CDROM in developing countries: is it a technology for the distribution of information? Available to Purchase

The distribution of information using CDROM technology in developing countries would be regarded as playing a very important role in disseminating information in areas with underdeveloped telecommunication networks. Indeed, through the use of CDROM, numerous institutions in countries such as Malawi have had access to bibliographic and sometimes textual and statistical information from large international databases in the fields of agriculture, education, social sciences, medicine and many others. This, however, is largely an information distribution mechanism for information that is predominantly generated in an environment that is different from that of the developing countries. The result of such a situation is that the information that the developing countries are getting through this type of medium has very low relevance to the needs of these countries, so may not be ideal for solving the needs that these countries face. This situation can change and this paper attempts to present possible remedies.