WEB 2.0 TOOLS AND GOOGLE APPLICATIONS

There are many people out there who want to use ICT tools but are very much scared due to their perception that these tools are very expensive to acquire and use. It was to dispel this wrong notion that the March edition of the Northern ICT4D series decided to examine the use of Web 2.0 technologies and Google applications to equip participants with the knowledge on how to acquire and use these applications.

Welcoming participants, the Director of Savana Signatures, Mr. Stephen Agbenyo, explained to participants that the Northern ICT4D Forum was a monthly one organized by GINKS through Savana Signatures. He stated that the essence basically aimed at creating a platform for knowledge sharing and equipping the general public with relevant knowledge of ICT tools and their applications for the total development of Ghana. He emphasized that the March edition has been allocated to the Northern Ghana ICT Innovators Group whose membership form a core of the Tamale branch of the Google Technology User Group (GTUG) to share their knowledge on web 2.0 technologies and the use of some Google applications.

Making a presentation on web 2.0 technologies, Mr. William Nsiah-Asare, a member of Northern Ghana ICT Innovators Group and Google Technology User explained that Google applications are not only readily available but also free for all to use. He preceded his presentation with a short video on Google docs, Google maps and Google alert. He explained that “Web 2.0" is a second generation of web development and web design, characterized by facilitating communication, information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design and collaboration on the World Wide Web. He stated that web 2.0 has Programs and services that allow new ways of using the internet which include allowing users to contribute content, edit WebPages, add comments, upload documents, images or videos and even add content to their personal websites. He emphasised that web 2.0 is a much potential tool for rural development since it allows many people to share information and pictures, collaborate on documents such as reports, spreadsheets, and presentations and comment on activities. He further identified income generation, advertising, free Online Training, increased access  to relevant and up-to-date content, establishment of communities of Practice as well as remote collaboration and Networking as the other benefits of using google applications. The issue of concern, he mentioned, included intellectual Property Rights – Copyrights, Data Ownership and Quality Assurance Reliability. He added that, users of google could also create their own blogs where they can upload text, images and videos easily.

When he took his turn, Mr. Ken Kubuga, a member of both GTUG and the Northern Ghana ICT Innovators Group also made a presentation on Google maps and how it can be useful in locating sign posts and landmarks in our search for places. He explained how Google maps can help in giving very accurate descriptions and directions to places as well as the distance and time it will take one to get to a particular location or place either on foot, by bike or by car. He went on to explain that as many important features in our environments and society as possible can be mapped. He emphasized that Google maps can help in not just free advertisement of products and services, but is also a clear way of reducing poverty which is endemic in Africa and Ghana in particular.

On how to use Google SMS, Mr. Agbenyo Stephen gave a demonstration on google SMS. He said Gmail Chat is a feature that allows Gmail users to send SMS messages to their contacts’ mobile phones using Gmail Chat for free to Airtel, Tigo and MTN. He explained that the google SMS bridges online and mobile communications gaps, bringing a new level of flexibility and mobility to Gmail users.

While most participants expressed pleasant surprise at what Google can do, other participants were very enthused about the google applications and requested that more of such fora be organized to help them become part of the vast and fast growing technological world.