Behind the Scenes

This chapter describes how the global Landscape Study was designed and carried out. The Landscape Study informs all the findings and results presented in this volume. The authors describe here the criteria for the country selection and selection of local research partners in each country, the procedures and instruments for data collection, the way we analyzed the data, and some of the limitations of the study.

Success Factors for Public Access Computing

Throughout this book, we have detailed the profile of a public access venue user, discussed the role of venue staff in public access venues, identified the critical role that trust plays in use of public access venues, and demonstrated some barriers to use of venues, as well as explored how gender is situated in the ICT world. In this chapter, we will explore and seek to answer the question: what are the common factors that contribute to the success of public access ICT centers, especially in underserved communities?

How do Public Access Venues Meet Information Needs in Underserved Communities?

User information needs vary by geographic location as well as by economic and social standing, among other factors. These factors drive the format, content, currency, and language in which information is produced and presented. Information needs of users of ICT in public access venues are satisfied in a variety of manners. The question arises as to how public access venues determine information needs in a community, and how best to satisfy those needs. There is no lack of information. What needs to be established is where do people presently get information, and if ICT can help to service their needs in a better way. In this chapter, we consider what types of information users need, and what they seek when they go to public access venues to use ICT.