How Open Source Software and Wireless Networks are Transforming Two Cultures: An Investigation in Urban North America and Rural Africa

  • David Yates
  • Anas Tawileh
Chapter

Abstract

Many people in developed countries take access to information and communication technologies for granted. Such individuals live and work in a well-connected information society with access to digital resources that is almost universal. However, a global analysis of the contemporary information society paints a much more complex picture (Chinn and Fairlie 2007; Fuchs 2009; Yates, Gulati and Weiss 2010).

Keywords

Wireless Network Open Source Software Wireless Mesh Network Digital Divide Digital Resource 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Bibliography

  1. Chinn, M. D. and R. W. Fairlie. 2007. “The Determinants of the Global Digital Divide: A Cross-Country Analysis of Computer and Internet Penetration.” Oxford Economic Papers 59(1): 16–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Fuchs, C. 2009. “The Role of Income Inequality in a Multivariate Cross-National Analysis of the Digital Divide.” Social Science Computer Review 27(1): 41–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Fuchs, C. and E. Horak. 2008. “Africa and the Digital Divide.” Telematics and Information 25(2): 99–116CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  4. Guillén, M. F. and S. L. Suárez. 2005. “Explaining the Global Digital Divide: Economic, Political and Sociological Drivers of Cross-National Internet Use.” Social Forces 84(2): 681–708.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Mossberger, K., C. J. Tolbert and M. Gilbert. 2006. “Race, Place, and Information Technology.” Urban Affairs Review 41(5): 583–620.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  6. NTIA 2000. Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion. Washington, DC: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, US Department of CommerceGoogle Scholar
  7. United Nations. 2001. Human Development Report 2001: Making New Technologies Work for Human Development. New York: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
  8. van Dijk, J. A. G. M. 2006. “Digital Divide Research, Achievements and Shortcomings.” Poetics 34 (4–5): 221–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Yates, D. J., G. J. Gulati and J. W. Weiss. 2010. “Towards Universal Broadband: Understanding the Impact of Policy Initiatives on Broadband Diffusion and Affordability.” Proceedings of the European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS), Pretoria. South Africa.Google Scholar
  10. Yates, D. J., T. McGonagle and A. Tawileh. 2008. “How Open Source Software and Wireless Networks are Transforming Two Cultures: An Investigation in Urban North America and Rural Africa.” International Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society 4(6): 145–57.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© David Yates and Anas Tawileh 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • David Yates
  • Anas Tawileh

There are no affiliations available

Personalised recommendations