83% of the world population does not have access to Internet. Therefore there is a need for a simple and affordable interaction technology that can enable easy content creation and dissemination for this population. In this paper, we present the design, development and usage pattern of a VoiKiosk system that provides a voice-based kiosk solution for people in rural areas. This system is accessible by phone and thus meets the affordability and low literacy requirements. We present usability results gathered from usage by more than 900 villagers during four month of the on-field deployment of the system.
The on-field experiments suggest the importance of locally created content in their own language for this population. The system provides interesting insights about the manner in which this community can create and manage information. Based on the use of the system in the four months, the VoiKiosk also suggests a mechanism to enable social networking for the rural population.
83% of the world population does not have access to Internet. Therefore there is a need for a simple and affordable interaction technology that can enable easy content creation and dissemination for this population. In this paper, we present the design, development and usage pattern of a VoiKiosk system that provides a voice-based kiosk solution for people in rural areas. This system is accessible by phone and thus meets the affordability and low literacy requirements. We present usability results gathered from usage by more than 900 villagers during four month of the on-field deployment of the system.
The on-field experiments suggest the importance of locally created content in their own language for this population. The system provides interesting insights about the manner in which this community can create and manage information. Based on the use of the system in the four months, the VoiKiosk also suggests a mechanism to enable social networking for the rural population.
ICT4D: VoiKiosk A revolutionary step in bridging the digi-divide
Hi All [ Sheetal Agarwal, Arun Kumar, Amit Anil Nanavati, Nitendra Rajput]
Good day
VoiKiosk is really some thing a revolutionary step to bridge the digital divide more effectively & efficiently. I red about it first time on ZUNIA & IBM India. Article has forced me to follow it and find out those who are actually behind this revolutionary step. And Thanks God finally I find you people and now I am writing you.
I want to let you know a little about my self this could help you in understanding my point of view. I am Muhammad Irfan associated with research & product development [ Commodity & Agribusiness Professional] a part to this we are a group of people who are running the largest Agriculture web portal with more than 7000 subscribers 2100+ active forum members. We are running this product since 2001 [ www.pakissan.com ] with the objective Connecting Agri-Community for better farming. We have strong believe that a digital gadget connected with inter-net can revolutionize the whole rural community. Initially only print paper & radio was there which are only one way of communication then TV came again one way of communication. In late 1990's computer came that can store and forward information and can be accessed at any time providing two way communication but their is a delay in feedback, but later on with the involvement of Telecom sector [ mobile phones] the two way communication become so fast and can be accessed in real time. Now the rural community not only share information, building social networks but also can do trade [e-business] so efficiently & I must say your model is perfect for this. Although I am too working on the same lines since 2003-04 and did many pilot projects here in Pakistan with the name i-van, e-centers, tele-centers & now e-village. If you would like I can share concept papers on the said projects or models. Please feel free if you people want more information, here i just give you a glimpse of what I am doing.
Well, if possible please do share the whole model with me, I will feel happy if there is of any opportunity to deploy VoiKiosk here in Pakistan in collaboration with you or IBM-India. We have a very strong network consist of Farmers, Businessmen, Researchers, Institutes, Rural Social Networks, and Students & General Public over here.
Follow us on FaceBook Now http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=187695289144
Look forward to hear you soon.
With best wishes
Muhammad Irfan Kasana
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