tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.comments2023-10-07T16:33:37.655+07:00A Digerati WannabeMichael Riggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-42441155058546870882009-05-25T16:57:00.387+07:002009-05-25T16:57:00.387+07:00Hi. The ISIF grant is another funding source, and ...Hi. The ISIF grant is another funding source, and is open for appliction now through 31 July 2009. I put the contact information in my newest blog post. Good luck!Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-73489802360071872352009-05-14T13:42:00.000+07:002009-05-14T13:42:00.000+07:00You're right about the confusion. I personally thi...You're right about the confusion. I personally think that the ends justify the means. If a certain tech intervention is going to really empower farmers then it doesn't matter whether its through a computer or through a mobile phone. I suspect that in the developing world's case, its simply the fact that the mobile phone has almost become ubiquitous hence a lot of people are thinking of using mobile phones as a platform. An example of m-Agriculture can be found in the Agriculture component of the Nokia LifeTools which will soon be launched in India (http://www.nokia.co.in/A41427317). In the end, it just seems to be a term that focuses on the fact that M = mobile/wireless while E = can be wired and relatively larger in size :)Subirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07921294007829757606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-50355432987200135292009-05-13T09:06:00.000+07:002009-05-13T09:06:00.000+07:00congratulations Michael. I'm sure you'll do well i...congratulations Michael. I'm sure you'll do well in your new job. Cheers mate!Jimhttp://jimcaro.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-2793831843900581072009-04-08T19:59:00.000+07:002009-04-08T19:59:00.000+07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-1912543852133032622009-04-08T19:57:00.000+07:002009-04-08T19:57:00.000+07:00Hi MichaelThanks for posting this link. I guess it...Hi Michael<BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting this link. I guess it's a bit late now for applying for the research.<BR/><BR/>I represent a social enterprise working on delivery of quality healthcare & pharmaceutical services in Pakistan through franchised telehealth centers. <BR/><BR/>We are currently working on a "proof of concept" for our eHealth Referral Network in the peri-urban areas of Pakistan. <BR/><BR/>Unavailability of research funding locally makes it quite difficult for us to implement such a project on the ground. Would appreciate it if you suggest some more research grants/funds.Zahara Khanhttp://www.sehatfirst.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-5911955714308393682009-04-06T13:44:00.000+07:002009-04-06T13:44:00.000+07:00Thank you for the kind comments :-)Thank you for the kind comments :-)Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-13632362187496634472009-03-20T15:28:00.000+07:002009-03-20T15:28:00.000+07:00Thanks Nancy. I've just done a quick search on the...Thanks Nancy. I've just done a quick search on the KM4Dev tag and see what you mean about the filtering and amplification. Are we heading towards a hive mind? (Meant in the good sense.)<BR/><BR/>My viewpoint on Twitter is evolving here. The ambient awareness concept is still fascinating to me, but this ability to quickly spread concepts is powerful.<BR/><BR/>Oh and I think it's Lucie Lamoreaux tweeting on KM4Dev.Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-65086019617674302262009-03-20T15:18:00.000+07:002009-03-20T15:18:00.000+07:00So IT didn't show up?!Well I'd say it's better to ...So IT didn't show up?!<BR/><BR/>Well I'd say it's better to start with the curious, the self-motivated, those searching for something to improve/enhance their current activities. This gives the ideas and tools a chance to get established, and then interest will have the opportunity to spread.<BR/><BR/>Sort of like the Everett Rogers Diffusion theory that defines new product adopters in five categories: innovators, early adopters, early majority, etc.Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-52138218132812864052009-03-20T11:17:00.000+07:002009-03-20T11:17:00.000+07:00Wow Michael.Thanks for the compliments and the pub...Wow Michael.<BR/>Thanks for the compliments and the publicity.<BR/><BR/>Well the presentation went really well, but I would have liked to get more people to join it at CIAT (what interpretation would you give to the total absence of IT staff?) <BR/><BR/>Nonetheless the Tweets and re-tweets, the comments on Facebook and on the Slide Share site as well as your blog are a fabulous encouragement. <BR/><BR/>Thanks to all.Simone Staigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978073418470776195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-15313920686522608972009-03-19T22:55:00.000+07:002009-03-19T22:55:00.000+07:00Nice round up, Michael. One thing I noticed about ...Nice round up, Michael. One thing I noticed about the network effect of those interested in this topic. I tagged the Steve Barth post with KM4Dev and whomever is KM4Dev on Twitter is picking up tags that the community makes on resources and is retweeting them. That is a fascinating form of filtering and amplification!Nancy Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374074594611764684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-48826153859795626462008-12-26T16:45:00.000+07:002008-12-26T16:45:00.000+07:00Hi MichaelTried to locate to you in facebook, but ...Hi Michael<BR/><BR/>Tried to locate to you in facebook, but failed so many Michael Riggs are there.<BR/><BR/>Are you using a different profile picture?<BR/><BR/>:)<BR/><BR/>Sameera.Sameera Wijerathnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15707049907813034065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-7638815821792424632008-11-11T17:30:00.000+07:002008-11-11T17:30:00.000+07:00Hi everyone, it is a pleasure to join you in the f...Hi everyone, it is a pleasure to join you in the facilitation of this Forum!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-922209699499030072008-10-30T16:14:00.000+07:002008-10-30T16:14:00.000+07:00Corrected the link, sorry about that! I'm also loo...Corrected the link, sorry about that! I'm also looking forward to the forum.Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-14360370928519075362008-10-30T15:40:00.000+07:002008-10-30T15:40:00.000+07:00Looking forward to participate in the workshop. Th...Looking forward to participate in the workshop. Thanks for the opportunity. (By the way the link to my blog is wrong).Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15155682948256137053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-80198676622962240322008-09-21T11:32:00.000+07:002008-09-21T11:32:00.000+07:00Hi Agnes. I do agree with you that it's necessary ...Hi Agnes. I do agree with you that it's necessary to map some individuals and also ok to keep others in group represented by all or part of an organization. Sometimes the choice of how to do this isn't so clear (at least not to me!) but that is also what makes this a learning process. :-)Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-74075338261902743452008-09-19T20:58:00.000+07:002008-09-19T20:58:00.000+07:00Hi Michael,In mapping our network, we had a simila...Hi Michael,<BR/><BR/>In mapping our network, we had a similar experience of groups and/ or individuals. However, this was a problem to us since we found it worthwhile to pull out some individual units from general groups. Examples include; ministries of health, ministries of agriculture, local public, international public, SRO's and other SRO's (SROs=Sub Regional Organizations).<BR/><BR/>It was imperative for us to do so because there exist unique interactions between these units and other groups. So we could not afford placing them in the general groups of public sectors or sub-regional organizations. With the latter, separating the two was important since one category is at a lower lever than the other. So, I see no harm mapping individuals and groups.Agneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05781411455542267433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-47327412148033724682008-09-16T10:24:00.000+07:002008-09-16T10:24:00.000+07:00Well I should have known! Nancy's already blogged ...Well I should have known! Nancy's already blogged on this subject - check out what she wrote at:<BR/>http://www.fullcirc.com/wp/2008/09/15/tips-for-chattalk-show-hosts/Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-37386744209910611272008-09-16T09:58:00.000+07:002008-09-16T09:58:00.000+07:00Hi Jeremy, you raise a very relevant point. My ans...Hi Jeremy, you raise a very relevant point. My answer in a nutshell is we are very dependent on an enthusiastic, well cultivated network. The e-Agriculture initiative to date functions totally on in-kind contributions for all its activities. From online forum moderators to expert panelists to the “hosts”, everyone takes on these roles because they believe in the importance of this initiative. Charlotte Masiello and I have put a lot of work into finding and empowering the right people to anchor these panel discussions. We look for someone within the community, because as you note an understanding of the subject is essential, and also it creates a win-win situation where the host gains both personal exposure and learning from the process. We are fortunate that the e-Agriculture community is now around 5,000 individuals strong, and we also draw from the networks of partner organizations such as GKP, as well as our personal professional networks. Ensuring respect amongst all the panelists and the host is created by a developing a degree of familiarity and comfort in the group before the event. Several weeks prior to the event we start an email-based discussion (and occasional phone calls as needed) with the whole group, asking first that everyone introduce themselves, and then moving on to discuss what each person thinks is important about the subject of the event, how they might like to see the discussion evolve and what they hope to get out of it personally. I or someone acting as a facilitator will add in a few points of common interest to bring people closer together, summarize what could happen on the panel, share expectations about behavior (e.g. no PowerPoints!), etc.<BR/><BR/>Now I'm thinking that I did not given a clear impression of the amount of time needed to prepare for one of these events beforehand. There is a lot of preparation work in identifying and confirming the panelists and host and then establishing a "good group feeling" for the event before the group actually meets in person. This is work that no one at the event is even aware of, but it’s what makes the process succeed (or falter).<BR/><BR/>Nancy White made some additional points in her comment that are very relevant to our work but that I had not detailed out in my original blog. (Yes Nancy, you should blog it!)<BR/><BR/>Creating a more relaxed feeling at the event is important. We do our best (within limitations of the venue) to remove things like podiums and rearrange seating so it is not like being in a lecture class. I ask the panelists and host to not wear suit jackets (a bit difficult in this regional context but I still try). Little things like that add up.<BR/><BR/>I hope this helps. I’d be happy to discuss this with you more at any time, and I would really encourage you to consider trying it out if the opportunity arises. We have been really pleased with the results and I believe others will too.Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-61070791677296761102008-09-16T00:51:00.000+07:002008-09-16T00:51:00.000+07:00Re Hosting skills -- I agree that a good host is r...Re Hosting skills -- I agree that a good host is really crucial, so much that I like to run practice groups with potential hosts to give them experience, have the test group offer peer feedback and switch roles (host, panelist, audience) and offer those perspectives. <BR/><BR/>The key things we have identified around the host role are: (hm, I should blog this)<BR/><BR/>* Study up on your panelists so you can give a brief introduction that focuses on th relevance of the guest to the topic at hand - not everything they have done. <BR/><BR/>* Remember, you are there to help everyone learn something and to make the panelists as successful as possible. <BR/><BR/>* Create a comfortable, welcoming context. I like to sit in chairs without a podium or table and instead have an informal coffee table (with coffee!) in front of the chairs which are arranged in a semi circle so each panelist can see each other and the host. I usually suggest the host sits in the middle to allow good eye contact.