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In recent times, extant literature increasingly underscores the importance of indigenous innovations. This chapter provides an empirical illustration that a collaboration between indigenous knowledge systems and mainstream knowledge systems will not only help overcome the shortcomings in both systems, but also result in more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions. The chapter also advocates for public policies that facilitate the development and dissemination of such innovations. Using a case study from the Nigerian context, a framework is provided in this chapter, to illustrate how scientific knowledge can be applied to indigenous innovations to result in the next generation of sustainable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions.

Comments on general communication forms and then e‐mail in particular, in various applications. Presents the Indian scenario, with service providers from government agencies: ERNET, SIRNET, NICNET, INDONET, VSNL, and from corporate agencies: ICNET, UUNET India, DART, BIIT, RPG Sprint, Datapro. Lists the problems and prospects, considering the views of the infrastructure and the service provider. Concludes that novelty will give way to necessity, that demand will be driven by competition among service providers, and by the prospect of improving the work culture in organizations.

This paper aims to analyze deeply the effect of surface roughness conditions of the common interface of the two-layered riveted cantilever beams on their frictional damping during free lateral vibration at first mode. Here, the product, (µ × α), and damping ratio, ξ, are the parameters whose variations are analyzed in this investigation. For this, the influencing parameters considered are the natural frequency of vibration, f; the amplitude of initial excitation, y; and surface roughness value, Ra.

For experimentally evaluating logarithmic damping decrement, d, the frequency response function analyzer for the case of free lateral vibrations was used. Later, for evaluating the product, µ × α (where µ is the kinematic coefficient of friction and α is the dynamic slip ratio), and then, the damping ratio, ξ, the empirical relation suggested for logarithmic damping decrement, d, of riveted cantilever beams was used. After this, the full and reduced quadratic models of the product, µ × α, ξ, response surface methodology (RSM) with the help of Design Expert 11 software was used. Corresponding main effects plots, surface plots and prediction comparison plots were obtained to observe the variations of the product, µ × α, ξ for the variations of influencing parameters: f, y and Ra. Finally, a machine learning technique such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) using “nntool” present in MATLAB R13a software was used to predict the ξ for the different combinations of f, y and Ra.

The full and reduced quadratic regression models for the product, (µ × α) and the damping ratio, ξ of riveted cantilever beams for free lateral vibrations of the first mode in terms of the parameters: f, y and Ra were obtained. In addition, the main effects plots, surface plots and prediction comparison plots for the product, µ × α, ξ, with the corresponding experimental values of the product, µ × α, ξ, were obtained. Also, the execution of ANNs using MATLAB R13a software is proved to be the more accurate tool for the prediction of damping ratios in comparison to quadratic regression equations obtained from Design Expert 11 software. In the end, the assumption that the effect of surface roughness value on the product, (µ × α), and the damping ratio, ξ, is negligible is proved to be true using the main effects plots for the product, (µ × α) and ξ obtained from the Design Expert 11 software.

Obtaining the full and reduced quadratic regression equations for the product, (µ × α), and ξ of the two-layered riveted cantilever beams in terms of parameters: f, y and Ra was done. In addition, the conditions for the corresponding minimum and maximum values of the product, (µ × α), and ξ were obtained. Later, the main effects plots, surface plots and comparison plots of the predicted product, (µ × α), and ξ versus experimental product, (µ × α), and ξ were also obtained. Finally, the predicted values of the product, (µ × α), and ξ using the ANNs tool are observed to be the more accurate values in comparison to that obtained from RSM using the Design Expert 11 software.

Developments in information technology have revolutionised the concept of converting large volumes of information into machine‐readable form as databases. This paper reports results of a study to find the number of institutions possessing CDROM facilities, the availability of various CDROM databases, procurement modes, expenditure, usage by number of searches conducted, and so on in India.

