January 2010 - change - Mailing Lists

Deadline for Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project is February 1st
by Yaw Anokwa 11 Jan '10

11 Jan '10

*From:* Brittany Hinchliff [mailto:Brittany.Hinchliff@vodafone.com] *Sent:* Monday, January 11, 2010 1:51 PM *To:* Brittany Hinchliff *Subject:* Deadline for Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project is February 1st Hi, This is a reminder that the deadline for submitting an application to the Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project is Monday, February 1st, 2010. The Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project seeks to identify and fund the best innovations using wireless related technology to address critical social issues around the world. Three winners will be selected for awards of $100,000, $200,000, and $300,000.** Additionally, the mHealth Alliance has announced that they will be sponsoring an award worth $50,000 as part of the Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project. mHealth applicants are eligible to win the Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project award, as well as the mHealth Alliance Award, by applying to the Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project. To learn more about the mHealth Alliance Award, go here: http://www.unfoundation.org/global-issues/technology/mhealth-alliance-award… To submit an application, please complete the eligibility questionnaire and then register: http://project.vodafone-us.com/app_questionnaire.html We encourage applicants to submit their applications early to avoid any technical issues and so that they have time to ask questions beforehand. Attached is a press release with more information about the Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project and the mHealth Alliance Award. Please pass this message along to any others you think might be interested. If you have any questions about the Wireless Innovation Project or the process, please do not hesitate to contact me. We look forward to receiving your application. Thank you, Brittany Hinchliff Vodafone Americas Foundation www.vodafone-us.com W: 925 210-3784 F: 925 210-3852 Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project http://project.vodafone-us.com/ <http://vodafoneamericasfoundation.blog.com/><http://twitter.com/VodafoneProject><http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vodafone-Americas-Foundation-Wireless-Innovat…>

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Re: [change] Digital scale / transaction recording device
by James Dailey 10 Jan '10

10 Jan '10

Cory, Let's keep this on the list in case it is interesting for others. The UW Change group includes several people who have spearheaded an Android toolkit that runs on a mobile device. see http://code.google.com/p/open-data-kit/ As to why the Android OS comes up in "development lists" and conversations... I think that the main reason is that Google has positioned it as the next platform for the smartphone /mobile/ tablet covergence world, Its open, meaning it is being offered to any handset manufacturer and has the backing of major content players in the market (esp Google), plus the backing of major network players. This is a killer combo for market acceptance. This contrasts with the Apple iPhone approach, which is only available from Apple, on Apple handsets, and locked to specific carriers and thus not available in many countries. What this leads to is that the Android marketplace follows a very open approach as well - meaning that applications are created and then made available - there is no process like that used by Apple's to control what gets presented to users. This makes it ideal for small software applications to be built rapidly and launched immediately. We do see Microsoft trying to make up ground in this space, and Blackberry cannot be counted out (largest corporate base of smartphone users), but Android has caught the attention of international NGOs. Both Palm OS and Symbian OS on mobile enabled devices have significant followers and continue to be viable, but both currently lack one of the elements for market acceptance I mentioned above. Regards, James On Fri, Jan 8, 2010 at 12:21 AM, Bush, Cory <CBush(a)tns.org> wrote: > Hi James, > > > > Thanks for the detailed set of suggestions. You’ve very right—we are > already in discussions with Costco’s coffee roaster to implement a system > such as this; the trick is that they’re much more likely to pay a per pound > premium for the information coming from this system rather than funding its > development and implementation. > > > > I like the idea of pursuing this with a grocery manufacturer, though think > you’re right that no such device exists—at least not one which hits a > pricepoint needed for rural contexts. Symbol makes some handhelds, but they > are generally US$1000+. Also agree that convergence would be more useful > for the recording/printer device. People will trust a simple digital (US$20 > or so) scale. > > > > One question: I haven’t followed many of the trends in mobile device > development, but have noticed that Android comes up in many peoples’ > thoughts. What’s behind this (sorry for my ignorance). > > > > Thanks again for your help > > > > Cory > > > > *From:* James Dailey [mailto:jamespdailey@gmail.com] > *Sent:* Thursday, January 07, 2010 8:40 PM > *To:* Bush, Cory > *Cc:* change > *Subject:* Re: [change] Digital scale / transaction recording device > > > > Hi Cory - An interesting question and spec. Hopefully, I'm not too off > base with this email. > > In the Seattle area, COSTCO, which sources its coffee from Rwanda, is > potentially a good resource - but you probably already know that. I don't > have a contact, but you might try finding the local COSTCO purchasing rep in > Rwanda and/or send an email to the CEO, Jim Sinegal. > http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/134/special-report-rwanda-rising.html > > > COSTCO would have the kind of corporate relationships to perhaps help with > this type of device sourcing. And $$. > > My guess is that there is nothing quite like what you are describing. > Embedding of data in devices that are wireless network aware is still an > emerging field. > > Rephrasing the question: How could you marry the ODK/ Android-device with > a standard weighing device? > > Setting aside the specific data input device: A grocery equipment manager > (that you might find at COSTCO), would be better able to send you device > specs for a scale. > > My advice would be to keep the devices separate. Get a low cost analog > scale, and have them record the amt on the Android. > > But that's not very technically satisfying... so if you do want to try for > device convergence...most (all?) of the Android phones have a mini-USB port > that I believe the ODK can access for other purposes (external bar code > readers?). So the trick would be in selecting a weighing device (scale) > with a serial data output and then in getting whatever drivers or API > changes would be necessary to make the connection work (non-trivial). > > Under the heading: If you can build a solution for more than one customer, > you have a market, it occurs to me this could also be useful in infant > weighing programs, a part of many public health programs in Africa. So, you > might find common cause around that, ie where the "transaction data of the > coffee bean" is instead date of birth, mother's name, etc. > > Best of luck with this. > > Regards, > James > > On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 1:18 AM, Bush, Cory <CBush(a)tns.org> wrote: > > Greetings all, > > I’m trying to scope a solution for coffee cooperatives here in Rwanda that > will enhance transparency into the sale of coffee at small community-level > collection points, and would appreciate any thoughts / ideas / device > recommendations. Basic requirements would include: > > - A digital scale capable of weighing up to 30kg > > - Ability to capture transaction information including: ID#, price > per kilo, KG delivered, coffee grade, collector ID#, payment type > (cash/bank) > > - Ability to generate a paper receipt > > - Ability to transmit transaction information in real-time if mobile > data network available or store-and-forward batches if data network > unavailable > > - Ability to generate daily/weekly/monthly reconciliation or summary > reports > > - Ideally the scale, transaction device, and printer would be > integrated, but not necessary > > - Device(s) should have low power requirements, and be able to > function for a full day between charges or be powerable via standard > batteries. > > - Device(s) should be rugged enough for use in rural settings > > Thanks in advance for any insight, > > Cory > > Cory Bush > RW Mobile: +250-788-309287 > > RW Office: +250-252-580414 > Skype: corycbush > > > _______________________________________________ > change mailing list > change(a)change.washington.edu > http://changemm.cs.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/change > > > > > -- > James Dailey > MicroEnergy Credits > skype: jdailey > +1 206 234 8435 mobile > -- James Dailey MicroEnergy Credits skype: jdailey +1 206 234 8435 mobile

