Challenges to Comprehension Implied by the Logo of Laetus in Praesens
Laetus in Praesens
28th November 1988

International Organization Information / Research: 1988

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Prepared for Union of International Associations (General Assembly, 28th November 1988)
See also searchable PDF version (original titles, sub-headings, order and typography); also reports 1959-2006
Document also in segmented format in the Kairos indexed database

Organization profiles / networks

Yearbook of International Organizations: Series composed of the following 3 volumes.

Organization descriptions and index (Volume 1): This volume was successfully completed on schedule for publication In June 1988. This was the third time that the publication was produced through the UIA's own computer system, making no use of the external service bureau on which the UIA was previously dependent for 14 years. A number of innovations or improvements were made, partly to facilitate the integration at the computer level which the computer system makes possible:

(a) The number of organizations (and treaties) has been increased from 27, 145 for 1987 to 28,942, (an increase of over 6%). The number of organizations from Sections A through D increased from 4,546 to 4,827 (6%); Sections E through U also increased by just over 6%.

In preparing the 1987 /88 edition, a more ruthless approach was taken to organizations on which no new information has been recently obtained. Such bodies, because their addresses are "inactive" or out-of-date, bring the whole Yearbook into disrepute. Even if no confirmation of the inactivity of these bodies was obtained, they were transferred into the inactive section (Section H). This had as effect the significant reduction of the number of bodies in Section D, and created space for the inclusion of Section R, which had to be omitted from the previous edition.

There would appear to be a tendency for the number of "classical" organizations to stabilize (taking into account creations and cessations of activity), with the major increases observable in the Sections E, F and G.

(b) Entry quality: The quality of the entries on the existing organizations continues to be improved to the point where a significant number of organizations now take the trouble to congratulate the editors. It is, however, becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the balance between providing adequate information on an organization and the space constraints imposed by the printing and binding of the volume.

(c) Keywords in text: Work continues on identifying keywords in the text of entries which are extracted into the index and which are also used to identify organizations grouped by subject in Volume 3.

(d) Section modifications: The continuing problem of the limitation on the number of pages to 1600, supposedly because of difficulty in binding connected with the printing method used, has meant that the following sections were not printed in the 1987/88 Volume 1, although they were indexed:

G: Internationally-oriented national organizations (last included in 1984)
H: Inactive organizations (last included in 1984)
J: Unconfirmed new organizations
R: Religious orders, secular institutes (last included In 1987)
S: Conference series
T: Multilateral treaties (last included in 1983)
U: Unconfirmed organizations from the past

The name and address of bodies in Sections G and R are however available from Volume 2, and from
Volume3. In the continuing difficulty over the 1600 page maximum for a volume, the typeface was changed for
the 1988/89 edition, resulting in a space saving of approximately 14%. Volume 1 Is nonetheless
1665 pages. (see Annex 1)

In the continuing difficulty over the number of pages, the publisher has experimented for the 1987 /88 edition with a much thinner paper. This makes the volume appear thinner.

(e) Index: Minor changes have been made to the index to make it easier to use. Due to space constraints, some index items had to be left out of this edition.

(f) Introduction and appendices: These are now produced in-house partly by sending disks to a Brussels printer for final film production. Some films, in particular statistical tables, are produced entirely in-house using the UIA laser printer. This has proved much more convenient for all concerned, permitting much greater control over the final output.

(g) Quality of proofs: A new format was adopted for the mailing this year. Whereas in former years there were at least four items for each organizations (a letter, a Yearbook questionnaire, a Yearbook proof [possibly of two of three pages], and a Calendar questionnaire), this year there were only two items:

-- a Yearbook proof, which included a brief introductory statement in either English or French and, at the end, questions for those Yearbook paragraphs for which we have no information, and requests for addresses and/or information for those bodies cited in the description for which we have no address or for which we have received no recent information (see Annex 1); and

-- a Calendar proof which included a brief introductory statement in both English and French, and details of future meetings listed in the Calendar, or, if there were no meetings listed in the Calendar, the "Events" paragraph from the Yearbook with a request to send information on future meetings, or, ir there were no "Events" paragraph, a request to send information on the organization's meetings (see Annex 2). Every page was marked with the organization's reference number (previously done by hand), and all pages were produced in-house on the UIA laser printer. taking information directly from the Yearbook and Calendar databases.

