The world is alive to the environmental issues as never before.  There is palpable concern everywhere about the spectre of environmental crisis.  Though governments and many independent sector organisations have been making efforts for sustainable development their  efforts have been slowed down due to lack of timely, reliable and useful information.  As a result very often decision making is based on inaccurate or partial information.

Having been aware of the information scenario in our country, we at Development Alternatives have taken the leadership role to bridge this information gap by setting up an independent information unit, DAINET.  DAINET would make relevant information available fast and in a user friendly form for sustainable development efforts.  It would  facilitate the independent sector organisations to have access to information both on line and off-line by adopting the latest advances in information and telecommunication technology.

Services Currently Offered by DAINET

i	Electronic mail	iv	Database
ii	File transfer	v	GIS facilities
iii	Conferencing

Electronic Mail

With DAINET’s e-mail facility,  users can exchange messages and files with e-mail users anywhere in the world.  The off-line nature of this communication technology adopted by DAINET is well suited for Indian conditions where line quality is poor.  All mail composition work is done without engaging the phone line which is only used for mail transfer to and from the server.  The actual connect time for an average mail transfer (about 10kb) is less than half a minute which makes this system economical even for users dialing on STD lines.

File Transfer

Users can exchange binary files e.g. files created using MS-Word, Pagemaker, Lotus, dBase etc.

Conferencing

A series of conferences on common topics of interest can be created and accessed by user groups within the network.  As part of a conference a user can access and post recent changes to it.  They can also access Usenet new groups which are available on Internet.

Database 

An important data base in the pipeline i.e. the GREEN  PAGES, which would provide  a wide area of information on organisations working on sustainable development issues and information on funding agencies and their schemes both national and international.

Geographic Information System

The GIS facility is aimed at addressing the needs of the NGOs community.  The areas where it can provide immediate services is in environmental management in the form of :

q	resource atlases for integrated  development planning.
q	environmental issue maps e.g. soil erosion, waste lands, ground water, flooding, deforestation etc.
q	selection of locations/ regions for setting up appropriate technology centres,
q	selection of rehabilitation centres e.g. in mining areas,
q	EIA/EMP support information for industrial locations, mining etc.

Areas DAINET Can Help :

Apart form providing information DAINET can also help in :

Business Service	:	DAINET opens new avenues for business opportunities to professional, consultation, publishing, marketing and other service organisations.
Sales and Marketing	:	By posting advertisements, sales brochures and product catalogues the network, users can reach an enormous number of people across the globe.
Client Servicing	:	With DAINET even the grass root organisations can keep in touch with their counterparts across the globe without exchanging international phone calls.
Research	:	As well as providing data on various subjects, DAINET is an invaluable source of information for the researchers, consultants and other professionals in the development field.

How to connect to DAINET

To get connected to DAINET a user would require the following hardware :

1.	a telephone line (non-dedicated)
2.	a personal computer (non-dedicated)
3.	a modem (non-dedicated).

 In addition, DAINET will provide with a communication software package.

Technical support would be made available for installation and training.

The Cost :

DAINET is cheaper than all comparable alternatives.  With only Rs. 1000 as registration (non refundable) and Rs. 2000 as annual subscription, users can transfer upto 18 MB of national and international data.

Why Donation to DAINET E-MAIL

q	fast and reliable
q	operates twenty-four hours a day seven days a week
q	provides easy access at the lowest cost compatible with a first class service
q	supported by a team of dedicated professionals
q	supported by a team of dedicated professionals

For further enquiries please contact : Information Unit of Devleopment Alternatives.

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