THE HYBRID CD-ROM - POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS IN AFRICA

Many believe that CD-ROM's storage capacity and its full integration w ith desktop and notebook computers make it an attractive technology fo r developing countries. Its integration with microcomputers offers dev eloping countries several bonuses. One innovative use of the technolog y in developing countries is to combine if with online networks. Altho ugh there have been projects that improve the awareness of the potenti al of CD-ROM in developing countries and a copious body of research wo rk on the use of CD-ROM technology is also available, there is still a gap between expectation and realisation. Thus several questions arise which require further evaluation. For example, what are the benefits of merging CD-ROM technology with online networks in Africa? How can o ptical mass storage such as CD-ROM and DVD (digital versatile/video di sc) effectively be utilised to reduce an information gap in Africa? Th is paper describes the potential use of hybrid CD-ROM/online technolog y in developing countries and provides partial answers to these questi ons as they relate to Africa.