation of resources, productsand services

• Little interaction and coordination withUsers and no efforts made to assess theirviews about the services.

• Lack of coopearation with other units inorganisation and other information centres

• The promotional leaflets produced couldbe more attractive and aimed at specificgroup of users.

• In-house members comprise the largerproportion of users and the services arenot used on a national scale to anyappreciable extent

• Enlarge user clientele on national basis

• Equipment in some centres is under-utilised and the possibility of earningrevenue by taking on outside work has notbeen explored. Efforts to repair, serviceand put equipment to maximum use arenot adequate.

NISSAT NEWSLETTER NO 5 19S3

• Detailed statistics of use made of variousservices and the rate of sucess or failurein providing information are not beingmaintained.

• The viability of N1SSAT centres and theiraccess to users is low and this has to beremedied

• Synergistic relations between NISSATcentres and the host organisations are tobe established. Currently such relationsare purely ad hoc, based on individualpreferences.

• Local information units have not grown asmuch as they could in keeping withNISSAT objectives.

Recommendation

The committee notes that the most urgentneed is for creating awareness of S & Tinformation, vigorous marketing of informationproducts and services, education and training ofinformation personnel to meet the newerchallenges of users' demands more effectively.Activating the present information centres,establishing new ones to provide for nationalinformation needs and sustained interaction withhost organisations and database organisationswithin the country and with internationalorganisations abroad are also important. As amatter of priority, a national science informationpolicy should be evolved and the role and functionof the NNFP enlarged and suitably strengthened.

Some of the recommendation based on theserequirements are:

• City-based library networking programmeshould be extended and intensified.

• Research programmes in specific areas,such as user surveys, software

development and database creation,should be undertaken

• Newsletters and publication of moredirectories in specialised areas should beundertaken

• NISSAT programmes to be given widerpublicity through appropriate channels ofthe media.

• Promote vigorous marketing of informationproducts and services and liasion withindustry.

• Interaction with host organisations andthose producing databases within thecountry, and collaboration with inter-national organisations should be activelymaintained.

• A National Science Information Policyshould be evolved to strengthen the S&Tbase in the country.

In regard to NISSAT Newsletter, the quarterlypublication of the Unit, the Report says: TheNewsletter is most informative and its usefulnesscould perhaps be enhanced if the variousinformation centres could regularly contribute casestudies of feedback from users on the use made ofinformation and, more particularly give details ofcases where information searches were notsuccessful. This could provoke response andsuggestions from scientists and other readers andhelp to refine methodologies in the disseminationof information.

Development Perspectives

In a separate section under the above title, theReport marks out possible lines of development ofthe various NISSAT programmes.

23


A Multilingual ComputerAided Translating System

will Handle NineLanguages

Eurotra, a computer-aided translating system,will, in a tew years, make it possible to juggle withthe nine official languages of the EuropeanCommunity.

The corridors of the European Commissionand the European Parliament often sound like theTower of Babel. The civil servants and Members ofParliament most often express themselves in theirnational languages. In the century where efficiencyreigns, such a situation might appear totallyabsurd. But which language should be chosen forthe official means of communication? English?French? German? Esperanto?

The Governments presiding the EuropeanCommunity made up their minds on this issue along time ago. The answer is none. They haverefused the hegemony of any linguistic group andimposed the translation of all the official texts intonine languages (Danish, Dutch, English, French,German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish).This amounts to 72 pairs of languages.

Hosts of multilingual translators are thus incharge of carrying out this task which keeps ongrowing bigger and bigger as the Community'sareas of competence extend. Moreover, thisactivity is becoming increasingly specialised. Thevocabulary of aeronautics, for instance, containsno fewer than 200,000 terms. No human translatoris able to retain them all, even in his mothertongue. So help has to be obtained fromcomputers which alone can quickly process such astock of words.

In the hope of speeding up the translationprocess and reducing the enormous costs it incurs,

24 the Community has, since 1982, financed anambitions computer-aided translation programme,Eurotra. This system, which is to becomeoperational in 1995, has already cost more than anequivalent of Rs. 160 crores. For 9 years, it has

mobilised some 150 researchers in linguistics anddata-processing.

Their work has resulted in the development ofa prototype containing 20,000 lexical entries(including, for example, 15,000 technical termsfrom the field of telecommunications). In thecoming years, this research should enableindustrialists to put particularly efficient translatingsoftware on the market.