(k) "Mini-directory" proofs were produced for organizations whose structure or activities involve many other bodies, or who have many international bodies as members. A total of 184 such proofs were mailed in January 1988. The proofs consisted of a title page, index, description of the organization, and descriptions of all bodies cited in the "Structure", "Activities", or "Members" paragraphs. Bodies cited in the "IGO Relations" and "NGO Relations" paragraphs were listed in Appendices. Response, in terms of the quality and extent of information received, has been encouraging. It is hoped that this approach, ie offering concrete examples of the UIA's work, will stimulate interest for specialized mini-directories. (See Annex 7)

(l) Cross-reference numbers: In the 1987/88 edition a major innovation was made in connection with the citation of relationships between organizations (eg NGO Relations, IGO Relations, Membership). The reference number of the cross-referenced organization now appears after its name or abbreviation. This means that the crosi:-ref erenced entry can be consulted immediately, without the time-consuming delay of first finding the reference number in the index. Of equal importance, this innovation also means that the name cited reflects the most recent modifications, free from inaccuracies, because the cross-referenced name is only inserted in the text at the moment of going to press. This new approach also facilitates verification of the reciprocity of relationships between organizations, replacing the need for the citation index which was previously published in Volume 3.

(m) Page-numbering: On Saur's request, all volumes In the 1988/89 Yearbook series had page numbers.

International Organization Participation (Volume 2): This publication was completed on schedule for publication in July 1988. For the third time, it was produced on the in-house computer using a specially commissioned set of programmes. Introductory pages and appendices, including the extensive statistical tables, were produced, in-house with final films being produced either at a Brussels printing company, or in-house on the UiA's laser printer.

The main modification made was the use of the new typeface (as for Volume 1), thus allowing more information per page. Thus, although the number of entries in the Members' section increased from 146,249 to 163,838 (12%), and the number of entries in the Secretariats' section increased from 19,335 to 21,012 (almost 9%)), the number of pages was reduced from 1609 to 1487 (over 7%).

Global Action Networks (Volume 3): This volume was completed on schedule in October 1988, and should be available in December 1988. For the third time, it was produced on the in-house computer using a specially commissioned set of programmes. Introductory pages and appendices, including the extensive statistical tables, were produced, in-house with final films being produced either at a Brussels printing company, or in-house on the UIA's laser printer.

The main modifications made were:

(a) Size: The use of the new typeface (as for Volumes 1 and 2) allowed more information per page. Thus, although the number of entries overall increased from 228,293 to 234,683 (almost 3%), the number of pages was reduced from 1634 to 1428 (over 12%).

(b) Matrix: As part of the work on rationalising rows 7, 8 and 9, "Modes of Awareness" headings from the Human Development section of the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential have been used as categories in row 9. All other row 9 headings have been grouped as W90. This is in line with previous years' work on rows 7 and 8 and, as with those rows, organizations, problems and strategies indexed under row 9 headings appear together In matrix cell W90, the third digit of the matrix code reflecting the overall headings of the matrix columns.

(c) Section W: In addition to entries from Volume 1 of the Yearbook (using keywords both from the title and from the "Alms" paragraph), and entries from the Problems and Strategies sections of the Encyclopedia (using main and subsidiary titles), Section W now includes entries from the Human Development Concepts part of the Human Development section of the Encyclopedia.

(d) Section Z: Two categories which had to be excluded from the previous edition due to lack of space are included again in this edition.

World problems / Strategic potential

Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential (2nd edition): The first copies of this publication were delivered in June 1986. As of November 1988, the stock was virtually sold out. Reviews have varied from simply descriptive to very positive. No negative reviews appear to have been received. Positive comments focus on the richness of the publication, negative comments focus on its complexity and the weaknesses acknowledged in the book (e.g. lack of bibliographical citations, problems of classification, etc.)

Third edition: Sales are considered sufficiently satisfactory that an agreement has been reached to produce a third edition for May 1990. Editorial work was started in June 1988. The plan is to restructure the book In a number of ways to increase the ease of use and to bring out new levels of significance (e.g. links between problems, values and human development) and to address the question of the comprehension and use of such information more directly than was done in Sections C and K in the last edition.

