[Web4lib] Optimizing services for the low-bandwidth communities

[David J. Fiander]

MPOW has recently begun an outreach program for health care workers in 
Rwanda.  The Institute with which we are partnering does have a web 
presence that's hosted locally in Rwanda, but their link to the outside 
world is probably not much better than a fast dialup modem that's always 
on.  It definitely leads one to appreciate the low-bandwidth design of google.

I have often felt that web developers should be forced to spend at least 
half their time on a computer whose internet access has been throttled back 
to a fraction of a Mbit/sec, just so they can be aware of the speed at 
which many of their users still surf the net.

- David

K.G. Schneider wrote:
> On the heels of giving a talk in South Africa (and having a week of serious
> bandwidth withdrawal) I'm writing a Techsource post about optimizing
> web-based services for low-bandwidth communities. I'd appreciate any war
> stories, tips, and lessons-learned that you folks would like to share.
> 
> K.G. Schneider
> kgs at bluehighways.com
> AIM/skype freerangelib
> 
> 
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-- 
David J. Fiander              | +1 519 661 2111 ext 86369
Digital Services Librarian    | http://www.lib.uwo.ca/taylor/
Allyn & Betty Taylor Library  | MSN chat: dfiander at uwo.ca
University of Western Ontario |