In a Few Seconds

Computer programmes already exist but theyare usually not very efficient and work in pairs oflanguages. For instance, they contain an English-to-Russian module which also requires its Russian-to-English counterpart. However, if one wishes toadd another language to this pair, new linguisticcombinations need to be created: English toFrench, French to English, Russian to French,French to Russian, etc. The quality of theseproducts, which is already mediocre, thenbecomes simply catastrophic and demands a lot ofknow-how and patience on the part of the user.

Rather than producing 72 different dictionariesand grammars (which is enormous), Eurotra usesa kind of artificial and simplified pivot languagewhich links all the languages together. For theuser, this process resembles all the othercomputer programmes. You enter a text into yourcomputer, in English for instance, and then ask forits equivalent in French. The answer is received ina few seconds, the time needed by the machine tocarry cut discreet but splendid work.

First of all, the system analyses your prose,breaks it down into sentences and then sorts outthe words according to their nature (noun,adjective, pronoun, etc.) and function (subject, verb,object, etc.). It is even able to distinguish differentmeanings of the same word depending on the


context in order to avoid any ambiguities. Forinstance "to start" followed by a noun or a verbalexpression would mean "to commence" andwithout a direct object would mean "to makea sudden movement in surprise or shock", thelatter necessarily being intransitive.

It then represents the grammatical structure ofeach sentence in a simplified abstract way, usingidentical rules whatever be the language inconsideration. Thus every sentence appears inthe active voice. The sentence: "the propsal isadopted by the council" becomes "the counciladopts the proposal". From the schematic formobtained, the system makes a first translation(which does not appear onv the screen) without anydifficulty.

Finally, in the last stage, Eurotra moves onto

the definitive sentence in the language, using therules of syntax of that language alone. Sentenceswhich appear in the passive in English can thusend up being written in the active in French,following the most elementary rules of currenttranslation.

In addition to its efficiency, this original systemalso has a tremendous asset. It can easily beenlarged. The addition of a further language onlyrequires the development of two new modules(instead of 18 or more in traditional computerprogrammes). One of them translates thesentences into simplified language and the otheroperates the opposite process. The linguisticproblems that may arise due to the likelyadmittance of new countries in the Community,should be greatly reduced by this system(CEDUST).

CISMOD 93: Programme Details

Further to the announcement in NISSAT Newsletter Jan-March 1993) regarding the convening of theSecond International Conference on Information Systems and Management of Data at New Delhi during6-8 October 1993, we present here same programme details for the benefit of the prospective participants.

Tutorials: 6 Oct. 1993

Conference: 7-8 Oct. 1993

Hosts: Society for Information Science and Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre, New Delhi

The topics for four helf-day tutorials are:

1. Advanced Conceptual Modelling

2. The TEMPORA Systems Development Method

3. Discourse on Query Languages

4. Transmission Management in High Performance Database Management Systems

The conference Venue is Hotel Maurya Sheraton, New Delhi while the Conference Secretariat is located atINSDOC, 14 Satsang Vihar Marg, New Delhi 110067 which may be contacted for further details.

25


ASTINFO/INDIA, New Delhi: Ninth ConsultativeCommittee Meeting

UNESCO's information programmes in Asia and the Pacific are being coordinated under a programmecalled ASTINFO {Regional Network for the exchange of information and experiences in Asia and thePacific). The 19 participating countries are: Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan,Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mangolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, SriLanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

The plan of action of ASTINFO is generally discussed in the Consultative Committee (CC) meetings.So far CC meetings have been held in China (1983), Indonesia (1984), Australia (1985), Sri Lanka (1986),Thailand (1987), the Philippines (1990) and Japan (1991). India is to host the 9th UNESCO/ASTINFOConsultative Committee meet in 1993.

The CC meetings are generally proceeded by a short seminar on a topic of current interest. The topicof the Regional Seminar prefixed to the 9th ASTINFO Consultative Committee is Design and Developmentof Library Network in Developing Countries. While the CC meetings are attended only by countryrepresentatives, the seminar is generally attended by few more invited foreign and national participants.

The event will be held from sept. 25 to Oct. 1 ,1993 at Hotel Raj Hans, Suraj Kund, about 20 km. southof New Delhi.

