Message-ID: <Pine.3.88.9604052030.A22753-0100000@go> Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 21:10:03 -0600 From: Abubakr Alkhalifa <mailto:aalkhali@CIS.USOUTHAL.EDU> Subject: Re: Appropriate Software Proposal To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Dear John,On Thu, 4 Apr 1996, John S. Quarterman wrote:
> >To avoid duplication of efforts, it is feasible to develop one set of
> >generically designed information systems for all developing countries with
> >this goal in mind. Individual regions/countries can then customize
> >these information systems to accommodate local languages, region/country
> >specific data, and other geographical and cultural variations.
>
> Sure sounds like OSI to me. Centralized top-down design for all relevant
> countries, later national customization, etc.
If some info. systems need to be developed from scratch for each country, then let's go ahead and do that. What I want to arrive at is that we need to incorporate I. T. in solving developmental problems. Whether it is a bottom-up / top-down /side-ways or a mixed approach comes as a second step.
Now, let me give you this example:
Let's concentrate here on the analysis, design, and implementation issues of an example of a medical information system for Tropical Diseases, not the justification for it.
The analysis and design for this info. sys. is exactly the same for Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, etc... Same diseases, same symptoms, same treatment. Therefore, if we assume the usefullness of this system, individual countries do not have to analyze and design their systems seperately. One analysis, one design, one code will work as good for all of them.
But having in mind that the sources of e.g., vitamine B12, which is required for the treatment of disease X, are different in each of these countries, and having in mind that e.g., nurses, do not talk English, and we want them to use these info. sys., then every country will customize the same info. sys. to acommodate e.g., local sources of Vitamine B12, and user interface in local languages.
> It may become clearer to you if you read the references I cited.
Could you please give me more info about the book? My goal here is to introduce the concept and get professionals interested in it so it may succeed.
> If you still don't agree, you don't agree. Nothing stops you or anyone
> else from trying the path you outline. I merely question whether it
> will lead you where you think it will.
This is the last thing I intend to do. Remember that I started this thread by opposing the Internet and now I am supporting it. My ultimate goal is to see the latest achievment of mankind (I. T.) utilized in solving the worest misery of the same mankind (poverty).
Abu _________________________________________________________________________
Abubakr Alkhalifa "I.T. vs. Poverty" 612 Montclaire Way Graduate Student Mobile, AL 36609 School of Computer & Information Sciences USA University of South Alabama Tel/Fax: (334)660-0242 mailto:aalkhali@cis.usouthal.edu _________________________________________________________________________