Contextualized software, cost of download

Dear Colleagues,

Enjoyed meeting and speaking with many of you in Brazil.

Thought you might have interest in article found at link below:

http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2008/06/17/bridging-the-african-digital-divide
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In our discussions there has not been much said about the cost of downloads,
but my perception is that this indeed is an issue for many in the developing
world who utilize PCs.  I like the kiosk idea described in this article
where individuals can go to a central location and download software onto a
CD so they are not relying on expensive access time to download desired
software.   I can certainly envision an Optimistic future where "developing
world" research institutions actively create multiple innovative open source
software solutions for mobile browsers and applications that are culturally
appropriate within each region's particular context.  A challenge to
implementation, should this reality emerge, will be the cost for users of
downloading that software onto their phones.  The kiosk to dispense open
source software, is an interesting one.

As I listen to the on-the-ground stories, it does appear to me that
somewhere in the mix of solutions needs to be more "home-grown" web browser
and mobile web application software developed within the cultural context of
the developing world.  At the moment, we often are trying to modify software
that was developed for a very different context to realities that
are present in developing countries. In some ways, efforts to leverage SMS
capability already available on many mobile phones  is a good example of
that.  It works to meet a local need, but it is a pragmatic solution,
modifying in innovative ways a software solution developed for a different
context and purpose.  I do not suggest this is a bad idea, but probably in
the longer term, not the best approach to optimizing the possibilities of
the mobile web.

The business question that appropriately is asked by the software developers
who are in the business of creating software for mobile devices is: "would
there be a market if they were to go to the expense of substantially
modifying their software to the multiple developing world contexts?".  Since
there is indeed not just one developing world context, but rather
many nuanced differences among regions of the world, the business problem is
even greater.  I do not mean this in a critical light.  This is the
appropriate question for somebody in the business to ask before going down
that path.  It does, however, remind me of my own experience in the higher
education world.  In that previous role, I had many conversations with US
university administrators who wanted to determine if there is enough
"market" to translate curriculum developed for US audiences into multiple
languages and delivered via distance education to the developing world.
This has proven to not be the right focused question to ask, as in general
the context of the curriculum developed for US audiences, often is not what
is needed in developing countries. Relevance requires much more than
language translation and minor tweaks.  What does appear to be successful is
when university faculty within "developing countries" establish
relationships and draw on expertise from the "developed countries", but in
the end build the curriculum from the "bottom-up" within their own context.
I was interested in what Fisseha Mekuria has been doing in Uganda for
example.  Seems to be working.

We may need to see more of this "home-grown" approach from the software
development side to create browser technologies and mobile web applications
that meet the needs of the developing world.  Once developed, however, there
remains the issue of widespread dissemination to mobile devices.  Perhaps
the kiosk idea is one to consider as one small but useful component of an
Optimistic future with expanded MW4D.  Would be interested to here from
others on this list their thoughts.

cheers,

Bill Gillis, Co-founder
EFRsource Inc.
+1 509-432-4243
bill@efrsource.com
http://www.efrsource.com