[AnimalPak200]

Let me preface this by saying that I think Zuckerberg's efforts to bring free internet to everyone (or bring everyone to free internet?) are a bit misguided.

Think about the first, second or third thing you do when you first connect to the internet: You READ. You read the browser app's name, you read a link/url, you read what's on the page. I imagine about 98% of the internet usage time not spent watching Porn (so about 5% total) involves some reading.

Facebook should be spending the entire program's budget for the first 10 years simply funding literacy programs around the world.

Otherwise, how are those fine folk going to be able to read the email from the Nigerian prince offering them $100M dollars? Just doesn't seem fair.

********
But that's neither here nor there. The program exists (mostly because teaching is tough, glamourless, and not a very profitable endeavor--- and installing networking equipment is a piece of cake in comparison), and you can read about it at internet.org.

As you scroll down you will see a section about "Efficiency":



"Transmitting data�even a text message or a simple web page�requires bandwidth, something that�s scarce in many parts of the world.
Partners will invest in tools and software to improve data compression capabilities and make data networks and services run more efficiently."

Uhh... doesn't that sound very familiar? Sounds like BlackBerry's BIS network would be a perfect fit, no? In fact, I'm willing to bet BlackBerry was popular in these very same areas just a few years ago---when network capacity was even less.

Unfortunately,.. if you continue to scroll down,.. you'll find the "Partners" section, which very predictably:



Does not include BlackBerry... at all.

Why? A bit puzzling considering even the former head of BBM is the product manager for the project.

Thoughts?

Posted via CB10

[Bla1ze]

1) You can take reading lessons online lol.
2) I have no idea why BlackBerry isn't involved and I agree with you, they should be.

[Raestloz]

1) Supporting the infrastructure costs money, something BlackBerry really can't dole out right now.
2) I don't think it'll come with brand exposure, something BlackBerry needs right now, and point 1 doesn't help

Especially because BIS is proprietary

Z10 STL100-1/10.2.1.3442

[AnimalPak200]

1) You can take reading lessons online lol.
2) I have no idea why BlackBerry isn't involved and I agree with you, they should be.

Lol... you can't take reading lessons online if you can't even read your way to them.

It's really difficult to actually put yourself in the place of an illiterate person. I mean,.. the entire world is not made for you... and the Internet most certainly isn't (it's all based on written code and hypertext after all!)

Posted via CB10

[Troy Tiscareno]

Here's the thing, though: the promise of the Internet is HUGE motivation for many illiterate people to learn to read. Without it, many won't bother. Sometimes, the motivation has to come first.

[AnimalPak200]

Here's the thing, though: the promise of the Internet is HUGE motivation for many illiterate people to learn to read. Without it, many won't bother. Sometimes, the motivation has to come first.

I don't think illiterate people are illiterate due to a lack motivation to learn. In fact, most go through great lengths to try to be productive in spite of their disadvantage. It's not like they're lazy,.. these people probably never had access to a decent school, or the luxury of having spare time to learn anything other than what is immediately necessary to feed themselves and survive.

I agree, the internet can facilitate learning,.. but not at the hands of someone that can't even read. The program needs a segment that builds or funds schools that make use of the internet to leverage lessons. You can't just "drop" the internet at the front door and peace out.

Lol

Posted via CB10

[Bla1ze]

Lol... you can't take reading lessons online if you can't even read your way to them.

It's really difficult to actually put yourself in the place of an illiterate person. I mean,.. the entire world is not made for you... and the Internet most certainly isn't (it's all based on written code and hypertext after all!)

Posted via CB10

Haha! I was just joking man. That would be rather impossible without some guidance. A new language, well that's different. Judging from my position, even some people deemed able to read don't anymore these days, which is a shame.

[BCITMike]

Oh god. People learning to read from Facebook and internet forums.

Get them a friggin' school!

Posted via CB10