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Re: [change] The Girl Effect
by Valentin Razmov 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

Related to this topic: This Friday evening on PBS (Channel 9), in the Bill Moyers' Journal (9pm-10pm), the guest will be Greg Mortenson - founder of Central Asia Institute, an organization that for the past decade or so has been building schools for girls (mostly) in underserved regions of rural Afghanistan and Pakistan. Valentin On Wed, Jan 6, 2010 at 4:40 PM, Yaw Anokwa <yanokwa(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Little research has been done to understand how investments in girls >> impact economic growth and the health and well-being of communities. >> This lack of data reveals how pervasively girls have been overlooked. >> For millions of girls across the developing world, there are no >> systems to record their birth, their citizenship, or even their >> identity. >> >> However, the existing research summarized in this fact sheet >> (http://www.girleffect.org/downloads/TheGirlEffect_FactSheet.pdf) or >> this stunning video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIvmE4_KMNw) >> suggests their impact can reach much farther than expected. Find out >> more about The Girl Effect at http://thegirleffect.org. >> _______________________________________________ >> change mailing list >> change(a)change.washington.edu >> http://changemm.cs.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/change >> > >

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£60,000 International Development PhD Studentships for 2010
by Yaw Anokwa 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

LIDC is contributing thousands of pounds towards field costs for five three-year PhD Studentships.The funds will support research projects in a range of innovative and specialised areas including using mobile phones to help monitor infectious disease, analysing sexual behaviour among young women in South Africa, and exploring land and legal issues in post-conflict countries in Africa. They will supplement the five development Studentships, out of a total of 13 Studentships, offered by The Bloomsbury Colleges. Each development project - Studentship plus field costs – is worth more than £60,000. Applications are welcome from students of all nationalities. The deadline for applications is 1 March 2010. http://www.lidc.org.uk/news_detail.php?news_id=78

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Announcing the 2010 Yahoo! Key Scientific Challenges Program
by Yaw Anokwa 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

it's not explicit in this call, but i know the yahoo folks are also interested in ictd. if interested, apply! *From:* Jamie Lockwood [mailto:jamieloc@yahoo-inc.com] *Sent:* Friday, January 08, 2010 7:31 AM *To:* Jamie Lockwood *Subject:* Announcing the 2010 Yahoo! Key Scientific Challenges Program- Coming Soon! <http://www.labs.yahoo.com/ksc>