The cost of periodicals in science and technology is increasing at an alarming rate. At the same timethere has been proliferation of demand for new book materials and periodicals. Given an almost stagnatedbudgetary resource position with the libraries, the only major option available is to promote a resourcesharing mechanism among libraries. Based on the principle of collective reliance, several library networksare currently under .implementation in India such as those in Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay and Pune. In thislight, the ASTINFO meeting is very timely. It is expected that Indian professionals will get an opportunity tolearn from networking activities in neighbouring countries with significant fall out impact.

NISSAT-UPLA Training Course on CDS/ISISDates : November 30, 1993 - December 10, 1993

Venue : Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow

Contact Address : Shri S. N. AgarwalGeneral Secretary, UP Library Association,C/o Industrial Toxicology Research Centre,Post Box No. 80,Lucknow-226 001.

26 Fifteen to twenty participants will be selected for the training course. Last date for submission ofapplication form is November 1, 1993.


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Printers * Stationers * Govt. Order Supplier

10402/3,1-E, Bagichi All-u-din, Gali No. 13Pahar Ganj, New Delhi -110 055

Phone : 7510722, 520311

Government of IndiaDepartment of Scientific & Industrial Research

Ministry of Science & TechnologyTechnology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road

New Delhi-110 016The Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) bus anumber of programmes for the promotion, development, utilisationand transfer of technology, oriented towards attai mnenl of excel I aitcein technology. One of meareas of wort has been undertaking studieson important subjects. These cover status of technology, identifics-lion of technology gaps, technology sources, market potential, con-i ultancy capa bi li ties, project proG ks, etc. More than ZOOsuch reportscovering a very large sector of industry ire available.

TECHNOLOGY STATUS STUDIES Rs. 4001- each

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CHEMICALS AND ALLIED : Caustic Soda • DRUGS, PHAR.MACEUTICALS AND ALLIED :Drug Formulations • IN-DUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND MACHINE TOOLS : Boilers• Fire Fighting Equipments/Systerns • Flour Milling • Pump • RiceMilling • INSTRUMENTS, DEVICES AND MEDICAL EQPT;Medical Eleclronics Equipments/Systems • LIGHT MECHANI-CAL : Forged & Portable Tool • METALLURGY/ METALLUR-GICAL EQPT: Aluminium -Ferrous Foundry'Industrial Furnaces(Heating-Heal Treatment) * Industrial Furnaces (Melting) " MiniSled Plants • Non Ferrous Castings " Steel • Steel Forgings •PLASTICS, RESINS & RUBBER : Plastics Processing -MIS-CELLANEOUS : Ceramics • Packaging.-

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News and EventsAccost to International Patent* on CD-ROM

Industrialists all over the world could henceforth haveaccess to all international patents thanks to the use of a singlesoftware.

This decision, announced in a statement put out by theEuropean Office fof Patents (OEB-Office European desBrevets), whose headquarters are at Vienna, Austria, is thefruit of a three-way cooperation between the European,American and Japanese offices. This single operation systemfor the consultation of data banks on catalogued patents willbe provided by the French company Jouve Systemsd'lNformation.

However,'before the contract is concluded, OEB still hasto obtain the approval of this body's admin is frative boardwhich meets before the end of this year. Thanks to thisagreement, more than 80% of the patents registered everyyear in the world can be easily accessed.

This unification of the operating system corresponds to a5-year plan. A choice that is considered strategic by the Jouvecompany which also stressed the leading role played by OEBfor several years, with its policy of technological evolution.

The 'mixed mode' which will be used is a relatively newmethod. It has the advantage of associating images to texuoldata. The preceding system, developed since 1988. after along timo during which text and image were recordedseparately, was based on a fax method. It memorised, indigital form, full pages of a data (text and illustrations) andonly offered limited possibilities, by association to a data basecontaining key words and synopses.

With the 'mixed mode' illustrations are correctlyassociated with the text, which makes reading of thedocuments easier. Among the advantages also of compactdiscs, is that of rapid access to information. This is moreeconomical since it avoids the acquisition of voluminouspublications — CEDUST.

Computer Backup for Prlcele** Document*

Museums and libraries do their best to preserve rare andprecious works, but accidents do happen. Fires and othernatural disasters can destroy rare and irreplaceable artefacts,rendering them inaccessible to Future generations. But now, inthe USA, California Polytechnic Institute's Multi MediaResearch Project has teamed up with high-tech companies tosoften the blow of losing unique historical records.

