vocalpress overview
DESCRIPTION
voices of the billion - fostering participatory informed communities WordPress + FreedomFone + Community = VocalPress http://vocalpress.orgTRANSCRIPT
VocalPress voices of the billion
VocalPress.org
VocalPressVocalPress.org
Inform, engage and empower communities
VocalPress aims to serve information needs of the bottom
billion via interactive voice interface.
Photo: poiphotography @ flickr
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Voice is the lowest common denominator for communication
If it is a phone, it can VocalPress!
Photo: juju2nantes @ flickr
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Why is interactive voice the ONE for the bottom billion?• As ubiquitous as sms• As cheap as sms• Rich information• 1 sms < 1 min. of voice
• Low language barrier• Low literacy• Works with any phone
Photo: kiwanja @ flickr
VocalPressVocalPress.org
VocalPress is a mash-up of two proven solutions for social good
• #1 blogging tool• Huge developer and
user communities• Various ways of
using WordPress
• 20 months of development
• Numbers of successful deployment
Refer to http://VocalPress.org for details of implementation
VocalPressVocalPress.org
VocalPress enables easy voice-based network setup• 1 step deployment; out of the
box• Just get a SIM card for local
number • (GSM SIP)
• Or get a VoIP with local number
• Then connect to the cloud• Managed VocalPress on the
cloud• VoIP stack & WordPress
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Fostering participatory informed communities• VocalPress information networks are
initiated and championed by community-based organizations and community leaders
• Community best understands its own needs
Photo: nygus @ flickr
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Community-driven distribution model
Community Initiation and ParticipationCommunity members, leaders, volunteers, -based organizations
(CBOs)
Voice-based Information NetworksInforming, Engaging and Empowering Communities
VocalPressManaged or Self-hosted Cloud
Stack
Funding and RevenueSubscriptions, Ads, Contributions,
Grants
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What can VocalPress do?
Literally, anything WordPress can do• VocalPress is a voice interface for
WordPress
Specifically, 3 use cases are focused1. Twitter-like voice network2. Quora-like Q&A network3. Voice-based citizen reporting platform
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VocalPress & the long tail of information needs• #hashtags – topical networks of
information• i.e: network for entrepreneurial women or
workersRadio One-way
Synchronous
National level, large scale
Community Radio
Semi one-way
Synchronous
Community level
Geographical constraint
VocalPress Many-to-many
Synchronous & asynchronous
Topical level – ranges from community level to national level
No geographical constraint
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Use case #1: voices of a successful woman entrepreneur• A successful woman entrepreneur selling
drinks at a local market can call in to share about her business, ideas and children’s education (she may be sponsored)
• Her followers will be then sent sms to inform about a new update – then they call in to listen new updates
Photo: tsirol @ flickr
VocalPressVocalPress.org
Use case #2: Q&A network for migrant workers• Migrant workers can post questions about fair
salary, worker rights, job opportunities by calling in
• The questions will then be saved in the web database for volunteers and social workers to process
• Once an answered has been recorded, the asker will be informed via sms to call in to listen the answer
Photo: nygus @ flickr
VocalPressVocalPress.org
Use case #3: citizens reporting about their communities• News publishers or radio stations could make
a hotline for people to call into report about their communities
• Moderators then can process and transcribe recorded voice messages to be posted or broadcasted
• Reporting could cover progress of government projects
Photo: nygus @ flickr
VocalPressVocalPress.org
When & Where?
Pilot Deployment: Mae Sot, Chiang Mai, ThailandTarget Communities: Migrant Workers
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),
RefugeesPotential Partners: Mae Tao Clinic,
Yaung Chi Oo Workers Association
Prototype, Alpha
Design and
CodingBeta
Pilot Deployme
ntVersion 1
June ‘11 Aug ‘11 Nov ‘11 July ‘12 June ‘12