Here's an interesting question: how do you bring the power of information from the internet to communities that lack access to the internet? Obstructions include infrastructure: power availability may fluctuate, and there are no internet service providers in the area. Affordability may be an issue. People may not be computer-literate – or even literate.
One nonprofit, Open Mind, led by Rose Shuman, is experimenting with bridging this information gap through the Question Box Project. A Question Box is a telephone intercom located in a common accessible area, like in the center of a village next to the shop. Pressing the green button on the intercom connects a person with an operator who knows English and the local language. Equipped with an internet connection, the operator can answer questions such as "cricket scores, paddy farming advice, codes to download songs on their mobiles, homework questions, University exam results, train schedules, commodity prices, and where to get a personal loan". Solar-powered Question Boxes can operate in the poorer places where power lines don't run.
As of January, 2009, 2 question boxes were in operation in greater Pune, India. There is also a pilot project in Uganda, where instead of a physical box people can call in via ubiquitous cell phones and ask operators questions.
Other coverage:
From BoingBoing, by Cory Doctorow, 2008.03.04 Tue
From ABC News, by Ned Potter, 2008.03.05 Wed
From The Telegraph, by Peter Lyle, 2008.03.30 Sun
From Indian Express, by Devjani Roy, 2009.01.05 Mon
From Doomsday Labs, 2009.01.28 Wed
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