The Phoenix Project aims to convert rare and historicaldocuments into digital code for permanent storage onCD-ROMs. This provides a record that is more robust thanphotocopies or microfiche, and that will allow researchersmuch more flexibility.

Digitized paintings or photographs, for example, could be

electronically retouched to show how they might have lookedoriginally, and then sent to researchers via a computer net-work. — Business week, January 1993.

Unconventional Text Retrieval System*

An article in a recent issue of Online and CDROMreview looks at some of the more unconventional text retrievalsystems. These sophisticated systems improve onconventional retrieval by using either innovative software orhardware to increase retrieval speed or functionality, precisionor recall. — Online and CDROM Vol. 17, No. 1.

Copubll»hlng and Marketing of S&T Book* andJournal*—P1D and WEL AgrMmanl

The Publications & Information Directorate (PID), NewDelhi, has entered into an agreement with the Wiley EasternLtd. (WEL) New Delhi, (or copublishing, marketing andtranslation of S&T books and journals. A memorandum ofunderstanding to this effect was signed by Dr G.P. Phondke,Director, PID and Shri A. Machwe, Managing Director WEL,at a function held on 7 June 1993 at PID. Dr S.K. Joshi,Director General, CSIR, was the Chief Guest on this occasion.He also inaugurated the new conference hall of PID. Thefunction was attended by Dr E.S.R. Gopal, Director, NPL:Dr Ashok Jain, Director NISTADS and staff members of PID.

This link-up between PID and WEL will have asynergisfic effect — on one hand it will benefit the twoorganizations in financial terms and on the other, it will lead tothe availability of a larger number of quality publications to theusers, at an affordable price.

Expressing his happiness over the agreement betweenPID and WEL for copublication, marketing and translation otS&T literature, Dr Joshi said that with the continued effortsof the two organizations we should be able to exploit themarket of Asia, Africa and Latin America. "This is an importantand unique step and I must congratulate Dr Phondke and allof you who have made it possible. This is just the beginningof exploring the strength that lies in PID as well as CSIR"."Whatever help is needed in this venture will be provided",he assured.

Energy and Environment Information System (EEIS)

This new system of UNIDO's Information andTechnological Bank (INTIB) offers a number of key services tosmall businesses and industries with limited communicationand data handling capabilities. The services include rapidprovision of relevant up-to-date information and its costeffective delivery to industry. Crucial to the success of EEIS isthe designation in each country of a key institution as a 27primary contact point for building up a national industrialinformation network. Hungary is the first country to join EEISunder a memorandum of understanding signed on 15 March1993 at Budapest. The memorandum covers an initial twoyear pilot phase.


Requirement of Computer*

The estimated requirement of computers in India duringthe 8th Five Year Plan is as follows:

Computer! Not.

Super Computers

Large Computers

Mini Computers

Micro Computers

24

750

9300

1635000

The computers being manufactured in the public andprivate sectors in the country range from micro computers,graphic workstations, mini computers and large computersystems.

The types of computers being imported include processcontrollers high-end graphic workstations, large computerservers, file servers and mini super systems for R&D and otherspecialised applications. These are mainly imported from USA,UK, Ne.ierlands, France, Hong Kong, Germany, etc. Thescript of these computers is English. However, for PC rangeof systems indigenously developed hardware and softwaresolutions are currently available for all Indian languages.

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing(CDAC), an autonomous society under the Department ofElectronics, is engaged in the development of ParallelProcessing computers with the capability of super computersin the country.

Indian Language* for Computer*

Both hardware and software solutions are currentlyavailable'for using Indian languages in their respective scriptson computers. Hardware solution is through the GraphicsBased Intelligent Script Technology (GIST) add-on card. Anumber of software solutions from various manufacturers arealso available.

Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) and the Department ofElectronics (DoE) have evolved standard keyboard layout andcodes for Indian scripts. Data entry is facilitated by using thiskeyboard with stickers in respective languages.

— Based on the reply given by Stiri P. R.Kumaramangalam, Minister of State forScience & Technology in response W a

question in the Lok Sabna on 7 April 1993.

On-lln* Information for ChwntcaJ Industry—NICHEM Work Shop

28 On 19 April 1993 the National Information Centre forChemicals (NICHEM) organized a one-day workshop to createawareness in the chemical industry on the variety ofinformation—scientific and commercial—that can be accessedfrom India. There were about 20 participants from variouschemical industries.