The Third National Meeting of CDROM/Online Users was sponsored by National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT), Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), New Delhi; organised by the National Information Centre for Leather & Allied Industries (NICLAI); and held at the Central Leather Research Institute, Madras during 9–10 August 1994. The previous two Meetings were held at New Delhi in 1992 and 1993. The Meeting's objective was to assess the current national and international situation, the utility of CDROM services, and their popularisation within the country, and to provide a forum for exchange of experiences on this new technique. The Meeting focused its attention on databases available, demand for search services, target users, problem areas and possible solutions. The Meeting was attended by 205 participants from 91 institutions all over the country, representing a galaxy of R&D, academic, corporate, entrepreneurial and so forth institutions. Eleven industries engaged in information technology products participated in the Meeting. The Meeting included technical sessions where 39 presentations were made.

Discusses CD‐ROM as a provider of multiple, simultaneous and remote access to a large amount of information such as abstracts, full text, directories, education materials, music, etc. Presents a number of options that are available to increase access to a CD‐ROM collection and commonly used CD‐ROM networks under LANs, viz., peer‐to‐peer, file servers, client/server and optical servers. Also discusses selection of hardware and software for successful networking. Concludes that careful study of the pros and cons of establishing a CD‐ROM network has to be weighed in terms of cost and usage.

This paper aims to address the magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer flow of hybrid mixture across a stretching surface under the influence of electric field.

The local similarity transformations are implemented to reformulate the governing partial differential equations into coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations of higher order. The numerical solutions are obtained for the simplified governing equations with the aid of finite difference technique.

The velocity, temperature and entropy generation are examined thoroughly for the effects of different budding parameters related to present analysis by means of graphs. It is obtained that owing to the effect of magnetic field along with slip factor, the fluid motion slowdown. However, the flow velocity enhances for the rising estimations of an electric field which tends to resolve sticky effects.

The three-dimensional plots are drawn to understand the nature of physical quantities. To ensure the precision, the obtained solutions are compared with the existing one for certain specific conditions. A good concurrence is observed between the proposed results and previously recorded outcomes.

Presents briefly the publishing activities and the impact of new technologies on the publishing and delivery of electronic information. Highlights the hybrid solutions, namely online launch, information augmentation, information supplementation and update, delivery, ways and means of accessing through online services from commercial companies and publishers. The paper discusses Internet, magnetic media, fax on demand, and personal digital libraries or intelligent Internet terminals. Concludes with publishing information transforming into media production, the need for laws on intellectual property to become global, and the term subscription replacing the term licensing.

It is the responsibility of any government to ensure efficient, transparent and reliable services to the common man through telecentres. The purpose of this study is to take into account the influence of people and process on transparency that leads to effective e-governance.

This study involved collecting data through questionnaire method from 400 citizens who visited the telecentres. Data were analysed by conducting chi-square test and independent sample t-test, and it was found that there exists significant influence of location on transparency.

The current study reiterates the fact from literature that transparency in transactions enables effective e-governance. Beneficiaries perceive that people and processes have influence on transparency.

The research adds up to the literature in establishing that there exist differentials among the rural and urban population with respect to transparency. Results could be skewed, as there could be an impact of population density across urban and rural areas.

This study brings out a framework and an action plan for the government to implement and ensure transparency in processes leading to effective e-governance.

The action plan ensures transparency in service delivery leading to effective e-governance. Increased transparency empowers citizens with increased trustworthiness towards services delivered through telecentres.

This paper fulfils the need for an action plan to assure citizens to use deliveries through telecentres with better transparency. The aspect of transparency is not being studied in the present context of service delivery by the government authorities in India. Moreover, the influence of transparency on e-governance is also under-explored.

Provides a broad view of the role of an Internet service provider (ISP) and the factors to be considered before entering the ISP market. Describes the Internet/ISP scene within India and discusses the configuration of local, regional and national level ISPs, and the supporting infrastructure. Identifies success factors. Concludes that though many companies entered the nascent ISP business in India due to deregulation, many of them are unlikely to survive in the longer term.