Daniel Pimienta was born in Casablanca (Morocco), read Mathematics in Nice (France) and obtained a Ph.D. in Computer Sciences. After creating a software House specialized in APL, he joined IBM, in the La Gaude Laboratory (France).

He spent 12 years with IBM Corp., as Telecommunication system architect and planner. He took his share in the development of voice/data integration products, videotex, electronic messaging, and other activities related to the OSI protocol. He was assigned, during 2 years, in the Research Triangle Park's IBM Lab.

In 1988, he joined UNION LATINE, in Santo Domingo, as Scientific Advisor and Head of the REDALC office (Network for LA&C). He start dealing with New Information Technologies for Developing Countries, focusing Education, Research and Development areas. With the support of EUROPEAN UNION and with the collaboration of UNESCO, his team designed one of the first PC based high level interface to networks and built INTERNET infrastructures in various countries (Peru, Dominican Republic and Haiti). Additionally, the team took care of the operation of the Dominican Network, and organized several conferences and workshops for users. The results, with a strong focus on methodology, have been largely documented and diffused.

En 1993, he launched the Networks and Development Foundation (FUNREDES) to extend his actions for the INTERNET development in the Caribbean. Managing various virtual communities, training users, designing information resources, negotiating mutual benefit agreements with INTERNET Service Providers, are some of the projects he participated as Head of FUNREDES.

About the INTERNET, Daniel Pimienta has been invited as expert or speaker in various international conferences and wrote in various supports, including UNESCO's books INTERNET SOCIETY's Journals, and EUROPEAN UNION's technical reports. Most of it can be accessed on line: http://www.funredes.org.

Daniel Pimienta answers e.mail sent to: [email protected].