Dr S. Krishnan (Scientific Management and InformationServices, NICHEM} set the tone by giving an overview of thekinds of information available on the data bases from variousvendors, how to set up communication for searching and costconsiderations. This was followed by Mr. Deodhar with asession on searching chemical information on CA andREGISTRY files. Mr. N.V. Satyanarayana took up thebusiness session and discussed the use DIALOG databaseswith a case study of 'Preparing market survey for Terephthalicacid'. Mr. Hirwani explained the use of some of the importantfiles lika Chemical Economic Handbook, AgrochemicalHandbook, Chemical Industry News etc. to get lechno-economic information. In the concluding lecture. Dr. Krishnandiscussed the importance of files like USDS, HSHB, TOXLINEto prepare material safety data sheets, and for looking upinformation on hazards and safety data. This was followed bya brief presentation of property data bases available on STN(MPD and CPD network, Beilstein etc.)

In the afternoon, the workshop went on-line and carriedout some sample searches. DIALOG and STN made availablefree time for searches by courtesy of Mrs. Raghini Suresh,Librarian Kent State University, Kent, USA.

World Telecommunlealion Standardization Conference(WTSC): Advisory Group Set Up

The conference which concluded recently in Helsinki,Finland and was attended by 68 countries and eightinternational organizations set up a TelecommunicationStandardization Advisory Group (TSAG pronounced Tea Sag).The Group's role will be to review priorities and strategies foractivities of the Telecom Sector, to review progress in theimplementation of its work programme and to recommendmeasures to foster cooperation and coordination with otherstandards bodies and organizations.

The conference saw the official launch of ITUDOC — theorganization's electronic document exchange service, whichincludes not only administrative and general informationdocuments, but also the full texts of ITU telecommunicationstandards approved since 1988. It also announced theavailability of all ITU telecommunication standards onCD-ROM.

Potential Health Risk from Computer*

A U.S. national research organization has recommendedthat most computer monitors be tasted for extremely lowfrequency (ELF) radiation, following studies .that suggest theemissions may pose a health risk.

Marc Schechtman, Director of education programs at theNational Foundation for Cancer Research, said in April thisyear that several studies have indicated a correlation betweenthe type of radiation emitted by computer video displayscreens and haalth risks such as cancer. At the same time,he said, other studies have shown no correlation or even anegative correlation.

Schechtman said that since there is an on-going debateover the potential health effects of ELF radiation, hisorganization is recommending a policy of "prudent avoidance,"which means taking steps to control risks but at a modestcost


The National Foundation, a non-profit organization thairaises public funds for basic cancer research, suggests thatcomputer monitors be tested to determine it, at a distance of30 centimetres from the screen, they emit two milligauss ofELF radiation or more. An inexpensive hand-held gauss metercan be used to make the measurement.

ELF emissions are a form of electromagnetic radiation,and a milligauss is a unit of strength ol the magnetic field.

Schechtman said that many researchers and officialshave adopted a guideline that says a radiation level of twomilligauss and below seems to be safe. The distance of 30centimeters or more is recommended because ELF radiationdrops off quickly as one moves away from the computerscreen.

The Foundation also recommends that computer screenswith high emission levels be shielded by placing a small metalcanister around the so-called deflection coil that is acomponent of all computer monitors. The deflection coil, whichemits the ELF radiation, is used to direct the vertical andhorizontal lines that appear on the computer screen.

Schechtman said that the metal canister, which fitsaround the coil to contain the ELF radiation, currently costsabout $300, but added that the price is expected to dropsharply as use of the canisters increases.

Schechtman said that while research has shown thatlong-term exposure to higher levels of electro-magneticenergy, such as X-rays, can break molecular bonds and leadto cancer, no such effects have yet been dearly demonstratedfrom exposure to extremely low frequency radiation. ELFradiation is emitted by computer monitors as well as manyhousehold appliances such as toasters, vacuum cleaners andclothes dryers, — Science Update June-July 1993

UNIDO and Economist Intelligence Unit to Co publishIndustrial R»vl*w Serle*

UNIDO and the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), aleading provider of global business information, have joinedforces to help international decision makers in industry,finance, trade, aid and government identify the most promisingareas for industrial growth, trade and investment opportunitiesin developing countries.

