Ken Banks from the crowdsourcing mobile project FrontlineSMS has a sharp pitch tying the ends of mobile developments in Africa with Chris Andersons “The Long Tail” – which has been the talk of town in management circles since 2006. Ken Banks points out the obvious that big technology platforms are heavy, inflexible and generally unable to adapt the needs of activists locally:
Refreshing how Banks write of Internet as almost the starting premisses. Banks focus on sustainability embrace open source technology and a no nonsense approach to social change, which emphasize pluralism in solutions. The logic is simple: the more people using FrontlineSMS the better. Take it and run with it!
Great link, Anders, really fascinating what he achieved with this simple and brilliant system…