USAID Managers Guide to Microcomputers in Development (1983)
▻https://www.ictworks.org/usaid-managers-guide-to-microcomputers-in-development
Une archive étonnante pour ceux et celles qui, comme moi, ont commencé(e)s à travailler en 1983 en Afrique avec des « Micro » (Goupil 3 et 4 !)
In Africa recently, several donor agency personnel, Ministry officials, and one of the authors were discussing development. Inevitably, they talked about microcomputers.
One member of the group mentioned that he was ordering an “Apple II Plus” system to help him write reports. A high-ranking government official commented that foreigners seemed to be crazed by jogging and “microprocessors” – the local term for microcomputers.
The official asked why so many people were purchasing microcomputer systems: was this only another Western fad or was this the beginning of a new microelectronic era?
Indeed, it may be difficult for microcomputer advocates to understand that many people do not share their zeal for electronic equipment. Providing officials with evidence of the utility of microccmputers can be a delicate and difficult task, particularly if there is some feat that people will be put out of work.
Conversely, persuading overly enthusiastic officials of the possible problems of installing computer systems may be an equally arduous undertaking. Thus, donor, contractor, and host-country personnel mus, be involved in the entire decision-making process if microcomputers are to be accepted and appropriately used within their project or institutional settings.
