On "Subject" mention article name and author ECLAC launches new version of Redatam Software Software maximizes population census data;  program can be downloaded free from Internet Spanish version>> Starting today, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) launches a new version of its REDATAM (Recovery of Data for small Areas using Microcomputers) software available to the public. The software makes it easier and faster to handle large data bases, particularly those from population and housing censes. Individuals and institutions interested in the fourth generation of this software, called REDATAM+G4, can download it free from the web page of the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE), located within the ECLAC website (www.eclac.cl/celade/redatam). REDATAM+G4 makes it easier to work with large sets of data from population censes or other sources, providing quick results by user-defined geographic area (ranging from a set of city blocks to a whole country). Using this software, people can quickly obtain frequencies, cross-comparisons and averages for each of the geographic areas. Moreover, it makes it possible to create new variables and show results in graphic form or as issue-oriented maps. Using hierarchically organized data, REDATAM+G4 makes it easier to combine variables from different levels, thus helping to establish population characteristics according to household features or housing type. Similarly, blocks or households can be classified using data for people, which is particularly relevant for both poverty and marketing studies. All these advantages make REDATAM+G4 a useful tool for state bodies (municipal and regional governments, etc.) as well as universities, non-governmental organizations and private firms. Currently, the REDATAM+ software is being used throughout the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, several countries in Africa and Asia, and developed countries. Over 1600 institutions and professionals from some 80 countries are registered users. All versions including the first, which was officially launched in 1978, have been developed and maintained by CELADE. CELADE expect that this new version of REDATAM will contribute to the much broader use of new population and housing censuses produced during the 2000 round. Moreover, REDATAM will soon allow work over the Internet, making it even easier for users to access the information available from countries. Any reproduction in part or whole is strictly forbidden without the authors authorization Up