In June, UNIDO and E1U launched a new co-publishingarrangement for the Industrial Development Review series,which previously had been co-published with Basil Blackwellof Oxford. Each Review focuses on the "central industryissues" for a specific developing country, beginning withIndonesia. Three further reports will be published this yearcovering, Egypt. India and Mexico.

Each report in the series provides an exclusive analysisof manufacturing sub-sectors and the industrial operatingenvironment, giving detailed information on industrialpolicy, structure and performance, and the investmentenvironment.

The UNIDO Deputy Director-General for Programme andProject Development, Wemer Behrens, said: 'This jointpublication venture with EIU is a landmark in theOrganization's increasing interaction with the private sector.The sales network ol EIU will undoubtedly facilitate a widerdissemination of information and analysis contained in theIndustrial Development Review series, which is primarilyintended to foster industrialization by keeping the internationalbusiness community abreast of the changing pattern ofindustrialization and the emerging industrial investmentopportunities in the countries concerned."

AGRIS in CDROM

The AGRIS database is being produced in CDROMdiscs. The records from 1975-Oct 1991 are available on a setof five CDROM discs. The Silver Platter Information Co., UKis undertaking this project.

The cost of AGRIS data base in CDROM discs:

a) annual subscription to current discs = $750.00

b) archival disc set (1975-1990) $1250.00

c) 50% discount allowed on orders received fromdeveloping countries.

Contact address for subscription of AGRIS

M/s. Silver Platter Information Co.10, Barley Mow PassageChiswickLondon W4 4PH (U.K)

Online access:

The AGRIS data base continues to be available onthe IAEA computer and accessible by following onlinevendors

a} direct dial up, telex, public packet switching networks(e.g. TYMNET)

b) through ESA/IRS in Frascati

c) on DIMDI, Cologne, Federal Republic ol Germany

d) on DIALOG, USA (i.e. data base with non USportion).

Since the production of AGRIS data base in CDROMdiscs, many individual institutions subscribe the CDROM discsfor search and retrieval within the library.

AGRIS is also available on-line on the VAX-NICNETconnection Irom the Bioinlormatics Centre, IARI,New Delhi.

29


BlolnformaUcs centres having CDROM discs

Data Institution Pwtod

AGRIS

AGRIS

AGRICOLA

Jawaharial Nehru Univ.New Delhi

MKU,Madurai

Indian Veterinary

1986-91

1975-91

1964-91

AGRIS

AGRIS

Research Inst. Izatnagar

Tamilnadu VeterinaryUniv. Madras

1991-92

Tamilnadu Agricultural 1975-91University, Coimbatore.

Industrial Directory of Gujaral

The Techno Economic and Marketing Group (TEAM) ofGujarat has just come out with the second edition of itsIndustrial Directory. This is a useful reference work whichcontains information on

— Govt. of India's New Industrial Policy 1991

— Incentives available to new industries, expansions,diversifications

— GRs on latest Central and State GovernmentPolicies on

— Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme,

— Sales Tax Incentive to Industries,

— Deferment,

— Incentives to 100% EOU, Electronics Industries,Pioneer Units, Prestigious Units, Sick Units,

— Rehabilitation of Small Scale & Non-BIFR Sick Units.

— Employment Scheme, etc.

It also contains addresses of major State 8. CentralFinancial Institutions and International Economic Organisationssuch as

— Export Promotion Council (EPC) & RegisteringAuthorities,

— Exchange Control Department of Reserve Bank ofIndia,

30 — Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI),

— Industrial Credit 5 Investment Corporation of IndiaLimited (ICICI),

— Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI),

— Specialised Financial Institutions,

— State Small / Industrial Development Corporation /Stats Industrial Investment Corporation (IDC's /NC's),

— State Financial Corporation (SFC's),

— Government Technical Consultancy Organisations,

— International Organisations offering assistance toDeveloping Countries,

— Institute of Management Consultancy of India (IMCI)

For financial and other assistance.

In addition to the above, it also contains Index ofManufacturers

— Industry-wise

— Product-wise

— Alphabetically arranged Industrial Units,

This directory can be used in day-to-day bulk purchases,sales, market research/surveys, project planning, appraisal orfinancial options.

—Vimal Kumar Varun.

