Principal Authors: Pablo Liendo
Date of Publication: 1992-07-01
Date of HTML Modification: 2000-11-22
Original Language: English
Regions: Latin America and the Caribbean
Subjects: National or Regional Networks
Publishing House: "Calidad, Tecnología y Globalización en la Educación Superior Latinoamericana", UNESCO/CRESALC, 07/92
Type of Document: Publications
See Related Articles

THE SQUARED ONION: A USEFUL APPROACH TO DEVELOP NETWORK SERVICES HARMONIOUSLY. Pablo Liendo Regional Corresponsal for the REDALC Project Caracas, Venezuela Feb, 1993 ABSTRACT

                                                     
Developing telematic network services has proved to be not an
easy task. Furthermore, the lessons taken from previous national
experiences are not necessarily appliable in other countries. It
is not uncommon to face the investment of vast amounts of
resources to set in place a telematic network, and having just a
few effective users benefiting from it, mostly coming from
computing related disciplines.
 
As part of the activities during the feasibility study of the so
called REDALC Project, the author has enriched a conceptual
model of the "potential users" market, which is depicted as an
"Squared Onion", each layer corresponding to subsets of user
shares.  The author assumes that there are at least 7 subsets of
users: 1) the ones to whom these technologies simply do not
apply, 2) those who have not even heard of it, 3) those who
perceive it as non pertinent to their particular occupations, 4)
the ones not empowered to use its services due to socioeconomic
barriers, 5) those lacking the proper training, 6) the "not
deterred" but unsatisfied effective users, and 7) the ones quite
happy with the current state of the local available technology.
 
Each set has its peculiarities and hence deserves to be
approached with specific strategies accordingly. Plenty of such
strategies are considered: new services development, spreading
information about the existence of the services already
available, setting in place and disseminating working models
capable of being emulated, national grammatical characters
handling, automatic language translation, lowering costs of the
basic local systems configuration, wide spreading of LANs,
raising the quality and lowering costs of intra and inter
network data transmission, optimal architecture network
designing, rational commercial data banks access, complementary
technologies on a cost/benefit basis such as CD-ROM or non
interactive database access through e-mail, fostering
non-commercial databases, large scale training courses geared to
final users not particularly familiar with computer sciences or
telecommunication, user friendly interfaces, participation of
the most capable effective users in the planning, operation and
administration of networks, international financial and
technical cooperation, inducing the proper sense of value of
this strategic resource: the connectional one, among others.
 
Finally some consideration is dedicated to several variables
related to the supply and demand of the telematic services
market, such as: formal users vs. effective use, installed idle
capacity, felt demand, actual service supply, etc.
 
This kind of analysis enables us to identify responsibilities in
order to develop the telematic services market harmoniously. It
becomes pretty obvious that not one single entity could fulfill
the entire "Square Onion" requirements.
 
 
Note: The REDALC Project feasibility study was conducted by
UNION LATINA with the participation of UNESCO and the
sponsorship of The European Community.
 
===============================================================

Introduction.-
 

Developing network services has proved to be not an easy task
and that includes the telematic ones. In any serious analysis of
the problems encountered it is a must to emphasize the key role
of the end user. Within the present work, let us start by
defining what the services are, being the offer of the market
under consideration. Then we will proceed with some
considerations about the end users as the ones representing the
demand of such a market.

It is sad to realize that the lessons taken from previous
national experiences are not necessarily appliable in other
countries. It is not uncommon to face the investment of vast
amounts of resources to set in place a telematic network, and
having just a few effective users benefiting from it, mostly
coming from computing related disciplines.
 
Conceptual Model.-

Just for the sake of restricting our analysis, the telematic
services we will be referring to are the followings1

A.- Message Interchange:

    1.- Interactively:

        a.- On a 1:1 relation:

            It is commonly refer as a "telematic talk" or more
            simply as "interactive message". Both parties are
            required to be on line.  The originator sends some
            special commands like TELL, TALK, CHAT, etc. to the
            proposed receptor. If the later accepts replies and
            the "conversation" proceeds. Anything typed at one
            end is seen at the other in real time.
 
        b.- On a 1:N relation:
     
            It is known as "teleconferencing by computer"2
            The date and time is announced well in advance and
            the participants get subscribed by sending the
            appropriated commands to a control device, at which
            time the Moderator sends throughout the network the
            agenda .  Each active participant sends its
            contribution in turns until the theme is exhausted.
            It is not uncommon that more than 250 people get
            involved in one of there teleconferences.
 
