Ken Novak: Digital DevelopmentCommunications and info tech in developing countries, especially wireless broadband and high-value applications(Untitled)- August 15, 2004 Microsoft OS for third world: "Microsoft is set to roll-out a 'no-frills', low-cost version of its Windows XP operating system for third world markets. The new OS, Windows XP Starter Edition, offers lower-resolution graphics and restricts the ability to connect computers via a network. Also, the OS can only run three programmes at any one time. The stripped-down edition of the operating system is an attempt to undercut the spread of Linux in developing countries." ..http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/15.html#a2287 (Untitled)- August 15, 2004 (Almost) Instant Cash Transfer with Mobile Phones: "last week Philippines' largest mobile phone company, Smart Communications, launched a cash transfer service that uses text messaging to speed up the process. Overseas workers still have to go to the bank to initiate the transfer, but the recipients in the Philippines get a text message on their phone notifying them that they have immediate access to the cash, which is stored in their phone's "electronic wallet," a feature included in all 16...http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/15.html#a2281 (Untitled)- August 9, 2004 e-business and development: Information about several efforts in developing countries to use online catalogs and orders, information and travel services, and money transfers. Includes links to appropriate technology suppliers in this area.http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/09.html#a2252 (Untitled)- August 9, 2004 The FIVIMS Programme: "Poverty Mapping is a joint initiative by FAO, UNEP and the CGIAR consisting of a network of institutions dedicated to: analyse and map the spatial distribution of poverty, produce and promote the use of poverty maps and shows linkages between poverty and food insecurity, the environment and development and to promote the use of poverty maps in policy making and targeting assistance. The initative has been funded as a thee-year project throught he Government of...http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/09.html#a2248 (Untitled)- August 9, 2004 New Solar Tent Prototypes for US Army (June 16, 2004): "Iowa Thin Film Technologies, Inc., has completed the development of integrated solar technology for three Army tent prototypes. The tents integrate the company's PowerFilm&174; flexible solar panels directly with the tent fabric. Iowa Thin Film Technologies says that it is the only company in the world that has developed this fabric integration solar technology." Could be equally useful during disasters or in refugee...http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/08.html#a2242 (Untitled)- August 6, 2004 China backs Nigeria rural comms: "In the bid to provide cheap telephone services to rural communities, the Federal Government yesterday launched a rural telephony programme for the country for which it plans to spend $200 million (about N26.6 billion) in the next few years. The money is a loan package granted by the Chinese Government while the Federal Government will provide a counterpart funding of N2.8 billion... The rural telephony programme will be delivered in three projects spread..http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/06.html#a2236 (Untitled)- August 6, 2004 Zimbabwe prepares Internet controls: "The Zimbabwe government is planning to acquire high-tech equipment from China for the purpose of bugging the internet. This is to enable it to interfere with the flow of information it considers subversive as well as the operations of independent internet based media outlets. Authoritative sources within Posts and Telecommunications (PTC) and government circles revealed that the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) is already looking into...http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/06.html#a2235 (Untitled)- August 6, 2004 WRI Conference: Eradicating Poverty through Profit: Dec 12-14, 2004, San Francisco. Program lists presenters and tracks on Connectivity, Energy and Agriculture, among other topics.http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/06.html#a2234 (Untitled)- August 4, 2004 LeapFrog donating 20,000 books to Afghan women to learn basic health lessons in own languages: "Twenty-thousand interactive women's health books, built with the LeapPad learning system technology of LeapFrog Enterprises, are en route to Afghanistan to help teach basic health care lessons .. The recipients are Afghan women, 80 percent of whom are illiterate .. They will also begin to learn to read using the device, just as many children have. The popular technology-based learning...http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/04.html#a2220 (Untitled)- August 3, 2004 Dialogue with the Grassroots: A collaborative project between Mountain Forum and Radio Sagarmatha in Nepal. Interesting model of collaboration between an international NGO and community broadcasters to develop and deliver audio content in local languages. The Mountain Forum is an interesting collection of people and institutions with many moderated email distribution lists.http://www.novak.com/weblog/categories/digitalDevelopment/2004/08/03.html#a2213 |