Week 8 Reading Response- Universal Access

February 13, 2007 ciararose

            I really enjoyed reading this article, aside from the fact that it was very “techy” and at times hard to follow. What I did like was the positive information it yielded in reference to 3^rd World/ developing countries’ potential of having the ability to get online. This article made me realize that our world is in fact much closer to having everyone be able to use the internet than I had previously imagined. Michael Best talked a lot about 802.16 standard and corDECT as possibilities to provide wireless access. The key features of these are that they happen to be very cost effective. I think cost is a huge factor when discussing poorer countries getting the internet; they simply could not do it if it was above a certain price. I was also excited to learn about how technology manufactures are trying to get around the problem of PC’s being expensive by introducing ‘stripped down PC’s’ and hand held devices which are easier to use and require less electrical power. These solutions are much more realistic than providing all of the countries with expensive software and hardware like we have here in the US and
Europe.

            It is clear from the article that there are many positive effects from spreading the accessibility of the internet. But I think the positive effects with go far beyond what can be forecasted. Having the ability to get online could help people in a multitude of ways. Think of it in terms of women’s rights. Women in countries where it is acceptable for their husbands to abuse them would be able to get online, share their experiences and possibly get help. They could also see that this is NOT an acceptable practice and it could lead to informed movements. Also it could give small communities to ability to voice their distress and a way to reach out for help. If a community is suffering from any ailment they could get online and bring attention to their problem. It would be a great way for poor people’s quality of life to be elevated. Once again I really enjoyed this article and was pleasantly surprised by how close we are to allowing universal access.

 

Questions:

 

1. By when, if ever, would you predict all countries will have wide-spread access to the internet and ‘universal access’ will be accomplished?
2. Do you think having the internet is really as ‘essential’ to developing countries as this article leads you to believe? Why or why not?
3. What could be some negative repercussions of having ‘the whole world’ online? Are there any?

Entry Filed under: Reading Responses

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