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Announcing the 2010 Yahoo! Key Scientific Challenges Program- Coming Soon!
by Yaw Anokwa 08 Jan '10

08 Jan '10

it's not explicit in this call, but i know the yahoo folks are also interested in ictd applications of these areas, so if interested, apply! ---------- Forwarded message ---------- *From:* Jamie Lockwood [mailto:jamieloc@yahoo-inc.com] *Sent:* Friday, January 08, 2010 7:31 AM *To:* Jamie Lockwood *Subject:* Announcing the 2010 Yahoo! Key Scientific Challenges Program- Coming Soon! <http://www.labs.yahoo.com/ksc>

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PhD/DBA in Development Informatics (inc. Scholarship Info.) at Univ. Manchester
by Yaw Anokwa 07 Jan '10

07 Jan '10

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Richard Heeks <richard.heeks(a)manchester.ac.uk> Date: Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 15:45 Subject: PhD/DBA in Development Informatics (inc. Scholarship Info.) at Univ. Manchester To: Richard Heeks <mzdssrbh(a)manchester.ac.uk> The Centre for Development Informatics at the University of Manchester is seeking high-quality PhD and DBA candidates to research topics on ICTs/information systems and socio-economic development. Some scholarships are available for those starting in September 2010; deadline dates vary but many require application before end February or end March 2010. Only very high-quality candidates will be considered. We are typically looking for those with a distinction-level Masters degree from an internationally-recognised university in an appropriate topic (which includes but is not limited to information systems, management, or development); good English skills; and a relevant topic for study backed by a proposal that demonstrates an ability to work with academic theory. Candidates may choose to study a PhD, for which they will typically be based in Manchester during much of their study, other than a period of fieldwork in a developing country. Those already in employment may choose the DBA route, taken over a four-or-five-year period and requiring roughly two two-week periods of intensive study/supervision per year in Manchester. (Scholarships are not available for DBA study.) Selected candidates will join the Centre for Development Informatics, the largest academic group working on issues of ICTs in developing countries (http://www.manchester.ac.uk/cdi) CDI will consider any topic related to development informatics although we have particular priorities at present for work on: m-finance; ICTs and small/micro-enterprise; gender implications of ICTs; IS methodologies in developing countries; e-government; ICTs and civil society organisations; ICT policy; and ICT-based offshoring. Further details about application and scholarships can be found at: http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/research/cdi/postgraduate/ Richard Heeks & Brian Nicholson Directors Centre for Development Informatics University of Manchester, UK http://www.manchester.ac.uk/cdi

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Digital scale / transaction recording device
by Bush, Cory 07 Jan '10

07 Jan '10

Greetings all, I'm trying to scope a solution for coffee cooperatives here in Rwanda that will enhance transparency into the sale of coffee at small community-level collection points, and would appreciate any thoughts / ideas / device recommendations. Basic requirements would include: - A digital scale capable of weighing up to 30kg - Ability to capture transaction information including: ID#, price per kilo, KG delivered, coffee grade, collector ID#, payment type (cash/bank) - Ability to generate a paper receipt - Ability to transmit transaction information in real-time if mobile data network available or store-and-forward batches if data network unavailable - Ability to generate daily/weekly/monthly reconciliation or summary reports - Ideally the scale, transaction device, and printer would be integrated, but not necessary - Device(s) should have low power requirements, and be able to function for a full day between charges or be powerable via standard batteries. - Device(s) should be rugged enough for use in rural settings Thanks in advance for any insight, Cory Cory Bush RW Mobile: +250-788-309287 RW Office: +250-252-580414 Skype: corycbush

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Antonio Pizzigati Prize for Software in the Public Interest
by Yaw Anokwa 06 Jan '10

06 Jan '10

The Antonio Pizzigati Prize for Software in the Public Interest, an annual competition begun in 2006, offers a $10,000 award to a software developer who has made, in the spirit of open source computing, an outstanding contribution to the nonprofit world and the ongoing work of social change. Tides Foundation, the host of the prize process, will name the next annual Pizzigati Prize winner early in spring 2010. All applications for the 2010 prize competition must be received by February 1, 2010. http://www.pizzigatiprize.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategor…

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The Girl Effect
by Yaw Anokwa 06 Jan '10

06 Jan '10

Little research has been done to understand how investments in girls impact economic growth and the health and well-being of communities. This lack of data reveals how pervasively girls have been overlooked. For millions of girls across the developing world, there are no systems to record their birth, their citizenship, or even their identity. However, the existing research summarized in this fact sheet (http://www.girleffect.org/downloads/TheGirlEffect_FactSheet.pdf) or this stunning video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIvmE4_KMNw) suggests their impact can reach much farther than expected. Find out more about The Girl Effect at http://thegirleffect.org.

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