Machine Tool and Production Engineering Thesaurus

A thesaurus is the most essential tool for effectiveindexing and retrieval ol information. If information is to becomputerised for quick and effective handling of voluminousdata, the use of thesaurus becomes a must. The thesaurusindicates the relationship, cross references and use of varioustechnical terms listed like Broader Term (BT). Narrower Term(NT), Related Term (RT), USE and Used for (UF) references,Scope Notes (SN) etc. All the terms in the thesaurus arearranged alphabetically.

This Thesaurus serves as a ready reference tool In thefield of machine tools and production engineering forindustries, researchers, practising engineers, technicalinstitutions, information centres, libraries, students ofengineering and others for indexing or arranging theircollected information as well as in formulating technicalenquiries to various data banks.

The coverage Includes the following:

— Metal Cutting, Metal forming, Machine Tools, Tools& Tooling, Metal Finishing, Metrology, Trioology,Foundry. Welding , Plastics and Allied Relds.

The 84-page A4 size publication, priced at Rs. 150/-{including postage) Is available from NICMAP, CentralMachine Tool Institute, Turnkur Road, Bangalore 560 022.

BOSLA Exhibition Cum-Demonstration of Library Software

Bombay Science Librarians Association {BOSLA) incollaboration with K,J. Somaiya College of Engineering,


organised an Exhibition-Gum-Demonstration or LibrarySoftware, on 7 June 1993 at K.J. Somaiya College otEngineering, Bombay.

The purpose behind this exhibition was to accelerate thepace of computerisation of libraries in the city of Bombay witha view to helping them to come to a networking stage andfacilitate sharing of library resources in order to beat the risingcost of books and periodicals. Through this exhibition, BOSLAtried to offer an opportunity for librarians, computerconsultants and decision makers, who are thinking of going infor computerisation, to get a fair idea about the availability ofvarious software along with their respective versatilities.BOSLA's role was that of a catalyst bringing library authoritiesand software owners together.

Ten software owners including two barcoding companiesparticipated in the exhibition.

The exhibition was well attended and nearly 500 personsincluding librarians, decision makers and computer consultantsvisited the exhibition.

BOSLA arranged this exhibition as a part of Dr. S.R.Ranganathan's Birth Centenary Celebrations.

CD-NET Workstation

The Library of the All India Institute of Medical Scienceshas recently installed a CD-NET Workstation (or providingdatabase search facility through CD-ROM. With the installationof this unit, ten users at a time can search the required data.The databases available in the Library are MEDLINE,POPLINE and ONCODISC. The Library is amongst the fewpioneers in the country to provide such a service through CD-NET. This facility is available for the members on workingdays. The Library has two independent units ol CD-ROMdrives also.

Conferences in Agriculture and Allied Sciences — 1CARDirectory

The current issue of the Directory covers eventsscheduled between July and December 1993 and lists 260entries.

The Directory was first published in 1988 and wasbrought out annually until 1990 when it was made half-yearlyand the work was taken over by the Agricultural ResearchInformation Centre on a regular basis Intending Conferenceparticipants would indeed find the publication a valuablesource of information (or ready reference.

Bamboo Information Centre

Bamboo Information Centre-India (BIG-India) has beenestablished with the support ol the International DevelopmentResearch Centre (IDRC), Canada with the prime objective ofcollecting, organising and disseminating information on tropicalbamboo from South East Asia. The Bamboo InformationCentre-China (BIC-China) based at Beijing deals withtemperate bamboo.

To disseminate information on bamboo the Centre is

Exhlbllion-Cum-Demonstration of Library Softwareorganized by BOSLA and K.J. Somaiya College of

Engineering

publishing a hail-yearly B 1C-India Bulletin and occassionalInformation Bulletins. BIC-lndia Bulletin contains originalresearch articles, abstracts of literature, directory of scientistsworking on bamboo and directory of ongoing bamboo projects.Information Bulletins are publications on specific practicalaspects of bamboos.

The large quantum of information produced has to bewidely disseminated for furtherance of research, productivityand utilization of bamboo. Now scientists have to look forinformation on bamboo in various botany and forestry journals.The Centre has, therefore, decided to include research articlesin the BIC-lndia Bulletin, it is proposed to develop the Bulletininto a full-fledged scientific journal devoted exclusively tobamboo so that the scientific community engaged in bambooresearch all over the world has a medium for exchange ofinformation.