In particular much more effort will be focussed on clarifying the relationships between problems and elaborating hierarchies. This is also important in relation to the proposed Atlas of International Network Relationships. Saur is providing less coverage of editorial costs than for the past edition. This will force the UIA to do a less extensive update since funds from other sources are difficult and time-consuming to obtain.

Meetings scheduled / Conference organization / Associate Membership

International Congress Calendar (quarterly): The report on the editorial and publishing aspects of this publication will be made separately.
Production of the Calendar, prior to final typesetting, Is now done completely on the UIA's in-house computer system. This work is now much more thoroughly integrated at the computer level with that on the organizations organizing meetings.

A final phase, as yet uncompleted, is the transfer of the computer files (previously maintained by the service bureau) for the period 1981 to 1984 onto the UIA's own system.

By-products / CD-ROM / Online

Guides to International Organization: Saur has indicated that, because of difficulties in selling the four volumes so far produced in this series (in 1984 /85), no further plans can be made at this time. The problem is largely a result of Saur's own policies requiring publications of a certain size (400-600 pages) to be sold at an unreasonably high price, with minimum marketing effort.

Mini-directories: The first of these was produced for UNESCO in January 1987 as a "Directory of NGOs in Consultative Status with UNESco·. A further edition has been discussed with UNESCO in relation to their intention to produce such a directory from their own database. Where possible such directories will be sub-sets of the Yearbook Volume 1. Modifications may however be made, as well as
inclusions of information characteristic of the presentation in Volumes 2 and 3, as well as the Encyclopedia.

At the February 1987 meeting Saur examined a summary of 17 mini-directory possibilities provided by UIA. He had suggested producing four, if this could be done at the 10 DM/page rate (see paragraph above), but this suggestion was not followed by a definite proposal as to which four possibilities he would be willing to produce.

As of the November 1988 meeting with Saur, the priority is to be given to:

Associations review / journal

Transnational Associations / Associations transnationales (bimonthly)

[NB: Versions of the UIA periodical: La Vie Internationale, 1912-21; Bulletin des associations internationals, 1943-44; Bulletin mensuel, 1951-53; International Associations, 1954-76; Transnational Associations, 1977-2001]

Statutes / Legal status

International Association Statutes: Editorial work was completed on the first volume of this new series in January 1988, and the
publication was available in March 1988. The statutes of 393 organizations were included in this volume.

In order to demonstrate the legal context within which associations operate, several appendices were included, containing lesser known
or forgotten documents and proposals dealing with the legal status of international associations. Also included are the texts of conventions In related areas. Sales and rnartketing have been slight to date, as was to be expected, and no further publication is planned for the immediate future.

Research / Statistics

Most of the UIA research capacity through 1989 will be concentrated on work in relation to the 3rd edition of the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential. Specific concerns will be articulating relations between world problems, and in relation to human development. The main preoccupation will be with clarifying understanding of the challenges of ordering complex patterns of information for more effective use. In relation to the celebration of the 80th anniversary, an examination is being made of a possible study of regional organization in relation to international organization (see Annex 6).

Research publications: The main research papers in 1986 /1987 are the following:

(a) Comprehension of appropriateness
(b) Governance through metaphor

Both are for the project on Economic Aspects of Human Development of the Regional and Global Studies Division of the UN University. They are currently in process of being revised for inclusion in a book emanating from that project. Two earlier papers associated with earlier projects of the UN University are embroiled in the usual administrative delays associated with UNU procedures which are exacerbated by the current budgetary restrictions.

(c) Development through complexity using policy alternation Final form of a paper for a book on Alternative Paradigms. Results from UIA participation in the Goals, Processes and Indicators of Development project of the UN University (1978-82).
(d) Review of frameworks for the representation of alternative conceptual orderings as determined by cultural and linguistic contexts
(e) Paper prepared for the sub-project on coding and socio-cultural context of information of the project on Information Overload and Information Underuse of the (now non-existant) Global Learning Division of the UN University.

