ICT4Dev

Beyond ICT4D: New Media Research in Uganda

Posted by EKStallings on Dec 19, 2011
Beyond ICT4D: New Media Research in Uganda data sheet 1471 Views
Author: 
Balunywa , Ali, Guido van Diepen, Wouter Dijkstra, Kai Henriquez, Ben White
ISSN/ISBN Number: 
9789081
Publication Date: 
Jan 2011
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Abstract: 

 This paper is a collection of five ethnographic reports examining the role of ICT in Uganda. The first is not particulalrly mobile focused and looks at how those who have access to internet in Uganda use it. The second report is about the ways ICT is changing print media. The third report focuses on the the opportunities ICT present for civil society and non-governmental groups. The next report outlines the way the ICT sector in Uganda was developed. The last report examines ways that ICT may be used in government accountability.

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Strengthening Rural Livelihoods: The impact of Information and Communication Technologies in Asia

Posted by admin on Aug 10, 2011
Strengthening Rural Livelihoods: The impact of Information and Communication Technologies in Asia data sheet 1642 Views
Author: 
Grimshaw and Kala (eds.)
ISSN/ISBN Number: 
2147483647
Publication Date: 
Mar 2011
Publication Type: 
Other
Abstract: 

Enthusiasm amongst international development agencies about harnessing the potential of Information and communications technologies (ICTs) for development has waned as observers have recently questioned the Impact and sustainability of such interventions. By presenting the findings of research specifically designed to measure Impact on livelihoods, Strengthening Rural Livelihoods offers new evidence for the development benefits of ICTs.

 

The book presents an overview of SIX research projects within the 'Knowledge Networking for Rural Development In Asia Pacific' (ENRAP) research programme. It asks if ICTs enabled farmers to sell beyond local markets and at better prices, and whether there have been social gains in linking geographically disparate households and social networks.

 

Using a control trial approach In four out of the SIX project case studies, and critically assessing the pros and cons of this methodology including the ethical Implications, the authors have provided significant new Insights Into how to overcome the challenges of mainstreaming lCTs Into rural livelihoods and more effectively measuring its effects. This book will appeal to academics, civil society organizations, practitioners and students who are Interested In what works and what doesn't work when applying ICTs to rural livelihoods.


After Access - Challenges Facing Mobile-only Internet Users in the Developing World

Posted by MohiniBhavsar on Jul 06, 2010
After Access - Challenges Facing Mobile-only Internet Users in the Developing World data sheet 2639 Views
Author: 
Gitau, Shikoh, Marsden, Gary, & Donner, Jonathan
Publication Date: 
Apr 2010
Publication Type: 
Journal article
Abstract: 

This study reports results of an ethnographic action research study, exploring mobile-centric internet use. Over the course of 13 weeks, eight women, each a member of a livelihoods collective in urban Cape Town, South Africa, received training to make use of the data (internet) features on the phones they already owned. None of the women had previous exposure to PCs or the internet. Activities focused on social networking, entertainment, information search, and, in particular, job searches. Results of the exercise reveal both the promise of, and barriers to, mobile internet use by a potentially large community of first-time, mobilecentric users. Discussion focuses on the importance of selfexpression and identity management in the refinement of online and offline presences, and considers these forces relative to issues of gender and socioeconomic status.


CellBazaar: A SMS Marketplace in Bangladesh

Posted by CorinneRamey on Apr 28, 2008

Imagine you're in Bangladesh and you want to buy a cow. You pull your mobile phone out of your pocket and start sending text messages to 3838, the shortcode for CellBazaar, a mobile phone marketplace which some have called the "Craigslist of Bangladesh." You look through the relevant ads and look at the ages, locations, and number of teeth of the 187 cows that are currently for sale. After another SMS, you are connected with the phone number of the the seller, ready to make your new purchase. What could have taken days to coordinate was made easy by a series of simple text messages.

Kamal Quadir, the founder of CellBazaar, sat down with MobileActive for an interview. Quadir said that he first got the idea for CellBazaar when he was a graduate student at MIT. "I was surrounded by technologically sophisticated people," said Quadir, who is originally from Bangladesh.