Babinat and the development of microcomputer-based national documentation networks in the less developed countries

摘要

The application of microcomputers in support of national information systems is rapidly spreading in most of the Less Developed Countries (LDCs). The advantages and limitations of the technology in these countries are discussed. Hardware and software compatibility are not as important a requirement in this context as the availability of an adapted reference format, which the present standard formats do not properly meet. The application should take into account the specific constraints of national information systems in LDCs, including the need to minimize the repetitive recording of the same data elements and to secure full compatibility with international information systems. BABINAT has been designed toward this end by a consortium of French organizations which currently support the development of information systems in the LDCs. Its rationale, characteristic features and development are presented.