Further work in the course of 1988, In relation to the theme of metaphors resulted in the following
papers:

(f) Metaphoric revolution; In quest of a manifesto for goverrnance through metaphor (Paper presented to the 10th World Congress of the World Futures Studies Federation, Conference, Beijing, 1988. Theme: The future of development).
(g) Reordering of networks of incommensurable concepts In phased cycles; and their comprehension through metaphor (Paper presented to the International Symposium on Models of Meaning (Bulgaria, September 1988, under the auspices of the Institute of Bulgarian Language of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences).

In connection with the publication of the first volume of the International Association Statutes Series, the opportunity was taken in 1987 to gather together relevant texts on the legal status of international associations, especially the texts of the 13 proposals for international conventions made since 1912. A comparative analysis of the provisions of these proposals was made in the form of an extensive table covering some 300 topics. This material appears as a 100 page series of appendices to the statutes volume.

Publishing / Marketing

Contractual relationship with publisher (K G Saur): The firm of KG Saur Verlag was taken over in June 1987 by a multinational corporation, Reed International (based in the UK), which also owns other major publishing companies, including Butterworths and Bowker. Saur himself is now on the board of these companies but currently retains responsibility for publishing decisions within KG Saur Verlag. New marketing arrangements for the complete range of publications are being elaborated.

The contractual relationship up to June 1987 took the following form:

These contracts stipulated monthly payments by Saur to cover editorial costs, minimum royalties (whatever the sales; payable on publication) and royalties arising from sales above the minimum (payable at the end of a budgetary cycle). This arrangement proved so complicated that it was agreed to pay a fixed monthly amount covering all publications and then to balance the accounts at the end of each budgetary period.

The problem with this approach is that in Saur's view the fixed monthly amount gradually ceased to be perceived as a "prepayment" to cover editorial costs. The act of balancing the accounts at the end of a budgetary cycle resulted in UIA "owing" amounts to Saur. Negotiations focussed on the size of the monthly amount, irrespective of the production cycle. Because of the claims by Saur that the library market was In a difficult state, it became possible for him to argue for a reduction in the monthly amount.

The complexities of this situation have been clarified under a new contract, signed in June 1987, which covers all publications. ·
The contractual situation is not particularly satisfactory but it is unclear that any more satisfactory formula could be found, whether with Saur, with another publisher, or if the UIA were to return to publishing its own books. Such possibilities should of course be explored to anticipate
any future change in the fortunes of K G Saur Verlag within the new context.

Pattern of sales:

Marketing:

Future development strategy / Proposals / Fund-raising

Dependence and diversification

Comprehension of information

Current explorations in presenting information

New edition of Encyclopedia (and its by-products): The original contractual obligation with Saur was for two editions of the Encyclopedia. Clearly there is little point in pushing for a second edition before the sales of the first warrant it.

Nevertheless it must be borne in mind that such a.publication takes time to prepare.

Reprint of 1910 Yearbooks: Some consideration could usefully be given to negotiating a reprint of the 1910 edition of the UIA Yearbook, possibly on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary celebrations.

Computer conferencing facility: In this context, the possibility of the UIA actually hosting an electronic mail system for international organizations should not be ignored. The costs of doing so are relatively low and the long term benefits to participants, including the UIA, make it easily justifiable. Such systems are in effect the contemporary concretization of the international networking activity which the UIA seeks to facilitate and for which it is now well-equipped. (This question is the subject of a separate note) Growing pains: As indicated above, most of the early difficulties have been overcome with various hardware and software developments and with the experience of staff using the system. The difficulties currently foreseen are due to the increasing integration of the different parts of
the database (organizations, meetings, world problems, bibliographical, etc). Editors now move freely between these parts, updating cross-references between them, and eliminating much paperwork.

Consequences are:

(a) This tends to require that all major database files be on the disks together, thus reducing the free working space (for sorts and production files).

(b) A more worrying consequence of this integration Is that the software used for simple text editing now also performs complex simultaneous updating of indexes (when titles change or when the pattern of relationships between entries changes), but this extra work, including complex index searches during editing and the possibility of online spellchecks, is time consuming on the older
(slower) models of computers. Such delays are a significant production penalty for some editorial operations which take from 2 to 4 times as long to perform as on the faster AT'machines (one of which was originally intended as a backup to the network server).

(c) The degree of lnterlinkage continues to raise concerns of data security in the event of hardware or power failure.

