As per the announcement [0] there are a number of advanced funding projects in research areas mainly centred on 'intelligent systems', such as NGNi, Next Generation Networked Information. Here's a few thoughts to get the ball rolling on a discussion about how we could apply.
NGN is also the term used in the telecommunications industry, again meaning Next Generation Network [1], referring to the future state of how their core systems are being developed. It mainly describes standardising on one rather than many network protocols, IP (Internet Protocol), so that equally all services that run on top are similarly standardised, e.g. VoIP (Voice over IP). The most prominent example is BT's 21CN program [2]. It's a cool area and I'll go into it in more detail in follow on posts.
The main aspect that motives me is the overall goal of Social Enterprise. In the introduction for the Human-Centred Computing project they state the goal of developing new research in these areas is for "especially those that have the potential to transform learning and discovery and enhance quality of life and economic prosperity for all people".
So, what research can be conducted, what potential does FOSS [2] offer, for tackling what can sometimes seem like an insurmountable problem?
We can kick things off by starting to define what the problem looks like from some different angles..
Industrial poverty and the Digital Divide
We often think of areas like Africa when talking about poverty but of course many people including me would be able to get in their car and within ten or twenty minutes find themselves in areas of "industrial poverty"; poor living conditions experienced within industrialised nations, and often caused directly by the industrial age.
I'm certainly not dismissing what could therefore be thought of as "agricultural poverty", the brutal state of no basic amenties like food and water, just that there is lots of it and it all needs tackled.
As well as looking industrial [3], poverty in westernised countries can be attributed to the ongoing demise of the Industrial Age. For example where I live, Larkhall [4] in Scotland, there's a story that is probably quite universal. Up until a few years ago there was a single main employer, a large factory, that was closed down and as a result things got kinda grim. No alternative growth industry has replaced it, and so the ongoing trend of globalisation is combining with the fact the economy is moving entirely online and having this kind of result.
The growing Digital Divide is that of course those less well off can't afford computers or have easy access to support and training, and so the better off are using these tools very effectively and getting smarter and richer.
Of course the beauty is that the solution is also in the problem, in that therefore the main exercise is simply to ensure that every one can get these tools, and be helped on how to use them and the Internet, for e-learning, work and other similar purposes. It is a giant, global marketplace and being helped to connect is the process of being 'given a fishing rod to fish'.
Industrialising knowledge workflow
There are also other application areas where technology can help, via "industrialising knowledge workflow".
Ok that's buzzword bingo [5] I know, but one of the challenging aspects of the research opportunities is that they are similarly, erm, enthusiastic and of the approach 'why use one word when ten will do', so when in Rome... :-)
I was particularly keen to use the term of industrialising given the previous point about this type of poverty because I think it's also a potential solution to the problem. An example of knowledge workflow is an insurance claim, you have to fill in a form and it is then examined by different people and a decision made. The more effective and cost-efficiently they can be implemented the more profit a commercial business will make, or how well a local council might provide public services.
A big part of industrial poverty is your reliance on government social services, a big part of which is dealing with this kind of workflow. There's a huge application form for absolutely everything, and so efficiencies in this area would not only help the government save lots of money (which can be better used), it would make the experience for the consumer so much more helpful.
Growing Social Enterprise
Other areas more directly specific to Social Enterprise can be identified too. One key goal to aim for is to help start many more Social Enterprise ventures, and there are organisations such as the Big Lottery [6] set up to provide funding in the UK. Of course one of the hurdles that can be too high for low-income groups to get across is that you need to fill in a business plan application form! So you see where I'm going with my anti-bureaucracy crusade...
Like their commercial equivalents, for example the Microsoft BPIO program [7], certain types of open source software can be used to automate and streamline these processes. You can even apply management programs to improve efficiencies that originated from improving factory operations, such as Six Sigma [8] and The Theory of Constraints [9], hence the concept of industrialisation.
I found the Semantic Wiki example [9] exciting because it showed you don't need complex software to enable complex systems, indeed highlighted the golden point that actually simple software is better.
There are many other types of software too I'm sure, and an equally large number of different areas where they could be applied, such as healthcare or education, so feel free to add to this thread or start your own. I'll be happy to help get some projects moved along for these research projects.
Cheers, Neil.