Bridges.org and HP Donating iPAQs to South African Organizations

[marlof]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/computing/2004/0410290659.asp?A=SCR&S=Social%20Responsibility&O=FPT' target='_blank'>http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/com...nsibility&O=FPT</a><br /><br /></div>According to their website, the mission of <a href="http://www.bridges.org/about/index.html">Bridges.org</a> is to "<i>to promote the effective use of information and communications technology (ICT) in developing countries to improve people's lives. We work at the policy level -- by promoting policies and laws that foster widespread ICT use -- and at the grassroots level -- to help people understand ICT and its practical utility.</i>". Recently they have had a <a href="http://www.bridges.org/ipaq_competition/">competition</a> to "<i>support innovative ground level initiatives in South Africa that want to use handheld devices (handhelds) to improve people's lives. A total of 120 Hewlett Packard H4150 iPAQs will be given to up to ten winning organisations that demonstrate a clear strategy to harness the power of handhelds for social or economic development. The devices were donated by Hewlett Packard (HP) after being used by delegates at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos earlier this year. Bridges.org is looking for projects that use handhelds to fulfil local needs in local ways. Winners will be used as case study examples to illustrate how these devices can open the door for Africans to gain the benefits offered by ICT.</i>". And on October 29, six winners were <a href="http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/computing/2004/0410290659.asp?A=SCR&S=Social%20Responsibility&O=FPT">announced</a>. The winners that were selected by the jury will apply the iPAQs in medical environments, to be used in teaching and in the crop-breeding industry. Kudos to HP for donating the iPAQs that were used in the high profiled Davos meeting, and to Bridges.org to make sure these iPAQs will be put to good use in a needing environment.

[Darius Wey]

It's great to see the use of handhelds being streamlined into the medical and education industry. It really opens many windows of opportunities in these environments. :way to go:

[Stik]

It's great to see the use of handhelds being streamlined into the medical and education industry. It really opens many windows of opportunities in these environments. :way to go:

I couldn't agree more. The story touched me knowing that the PPC is being instituted to make life better for those in need. I would think that there are many more stories like this out there that we've never heard of.

It's also stories like this that convince me that PPC's are far from dead. On the contrary, PPC's are a tool that play a role in making peoples lives better in these and many other circumstances.

On another note, I went to 2 polling places this morning to vote. No, I didn't vote twice, just a mixup on the right place to go. :oops:

Anyway, at both places, the 'poll watchers' were using iPAQ 2210's to input information. 8) Now if only...nah... better not go there. :mrgreen:

[Stik]

It's also stories like this that convince me that PPC's are far from dead. On the contrary, PPC's are a tool that play a role in making peoples lives better in these and many other circumstances.

Heres another fine example of PPC's being put thru their paces to help make peoples lives better...

Mobile mapping teaches students social planning

Using GIS technology, students create maps to analyze the residential quality of neighborhoods

Students in the Planning, Public Policy and Management department are working with the West University neighborhood to compile demographics and other information to improve the neighborhood. Professor Marc Schlossberg said the program, in its first year using mobile mapping technology, is unique in the nation.

http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/11/05/418b3bcea28db