(d) The future will also raise the question of the relationship between any such internal system and external online access.

The way in which the current system upgrades to further releases of Revelation in order to remain compatible with developments in hardware and software also calls for attention. The current challenge of "Advanced Revelation• and whether, or when, the upgrade is made to it bears
continuing review.

Increasing amounts of information: The amount and quality of information held and maintained by the UIA continues to increase. As
indicated by Annex 1, in the case of the Yearbook, this information now exceeds by over 1,300 pages what can be contained in the current Volume 1 of the Yearbook.

Saur has rejected the option of producing some form of "supplement" to Volume 1 for marketing reasons. The UIA is however free to do this at its own risk. Saur would prefer to make available all the data on optical disk. This problem has been urgent for several years. Some quite radical decision will now have to be taken for the forthcoming edition of Volume 1, omitting certain sections, trimming the index, or trimming entries. The first two procedures have been used progressively for the last 3 editions. The typeface is already dangerously small for regular users.

Data dissemination challenge: online access: As has been indicated in this report in recent years, the challenge to the UIA to make information available in some form compatible with the emerging growth of data networks continues to increase. This question is discussed in more detail In Annex 2. Basically the UIA is faced with two possibilities:

(a) subscribing to an electronic mail service, allowing other subscribers to submit queries which can be submitted by UIA staff to its internal database and then sending the replies back to the inquirer.
(b) placing the UIA database in some sort of direct access mode, which at this stage would involve giving a copy to some external host.

These two possibilities could be activated in one or more of the following ways:

(a) subscribe to one or more of the standard electronic mail services in order to have "an address· through which their subscribers could contact UIA. Note that users of such services can often have their messages transferred through from one service to another, so it is not usually necessary to subscribe to more than one or two.
(b) subscribe to one of the electronic mall services which. shares the UIA non-profit, associative philosophy, such as GREEN ET /ECONENT /PEACENET or GEO NET, with a view to exploring the future transfer of a copy of the UIA database to them to enable them to market it to their subscribers.
(c) subscribe to a commercial service such as ONTYMEJTYMNET under conditions which offer the UIA greater control and the opportunity to develop a network identity for an NGONET, with the possibility of offering database access at some future stage under UIA control.

Data dissemination challenge: compact disk (CD-ROM): As indicated in Annex 2, the UIA continues to be faced with requests for access to its database. The online opportunities for the UIA seem to necessitate a phase of simple electronic mail before integrating in any database facility -- if that proves to be desirable.

Our publisher, K G Saur Verlag, Is now distributing some major reference works on compact disk and is In favour, or claims to be, of distributing UIA information in this form. This "willingness" may just be a ploy for avoiding the issue of what to do with the excess of information which he is not prepared to include in an expanded Yearbook series. The hardware for optical disk storage is now evolving:

(a) The current widely available form (CD /ROM) does not allow the user to write onto the disk, and requires expensive means of production. UIA would certainy lose control of any data produced and distributed in this way - especially through Saur.
(b) Less widely known is the form in which the producer writes once to the disk and the user accesses it as often as is required (CD /WORM). This form is relatively inexpensive for the producer, permitting tailor-made one-off products, and would allow the UIA to develop its own independent relationship with users. The problem of losing control of the data remains but at
least distribution control becomes easier. This could be implemented immediately. (The IBM product costs 103.500 BF for the disk drive and 2.867 BF per disk) The snag is that the technology is evolving so rapidly that it is unclear how long any particular hardware standard will last, especially with the emergence of the third variety below.
(c) Eraseable optical disks are now being released onto the market (price as yet unknown). These will almost certainly prove to be a more attractive proposition than either of the above. The snag is that the price will initially be high and there will probably be the usual standards battle which will make it difficult for the UIA to commit itself to a device which potential users may
have less confidence in.

At this point in time, however, if the UIA did wish to offer access to its data, the one-off cost for the WORM drive to the UIA would be around 100,000 FB, and the same to the user, plus whatever charge was made for the database (or some portion thereof).

