Mobile for development or ICT4D

I attended Mobile technology and Social Change: in Cambridge last night A view from the Global South http://www.meetup.com/Net2Camb/calendar/15018978/   Ken Banks  of Frontline SMS http://www.frontlinesms.com/   was the main speaker Ken has his own blog at http://www.kiwanja.net  in my opinion one of those global good guys but a real pragmatist. He shared many thoughts but the one that struck a chord is if you going to build something for use in developing countries ( tech or non tech I think these principles apply  . Ken Absolutely brilliant insight ! I think a modified version also could be applied for education technology applications but thats my own personal opinion.

• must be obvious to plug together
• if you have to buy stuff it has to be available locally
• Pegging the price or free
• go forth and multiply
• the connection community choose technology that works maybe not the internet
• connect your communities with no filters
• multidisciplinary approach
• thinking appropriately choose what works
• collaboration not comtetion between NGO's
• engage entertain connect
• dont lose sight of the bigger picture 

Met loads of very interesting people all trying to make a difference of which I will blog more later.