Information Technology (IT) comprising of Computers, Communications and Storage Technology has been growing at a phenomenal rate in the recent times. The IT is also influencing every segment of day-to-day life.

The Hindu, through its news and features has been keeping its readers informed on the developments, applications, related impact and policies of IT. The advances in IT are fast and rapid and significant especially during the past few years. We had carried over 2000 items relating to this subject. This compilation of 140 items of news and features which appeared in the pages of The Hindu are the pick of the lot. They have been presented for ease of study and reference in five sections namely:

• IT: Impact, Implementation and Maintenance
• IT: Developments in Technology
• IT: Communication Facilities
• IT: Applications
• IT: Databases, Information Sources and Services

The collection is not meant to project the historical perspective and the technical development of the subject, but to highlight the need for Information Technology in the social development. In dealing with applications, the emphasis has been more on unconventional areas.

The services rendered by Mr. M.P. Govindaraj, Chief Librarian, Mr. H.R. Mohan, Systems Manager and their colleagues in the compilation of this publication need special mention and we are thankful to them. Our thanks are also due to the printers - Parakkat Venus Press, Madras.

We are happy to release this publication on the occasion of the First International Conference on Database Production and Distribution - INFOTEX '93 at Bangalore which conforms with our aim of dissemination of Information to and for the development of the Society. An exclusive section on Databases, Information Storage and Retrieval has also been included to befit the occasion.

With rapid developments in IT, the future looks brighter and we hope this publication would enlighten and guide our Information Scientists to chart out their course of action on proper lines.

NOVEMBER	N. RAVI
1993	EDITOR