Spreading Technology

Scott just sent me a neat article from the International Herald Tribune by Mark Lacey about how Google, Microsoft, and other Tech giants are trying to build products for the African market--and make technology available to poorer Africans who only speak their own local language. The article centers around efforts to make Swahili-based products, but also mentions special keyboards adapted for Yoruba and Amharic. There's some hope that these technologies will also help save rare languages from disappearing. The article reminded me of the work of George Gregg, who I hope will write more about his travels soon---he spends time in Africa studying tribal languages with the goal of helping Africans write in their own language. It also reminds me of Geekcorps, which was founded by some friends of Scott's brother, my friend Colin, and which tries to help communities in developing countries by contributing to local IT projects. Scott got the link from TechSoup Stock, which connects nonprofits with technology resources. Three cheers for geeks making a difference!