    2.- In batch

        a.- On a 1:1 relation:
     
            It is by far the most frequently used telematic
            service. It is referred as "electronic mail"3 or
            simply: "e-mail". The originator usually writes its
            message by means of a an plain ASCII editor. The it
            is sent to the receptor by specifying its electronic
            address. If the syntax is correct the networks
            routes the messages through the intermediary nodes.
            The advantage here is that the originator does not
            have to be on line by the time de message is sent.

        b.- On a 1:N relation

            It is known as "electronic journal". In this case
            one user acts as Editor and gives it some predefined
            and distributes it periodically.

        c.- On a N:M: relation

            It is referred as "interest group", "list" or
            "conference". By means of a controlling device,
            several users of e-mail share their common interest
            using the networks. One single network might have
            more than 1.000 of these lists and to one of the
            might be affiliated more than 5.000 users.

B.- File transferring:

    While e-mailing often limits its texts to a few lines,
    This service allows the interchange of greater volumes of
    information and of a variety of characteristics. The files
    in transit could contain formatted text, spreadsheets,
    graphics, binary code, etc..
 
C.- Data base access:
  
    Directories of all kinds are particularly useful. They
    list users, nodes, resources, organizations, projects,
    courses, events, etc.4 Bibliographic data are of great
    demand although they only usually point at where the
    actual article resides.

D.- Remote logon:

    Are referred as "interactive remote sessions". It implies
    the actual connection to a remote systems . Theses
    services are badly needed by physicists, mathematicians,
    chemists, etc. who need the power of remote super
    computers.
 
 
On the other hand, as part of the activities during the
feasibility study5,6,7 of the Red para America Latina y El
Caribe, REDALC Project, the author has enriched a conceptual
model of the "potential users" market, which is depicted as an
"Squared Onion", each layer corresponding to subsets of user
shares. This exercise provides a powerful conceptual model to
identify problematic areas and moreover to select plausible
solutions.

The author assumes that there are at least 7 subsets of users:

                     SQUARED ONION (Figure 1)

VARIABLES                USER SETS             STRATEGIES

 
              +--+--+--+--+--+--+---------+
          ....!..!..!..!..!..!..!Not Rela.! Newer Services
          I   !  !  !  !  !  !  +---------+
Offering  I   !  !  !  !  !  !Not Exposed ! Cont. Education
          I   !  !  !  !  !  +------------+
          I   !  !  !  !  ! Not Interested! Working Models
        ..I...!..!..!..!..+---------------+
Felt    I I   !  !  !  !     Not Empowered! Politics/Eficiency
Demand  I I   !  !  !  +------------------+
        I I   !  !  !          Not Trained! Training./Innovation
      ..I.I...!..!..+---------------------+
      I I I   !  !            Not Deterred! Participac./Migration
Effec.I I I   !  +------------------------+
Use   I I I   !            Fully Satisfied! Resource Value
      I.I.I...+---------------------------+  
 

1.- Not Related: 

    These are the ones to whom these technologies simply do not
    apply Obviously, no matter how promissory the telematic
    services are, there are some other needs not fulfilled by
    them. It may be because of their nature or because of their
    cost-benefit ratio 

2.- Not Exposed:

    To this set belong those who have not even heard of the
    telematic services. We could call them "passive marginals".
    We really do not know whether they are interested or not
    until they receive adequate information about this theme.

3.- Not Interested:

    Here we include those who perceive the telematic services as
    non pertinent to their particular occupations. The author
    assumes that the information available to them is not quite
    appropriated, otherwise they would be considered as
    belonging to de first set (Not Related). To some extend this
    group is "automarginals" by conviction.

4.- Not Empowered:

    This group does not benefit from these services due to
    socioeconomic barriers8.Sometimes it is a matter of a
    language barrier. Often it is related to economic
    limitations.  Last but not least some are excluded due to
    political issues.  This group could be referred to as
    "active marginals".

5.- Not Trained:

    It is a fact that these technologies imply a great deal of
    complexity. Therefore a significant degree of training is
    assumed on behalf of the potential users. It is a paradox
    how newer interfaces provide a variety of features that
    intimidate the "non computists" newcomers to get involved in
    the its use.

6.- Not Deterred:

    These are actual users but not satisfied with the current
    state of the available systems. This includes communication,
    informatics, information systems, organizational issues,
    etc. It is important to realize that this group represents
    the most promising resource to the perfectibility of these
    systems.