Challenge of openness: The UIA Is faced with a basic multi-factor dilemma:

(a) By statute it is committed to disseminating information on international organizations and their preoccupations as widely as possible.
(b) The conventional means for doing this has been through books, and these will continue to have their place. However it is also clear that the amount of information and the production/marketing options continue to force up the price of such books which are completely inaccessible to the bodies that the UIA most seeks to serve.
(c) It is also clear that the traditional purchasers of books, libraries, etc. are under considerable pressure to reduce the scope of their purchases. (Saur is eloquent on this point.)
(d) At the same time non-profit bodies are not prepared to pay more than token amounts for the kinds of information which the UIA might provide.
(e) In order to survive and maintain its clearinghouse function the UIA is obliged to make available its information through a high-priced channel.
(f) Simultaneously there is considerable evolution of data networks and services of various kinds, many of which enable the formation of electronic organizations or groups (as on computer conferences). These modes bypass, and often reject, the book farm' as inadequate ta the real needs for selecting, reordering and using information.
(g) Finally there Is the challenge of the quantity and complexity of the information itself, as currently handled by the UIA. Users are effectively disempawered by the mass of impenetrable information, however well It is indexed. Users do not have tools to assist in comprehending the complex patterns of information, and there is a developing opportunity for those who claim, or
attempt, to provide such tools.

The problem for the UIA presumably lies in some formula under which It could Increase its degree of "openness" - offering to users the kinds of tools currently used by UIA editors in maintaining and developing the database, and developing new tools to supplement them (cf the Atlas of International Relationships and the discussion of metaphors). The challenge is how to do this with out completely placing at risk the basic UIA income.

The key question is what Is the risk of making available information, whether online or on optical disk? Can the distribution be usefully controlled - or is this an inappropriate question? Are there any clever tricks for encrypting data and using software to permit "reasonable" access but prevent"unreasonable" access - and do these terms have any real meaning?\

It would also be preferable If the UIA could formulate a positive philosophy of openness rather than be forced into openness by the evolution of the information society. Such a positive philosophy might include:

There will clearly come a time when associative activity will shift Its centre of gravity from physical meetings/hardcopy documents/post to electronic metlngs/electronic documents/data networks. This Is an important opportunity for the UIA to which others are adapting already.

Computer-related infrastructure

Current hardware situation: The system currently consists of the following elements:

(a) Micro-computers: 4 AT clones, 1 as network server and 3 as workstations; 2 XT and 10 PC clones, of 640K RAM each. Of the 12 XT /PC clones, one is principally used for printing and tape-backups, one is principally used for batch jobs and cassette-backups, one Is shared with FAIB/IAPCO/MAI, two have 10MB internal hard disks, and one is used for development purposes outside the network. Of the 16 screens, the 12 which are used intensively are equipped with polarizing filters. Accelerator cards have been used with some success on 3 machines, but only one is in current use because of the incidence of failure (apparently due to slight incompatibility). An 8087 chip is used on one machine. There is also a machine which is not compatible with the network; it was used briefly in 1987 to enter statutes, which were then transferred to the network.

(b) Main memory: 3 hard disk drives, totalling 291 mB (291 million characters).

(c) Backup units: 1 Thom EMI streamer tape unit for backups and transfer of tapes to Computaprint (London) for photocomposition; 1 Emerald 60mB cartridge tape unit for routine backups.

(d) Printers: 1 Hewlett Packard LaserJet; 1 HP Thinkjet, 1 Brother M1409, 1 Brother M1209, 1 Facit 4512, and 1 Olympia ESW 3000 daisywheel.

(e) Modem: 1 Daisy 21, 300 baud modem, permitting access to electronic mail systems (especially in the USA)

Improvements to the network and network security: In contrast to 1987, when serious problems due to hardware failures were encountered in the summer and again in the fall, 1988 has thus far been relatively problem-free. It appears, therefore, that the decision made last year to upgrade the network hardware and software was correct; at that time the Omninet network cables and interface cards were partially replaced by an Arcnet system, and the network software was upgraded. Those problems that have been encountered so far this year have been largely solved by a further hardware upgrade, namely the replacement of the remaining Omninet network cables and interface cards with Arcnet cables and cards.

The problem of disk failure remains, however, and has caused the loss of several days' work again this year (the latest incident occurred just 2 weeks ago). It has therefore been decided to upgrade the network software in November 1988 to a version which, among other features, duplicates essential disk allocation tables, and automatically checks for and marks bad blocks on the hard disks.