COPSAT: INFUBNET— NCSI Information Service

The COPSAT service is provided by NCSI, Bangalore tothe universities through INFLIBNET. This is a monthly serviceby which each participating university can obtain the contentpages of latest issues of any 25 journals. The university canchoose from nearly 3,000 top ranking journals covering thesubjects ol Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, ChemicalSciences, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Technology andApplied Sciences. For around 60% of the journals covered inCOPSAT service, abstracts are also available.

An annual subscription of Rs. 3.30CV- is to be paidtowards the running costs of the service by the participatinguniversity.

For more details and the COPSAT (orm write to:O.P. Arora, INFLIBNET Programme, Near Gujarat UniversityGuest House, Post Box No. 4116, Navrangpura,Ahmedabad - 380" 009,

Ranganathan Birth Centenary Celebrations Conclude

The year-long celebrations organized by the Centenary


Committee concluded on 9 Aug. 1993. The function at Y.B.Chavan Centre. Bombay was attended by luminaries and highdignitaries like Shri Nani Palkhiwala Dr S.D. Kamik, ViceChancellor Bombay University and Shri Prabhakar Dharkar.Minister for Higher and Technical education. Government ofMaharashtra.

Several seminars and discussions on librarians hip markedthe year long celebrations. These included seminars onTrends in librarianship in the U.K., Reading habits, anExhibition on library software which was inaugurated by DrS. Ramani, Director NCST and several other events.

IASUC National Conference

BIT, Mesra, Ranchi will be the venue of the XIX I AS LI CNational Conference to be held during 26-29 December, 1993.

The themes of !he conference are:

I Collection Development in the context of EconomicRecession.

II Organization of information lw Industry.

HI Special interest Group Meetings,

i) Computer application in LIS

ii) Public administration terms in Incfianlanguages.

iii Publishing trends and development inhumanities subjects in Indian languages in the20th century

iv) Information for Entrepreneurs

v) Research and Development in Informatricsduring the year.

Both invited and contributed papers will be considered.Synopsis giving scope of the proposed paper (in duplicatemust reach IASLIC soonest possible followed by full paper(not exceeding 2000 words) by 15 September, 1993.

For further information please contact Mr. U.N. Singh,Organizing Secretary, IASLIC, P-291 CIT Scheme 6M,Kankurgachi, Calcutta 700054.

Medical Library Association: National Convention andWorkshop

The National Convention and workshop of MedicalLibrary Association of India will be held in New Delhi duringthe third week of October 1993. The themes of theConvention are:

1. Modern Technology and Health Science Libraries

2. Status of Health Science Libraries in India

There will be a workshop on CDROM Technology alongwith the convention.

Correspondence regarding convention and workshop maybe addressed to Dr R.P. Kumar. Secretary, Medical LibraryAssociation of India, K-43 Kailash Colony, New Delhi 110 048.

MAIT: New Office Bearers

At their Annual General Meeting held on July 23, 1993,the Manufacturers' Association for Information Technologyelected Mr Ashok Soota (Wipro Infotech Ltd.) as President,and Mr K.R. Palta (Larsen and Toubro Ltd.) as VicePresident.

Database Production and Distribution : Resources,Technology and Management INFOTEX '93 Bangalore

This international conference, promoted by the Society forInformation Science New Delhi, is designed to focus on therole that countries like India can play in the global alliance ofinformation industry and profession.

The theme ol the conference to be held during 28November-1 December 1993 comprises the inputs required todesign develop, produce and distribute databases which arethe prime source of information industry. Papers on any of thefollowing areas are invited:

• Intellectual base for database production

• Production technology for database industry

• Full text databases

• Retrieval engines

• On-line emerging trends and challenges

• CD-ROM and Multi-Media

• Impact of new media and technologies on publishingand global dissemination or distribution ofinformation resources

• Marketing opportunities in the developing world

The last date for submission of completed papers is15 sept. 1993.

The delegate fee (Rs. 2.500/-) is to be remitted to theConference Director, INFOTEX'93 C/o Informatics (India) PvtLtd. P O Box. 360, Bangalore-560 003.

32

NiSSAT NEWSLETTER NO. 3. 1993

|)n«c a tote niitl) IIPIINAARM. Hyderabad

Mr. P.N. SarkarSenior Scientific OfficerNISSAT/DSIRTechnology BhawanNew Mehrauli RoadNEW DLEHI - 11O 016

0R

Mr. R. B. GaddagimathLibrarian & HeadInformation & Doc. UnitNAARMRajendranagarHYDERABAD - 500 030

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