7.- Fully Satisfied:

    This group is more conceptual than real. It is composed with
    those actual users quite happy with the current state of the
    local available technology. Like many other fields,
    telematics imposes quite a challenge to the adaptive ability
    of the users, due to its never ending evolution

Strategies for Development-

The "Squared Onion" model provides a framework to analyze each
layer separately. The point here is that there are many reasons
why so many people is not yet using the telematic services
available worldwide. Each set has its peculiarities and hence
deserves to be approached with specific strategies
accordingly9.  Let us consider some of the proposed
strategies to develop network services harmoniously relating
them to the above mentioned subsets (or layers) of potential
users.

1.- Not Related:

    With time newer services will be developed. Then it is a
    matter of letting this people know about their
    characteristics and see their reaction.

2.- Not Exposed:

    In some regions of the World to this group belong a great
    many people. Indeed so many that it deserves special
    provisions beforehand, given the foreseeable impact upon
    information (data) traffic trough the current
    telecommunication channels. Also its incorporation will
    impact the technical and administrative requirements for
    support. The basic strategy here is the continuos education
    of the potential users after the proper arrangements are
    made to provide the above mentioned support.

3.- Not Interested:

    The most promising strategy here is the setting in place of
    operating models able to be emulated10. This has to be
    done by means of the network itself. Some typical examples
    are structured e-mailing systems like "Interest Groups" and
    "Electronic Journals"; teleconferencing and data base remote
    access. It is important to emphasize the role of the
    international cooperation to foster the financing and
    diffusion of the relevant models.
 
4.- Not Empowered:

    To the contrary of the preceding group, this one does not
    need attitudinal changes. They only need a diminution or
    abolition of the barriers. As far as the language is
    concerned, every time will be more telematic transactions
    using a particular language.  The author assigns a
    particular potential to the automatic language translation
    systems11. One could access a data base non interactively
    via e-mail12, and receive the result after being
    translated by one of those systems.  The following list
    includes some of the aspects were economic barriers could
    arise:

    a.- Local Hardware: Workstation, microcomputer or terminal,
        MODEM, etc. It is seldom a problem.  
 
    b.- Communication Software: interface, connection manager,
        file manager, etc. There are lots of public domain
        Software13, hence it should not be an economic problem
        either.

    c.- Telecommunication link between the user and the node:
        Local Area Network, conventional dedicated link, fiber
        optic link, Radio-MODEM, etc. Here we find a true
        "bottled neck". It is fair to say that generally
        speaking LANs availability is well behind WANGs. In
        developing countries the phone companies infrastructure
        is very poor and are highly saturated.  Nevertheless it
        is worth mentioning that sometimes the Academic sector
        has been granted special rates, even by private phone
        companies14.

    d.- Telecommunication links intra e inter national networks

        Similar considerations apply15.
 
    e.- Telecommunication links inter international networks:

        Satellite, submarine cable, microwaves, Packet-Radio,
        etc.  Without any doubt this is the most expensive
        segment. The proposed strategy is to make more rational
        the topology of the networks, both at the national and
        regional levels. Again the international cooperation is
        badly needed to set in place "backbones" based on
        satellites16,17.

    f.- Information Systems: Usually are data bases or multi
        services commercially operated. A more rational use is
        what is needed. The CD-ROM technology is playing a key
        role here. Also, data base access through e-mail such as
        BITNIS, is very promising. The most useful strategy here
        is the integration of organizational (libraries) with
        telematic networks on a complementary basis18,19.
 
    g.- Network Managing Entities: These should be ideally
        pluralistic20,21,22 AS far as costs are concerned it
        is proposed that the node absorbs the installation costs
        and later the operation should be financed with minimal
        participation from the end users, specially the ones
        involved in research work within the public sector.

    h.- User Groups: Since it is a voluntary kind of association
        it is seldom an economic problem.

5.- Not Trained:

    A combination of interface developments addressed to the
    "non computist" type of user and an aggressive training plan
    to the general population seems to be advisable.   

