- From: Bill Gillis <bill@efrsource.com>
- Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:08:21 -0700
- To: public-mw4d@w3.org
- Cc: "Matthew Mitchell EFRS" <mmlmitchell@gmail.com>, "Robert B. Textor" <robertbtextor@comcast.net>
- Message-ID: <6740dcda0806190708i7d9fdf1bgfd1d0b92b23b6ee0@mail.gmail.com>
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 - 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
Received on Thursday, 19 June 2008 23:49:22 UTC