ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the problems of introducing microcomputers into Third World countries, with emphasis on the importance of ensuring the accuracy of the manual data collection system. In Paris, the World Centre for Microelectronics and Human Resources was created in 1981 to monitor worldwide development of microelectronics in order to allow French industry to take advantage of it; the World Centre also was supposed to transfer microcomputer technology to Third World countries (TWCs). Computers have been used in TWCs since the 1960s, and comparatively recently, the microcomputer has joined the larger mainframe and minicomputers in the technology transfer process. The history of technology transfer to TWCs, short as it is, abounds with failures and misconceived projects. A detailed needs assessment was done comparing various microcomputers and software written specially for the Egyptian system, allowing entry of data and printouts in Arabic.