6.- Not Deterred:

    To the last two layers belong the actual users. The strategy
    with this group is to enroll the most capable into the
    process of developing the many aspects of the networks. The
    critical areas are:

    
 local interface
    
 actual availability of LAN access
    
 availability of dedicated links
    
 quality of user-node link (speed, noise, etc.)
    
 quality of phone stations (electromechanical)
    
 cost of international inter network links
    
 bandwidth of international inter network links
    
 average downtime sue to system crashes, bath intra and
      transnational
    
 telematic services provided.(Remote Logon ?)
    
 technical user support (different skill degrees)
    
 availability of updated information on network resources
      (users, nodes, files, etc.)
    
 message Addressing conventions
    
 prevalent languages outside a particular region
    
 irrelevant non commercial data bases.
 
7.- Fully Satisfied:

    This group should be make sensible to the value of
    information systems. Cultures long deprived of reliable
    information sources, develop alternate ways to make
    decisions. It also implies a lack of perception as to the
    actual value of the information as a resource and even less
    idea about the cost of setting in place and operate
    sophisticated information systems.
 
References.-  
 
1.- Liendo, P., Mendillo, V. y Orantes, A.: Una Visita al
    Futuro: la telematica, nuevo punto de apoyo a los
    postgrados.  III Seminario Latinoamericano de Estudios de
    Postgrado. UCV.  November, 1991. (in Press).

2.- Azarmsa, R.: Teleconferencing: an instructional tool.
    Educational Technology. December, 1987

3.- Updegrove, D., Muffo, J. and Dunn, J.: Electronic Mail and
    Networks: new tools for institutional research and
    university planning. Base de datos sobre articulos del
    CCNEWS, el Foro Electronico para Editores de Boletines
    Academicos, un servicio de EDUCOM basado en BITNET. 1989.

4.- Cardoza, G. Estudio sobre Posibilidades de Cooperacion
    entre los Programas Regionales de Informacion en Ciencia y
    Educacion Superior. Programa Cooperativo UNESCO-ACAL. April
    1991.
 
5.- REDALC Workshop. Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana. July,
    1991.

6.- First Interamerican Networking Worshop. Rio de Janeiro,
    Brasil. October, 1991.
 
7.- Meeting of the "CONEXION" Group. Caracas, Venezuela. January,
    1992.
 
8.- Rodriguez, G.: Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Proyectos
    de las Redes de Informacion en America Latina. NTC/NCT. Vol.
    VI, No. 14, Lima, Peru. IPAL. May, 1991.
 
9.- Pimienta, D.: El Desarrollo de las Redes en los Paises en
    Vias de Desarrollo. NTC/NCT. Vol. VI, No. 14, Lima, Peru.
    IPAL.  May, 1991.

10.- REDALC Workshop. Pilot Applications. Santo Domingo,
    Republica Dominicana. July, 1991
 
11.- Fact Sheet on SPANAM/ENGSPAN. Oficina Sanitaria
    Panamericana. October, 1986.

12.- Quintero, R., Liendo, P., et al.: BITNIS.... Acta
    Cientifica Venezolana. 1990
 
13.- Callahan, M. and Anis, N.: Dr. File Finder's Guide to
    Shareware. McGraw-Hill. 1990.
 
14.- Pimienta, D.: Clausulas del convenio a establecer con la
    empresa CODETEL beneficiando al sector Ciencia y Tecnologia
    en Republica Dominicana y Haiti. 1992. (Personal
    communication) 

15.- Herrera, R.: Message sent to the "CONEXION" group (BITNET)
    January, 29th, 1992.
 
16.- Pimienta, D.: Presentation of the state of the REDALC Project.
    Executive Summary. December, 1990.
 
17.- Holden, C.: Supernetwork Authorized. Press release.
    Science, Vol. 254. December, 1991.
 
18.- Reunion Regional sobre Redes de Informacion e Investigacion
    en el Marco del Proyecto REDALC en America Latina y El
    Caribe.  Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. October, 1991.
 
19.19.- Reunion Regional del Proyecto "Banco de Datos sobre
    Educacion Superior en America Latina y El Caribe": Final
    Report. UNESCO/CRESALC. Caracas, Venezuela. April, 1991.
 
20.- Objetivos y Principios de la Red Mexicana: una propuesta
    (copia entregada al autor por Adolfo Dunayevich,
    Corresponsal por Mexico para el Proyecto REDALC). July,
    1991.

21.- Asociacion Red Cientifica Peruana. Documento de trabajo
    (copia entregada al autor por Jose Soriano, Director
    Asociado del Proyecto REDALC). October, 1991.

22.- Estatutos Sociales de la Asociacion Red Cientifica Peruana.
    (copia entregada al autor por Jose Soriano, Director
    Asociado del Proyecto REDALC). October, 1991.

PLCH/plch

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