The practice of making daily internal backups (as well as external backups) for the most important files continues. This however requires disk space, which ls often at a premium, especially now that work on the new edition of the Encyclopedia has begun. As has been mentioned in previous years, there is some doubt concerning the vulnerability of the computer equipment to surges in the power supply. However, there is still no certainty that the security offered by a UPS system justifies the high cost especially as, for complete security, several surge suppressors would be needed.

Consideration could still be given to a further upgrade in the network software which would automatically duplicate all the data. This would require that we double our disk capacity.

Current software situation: The following software is currently in use:

1. Network operating system: Novell Netware 286 v2.0a, to be upgraded to v2.11 (see A.2. above).

2. Text data base: Revelation, 14 user network version, Release G2B. A copy of "Advanced Revelation" has been purchased and its possibilities (and potential problems) are being explored.

3. UIA Revelation programs: The total number of Revelation application programs developed by the UIA (whether by consultants or internally) continues to increase. In 1988 many of the major programmes have been reviewed, refined, and made more sophisticated, in line with UIA's increasing competence at exploiting its computer system. In particular the central text database program now handles in real time (rather than a occasional batch jobs) the complex tasks of updating the pattern of links between records (e.g. membership relationships), subject/name indexing/retrieval, and the hierarchical listing of networks. A spellcheck facility is under development.

4. Word-processing: RWORD (compatible with Revelation) and Wordstar (convertible to and from Revelation format) are in continuous use.

5. Graphics: Interactive Easyflow was used to redraw some of the organization charts reproduced in the Yearbook, Vol 1, 1987 /88. A number of other graphics and network analysis packages have been acquired In the process of investigating means of mapping networks.

6. Occasional use is made of other packages such as dBase II and a wide range of utilities.

Usage of the system:

1. Hard disks: The current disk capacity of 291 million characters is used for the following major groups of files:

(a) Organization entry file (30,781 Kb); index file (1,751 Kb); auxiliary files (8,143 Kb)
(b) Calendar file (7,721 Kb); index file (3,920); auxiliary files (3,605 Kb)
(c) World Problems file (15,419 Kb); index file (744 Kb); auxiliary files (6,312 Kb)
(d) Human Development file (2,709 Kb); index file (164 Kb); auxiliary files (283 Kb)
(e) Contacts file (660 Kb); Index file (296 Kb); auxiliary files (86 Kb)
(f) Correspondence files (4,338 Kb)
(g) Thesauri (thematic 1,901 Kb; geographical 5,810 Kb)
(h) Reference files (procedures 1, 733 Kb; bibliographies 604 Kb)
(i) Production files, Including intermediary address files (3,825 Kb) and print files (4, 189 Kb)
0) Work areas for sorting
(k) Copies of essential files (45,000 Kb)

Whilst a core group of files is always accessible on the network, the pattern of non-priority files held on it changes a great deal throughout the year. The increase in disk capacity last year reduced some of the need for such maneuvering and now permits internal copies of major (30mB) files for security purposes (as part of the evaluation of the need to upgrade to System Fault Tolerant software). With the addition of the Encyclopedia files, however, it has again become necessary to plan the use of disk capacity to allow maximum simultaneous production and editorial work.

2. Work stations: These are fully used by editors during working hours. Machines are seldom"free". Outside office hours, there are often times when several machines are running over-night on production jobs.

3. Printers:

(a) Laser printer: This is fully used. In fact, its use must often be scheduled.
(b) Other printers: These are extremely convenient, and all are increasingly used.

4. Tape units: These are in daily use for backups.

Adaptation of working methods: All staff working on publication production in one capacity or another have now adapted their working methods to take advantage of the computer system. All editorial work is now done directly onto the network without any Intermediate "secretarial" phase. Administrative, mailing and editorial operations are now integrated. Because of the complexities of the many operations involved, and the flexibility of the system and consequently of working methods, it has been considered inefficient to attempt to rationalize the
system beyond a certain degree.

Procedures are being progressively streamlined and improved. Most procedures have now been documented In considerable detail. This process progresses as time and production priorities permit.

[See Annexes in PDF format]

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