<BR/><BR/>* Think in advance of good questions that aren't yes/no questions, and are specific enough so that the panelists don't have to give long preambles. Questions that go right to the heart of the matter being covered. <BR/><BR/>* Use follow up questions to elicit details and specifics. Interrupt politely to do this if needed. Don't let people ramble. It does no one any good. <BR/><BR/>* Face the panelist who is speaking. Turn your body, REALLY face them, and listen very carefully. When you are clearly listening, speakers are more willing to let you interrupt and this can be the moment to help the speaker focus. <BR/><BR/>* DO NOT promote your ideas or story. You are the INTERVIEWER, not the SUBJECT of the interview. <BR/><BR/>* Make sure everyone gets fair airtime. This does not mean EQUAL airtime, but that each person's idea or point has been clearly presented. <BR/><BR/>* Summarize briefly during and more fully at the end. <BR/><BR/>* Allow speakers one final SHORT comment that you frame by asking a specific "wrap up" question. Don't say "is there anything else you'd like to say." Uh uh.<BR/><BR/>* Where culturally appropriate, use humor. I recently hosted a chat show with a "bigger than life" chat show personality and we had fun with it. It was a more informal gathering, so it was in the appropriate context. <BR/><BR/>* Always thank everyone at the end!Nancy Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374074594611764684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-59408818793263503682008-09-15T17:45:00.000+07:002008-09-15T17:45:00.000+07:00Yes Twitter is a positive experience, and I agree ...Yes Twitter is a positive experience, and I agree that it's dependent on having a good network. One thing I failed to mention is that I'm slowly building my network with a focus on professional peers/colleagues (not friends and family as that's not what I decided to use Twitter for). Now about your questions...<BR/><BR/>1. I can send but not receive sms-based "tweets" on my mobile phone because the service is based in Thailand (where there's no Twitter agreement with the phone companies). Instead I use the wi-fi service on my iPhone combined with Twitterriffic to send and receive tweets.<BR/><BR/>I did send/receive tweets all through this conference (the picture catches me in the act!).<BR/><BR/>2. Tagging on Twitter is indicated by placing a "#" character at the beginning of the tag. (This is common use, but not universal - much is written online about it.) The specific tag for this meeting "aginfo8" was chosen by one of the organizers and was announced prior to and during the meeting so that all of us would use the common tag. That's why now if you Google "aginfo8" you will find many types of content from this meeting. At search.twitter.com you can find all the tweets from the conference.Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-81915215180744777632008-09-15T15:52:00.000+07:002008-09-15T15:52:00.000+07:00A colleague flagged this post on Google Reader. I ...A colleague flagged this post on Google Reader. I think you have presented a fine idea, but there is one problem, whcih you recognize. <BR/><BR/>It takes a "host" of skill, experience, and personality. Maybe you have such a person in your organization, but if not, such people do not come cheap. And unfortunately, professional hosts often do not have the background to know which are good and useful interventions and which are "newsworthy' but actually irrelevant.<BR/><BR/>Do you budget for this sort of thing? How do you get a host who knows the subject, and has the other skills, and commands the respect of the panellists?Jeremyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04639265958695262241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-53230631755899827472008-09-13T15:21:00.000+07:002008-09-13T15:21:00.000+07:00Hi Michael, that sound like a positive experience ...Hi Michael, that sound like a positive experience with a new tool! Yet, it all depends on your network. Being on twitter without having a solid network wouldn't help. I have two questions: 1. did you use mobile phone to twitter and did you read responses too?<BR/>2. how did the tag work?Joitskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09087406142343521335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-26650056344929289872008-08-21T17:31:00.000+07:002008-08-21T17:31:00.000+07:00Michael, you probably have seen this already, but ...Michael, you probably have seen this already, but maybe this article on ZDNet titled 'Humanatarian Collaboration'is in some way helpful <BR/><BR/>http://blogs.zdnet.com/collaboration/?p=130Gerrit Visserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05227275548935015191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-20678366101669226962008-08-20T17:17:00.000+07:002008-08-20T17:17:00.000+07:00Gerrit, thanks for this! It's appreciated &...Gerrit, thanks for this! It's appreciated & very timely as well. Next week at the e-Agriculture session of IAALD-AFITA-WCCA one of the topics that will be picked up is the impact (realized and potential) of cell phones in rural development. There's particular interest on how the tool can be used to help mitigate problems related to the "food price crisis".Michael Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05669764110474163606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307276750410404539.post-54323476386657742102008-08-20T15:00:00.000+07:002008-08-20T15:00:00.000+07:00Hi Michael, the development of the growing interes...Hi Michael, the development of the growing interest in new ways that cellphones are used in the ICT4Dev field has my particular interest. We blog on that at http://smartmobs.com and you may also find some references at our delicious set with the id compartuserGerrit Visserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05227275548935015191noreply@blogger.com