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A mobile database that brings it all together

by kiwanja

Two years or so ago during my time at Stanford University, I was carrying out research on the impact of mobile phones around the world for a conference. I was after specific articles, reports and projects – but it was spread all over the place. I spent so much time I wondered why a ‘one-stop’, searchable resource didn’t exist. Several weeks and a couple of volunteers later we launched the kiwanja Mobile Database, the first attempt of its kind to bring some of this information together. Volunteers have helped maintain it since, and it remains the only resource of its kind.

kiwanja's Mobile Database

Today the Mobile Database holds information on the social and environmental impact of mobile technology around the world, and is searchable by article, report or project, and by category, country or keyword. As of today it contains almost 650 entries and is regularly maintained. Since it’s launch in 2006 it’s become one of the most popular sections of the kiwanja.net website – closely followed by the Mobile Gallery of photos, and the “Build it Kenny” blog – and is particularly popular among students and researchers.

So, if you’re a student, researcher, activist, practitioner or simply interested in mobile technology, be sure to bookmark it and submit your own entries if you find anything interesting!

65 comments

1 jranck (jranck) { 04.27.09 at 10:55 am }

RT @kiwanja “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

2 Bart (Bart Collet) { 04.27.09 at 10:57 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

3 mindofandre (Andre Blackman) { 04.27.09 at 10:58 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

4 mriggen (Michelle Riggen-Rans) { 04.27.09 at 11:01 am }

RT @kiwanja “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

5 poptech (Pop!Tech) { 04.27.09 at 11:02 am }

RT @kiwanja “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

6 lovisatalk (lovisa) { 04.27.09 at 11:07 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

7 ecoblips (danielle lanyard) { 04.27.09 at 11:07 am }

RT @mindofandre: RT @kiwanja:”A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for all things mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

8 ismael { 04.27.09 at 11:11 am }

great that you published it online!! :)

9 asteris (Asteris Masouras) { 04.27.09 at 11:13 am }

Mobile Database on social & environmental impact of mobile technology around the world (@kiwanja) http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

10 Asteris Masouras { 04.27.09 at 11:13 am }

Mobile Database on social & environmental impact of mobile technology around the world (@kiwanja) http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

11 Alex Anderson { 04.27.09 at 11:15 am }

Hi Ken,

I think someone at Africa Gathering Saturday was asking if there was a similar resource listing *all* ICT4D projects, rather than just mobile-specific ones. Do you know of any?

Alex

12 ajmunn (Alasdair Munn) { 04.27.09 at 11:17 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

13 kiwanja { 04.27.09 at 11:25 am }

@Ismael – Thanks, appreciate it. It’s been around for a couple of years, of course. Someone asked me last week why I didn’t promote it. :)

@Alex – There have been a few attempts. I’ll dig out some links, unless other people have any to submit. Of course, it’s almost impossible to have a comprehensive database, whatever people say

14 findub (Francesco Cetraro) { 04.27.09 at 11:25 am }

RT: @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

15 lilious (lilious) { 04.27.09 at 11:35 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

16 IJCentral (IJCentral) { 04.27.09 at 11:40 am }

excellent resource “A mobile database that brings it all together”. FrontlineSMS/mobile tech http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat (via @frontlinesms)

17 bobharrell (Bob Harrell) { 04.27.09 at 11:44 am }

RT @kiwanja “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

18 neoluk (LucaServo) { 04.27.09 at 11:49 am }

RT @kiwanja“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

19 alisha764 (alisha miles) { 04.27.09 at 12:15 pm }

RT @mindofandre: “RT @kiwanja: “mobile database that brings it all 2gether”. 4 any1 interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat“

20 whiteafrican (Erik Hersman) { 04.27.09 at 12:30 pm }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat (via @kiwanja)

21 Rog42 (Rog42) { 04.27.09 at 12:41 pm }

RT @whiteafrican: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat (via @kiwanja)

22 martinkonzett (Martin Konzett) { 04.27.09 at 12:45 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

23 ict4ddotat (ICT4D.at) { 04.27.09 at 12:46 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

24 eDevelopment (e-Development Group) { 04.27.09 at 12:47 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

25 alexandergeorge (Alex Anderson) { 04.27.09 at 1:20 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

26 epiraces (epiraces) { 04.27.09 at 1:27 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in #mobiletech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

27 kiwanja (Ken Banks) { 04.27.09 at 4:39 pm }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

28 eriksundelof (Erik Sundelof) { 04.27.09 at 4:46 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

29 johnkidenda (john kidenda) { 04.27.09 at 5:42 pm }

RT @kiwanja“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

30 newtactics (newtactics) { 04.27.09 at 6:16 pm }

R/T @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

31 kynamusti (Sherrie Finney) { 04.27.09 at 6:21 pm }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

32 TimUnwin (Tim Unwin) { 04.27.09 at 6:24 pm }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat from @kiwanja

33 jdlasica (JD Lasica) { 04.27.09 at 6:39 pm }

please RT: Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech: “A mobile database that brings it all together.” http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

34 12C4 (Jenny G) { 04.27.09 at 6:53 pm }

A mobile database that brings it all together | Build it Kenny, and they will come… http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

35 mpkrueger (mpkrueger) { 04.27.09 at 6:55 pm }

very nice: RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. For all interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

36 infoDev (InfoDev.org) { 04.27.09 at 7:13 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

37 Athandapani (Athandapani) { 04.27.09 at 11:10 pm }

RT @whiteafrican: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

38 vipatin (Larue Wilkie) { 04.28.09 at 1:15 am }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

39 kopteri84 (Mariela Gale) { 04.28.09 at 6:36 am }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

40 Mobile4Change (Mobile4Change) { 04.29.09 at 9:22 am }

->@frontlinesms: A mobile database that brings it all together http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

41 aatsi90 (Lesli Rafferty) { 04.29.09 at 1:05 pm }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

42 adaptive path » blog » Adaptive Path » Signposts for the Week Ending May 1 { 05.02.09 at 5:27 am }

[...] new mobile database of social and mobile technology around the [...]

43 viilsu (Rochell Martel) { 05.05.09 at 5:35 pm }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

44 juzhi (Krista Mckelvey) { 05.05.09 at 10:21 pm }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

45 rumalskiretard (Hee Jiminez) { 05.12.09 at 3:58 am }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

46 ak18d (Yasmin Kress) { 05.26.09 at 4:12 am }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

47 jalamaki (Vera Cody) { 05.28.09 at 5:05 am }

“A mobile database that brings it all together”. Resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://tinyurl.com/dk2yat

48 Arudo Yat { 07.13.09 at 11:02 am }

RT @kiwanja “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

49 arudoyat { 07.13.09 at 11:02 am }

RT @kiwanja “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

50 Guy Girardet { 07.13.09 at 11:24 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together.” Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

51 guygirardet { 07.13.09 at 11:24 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together.” Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

52 Maartje Awadi { 07.13.09 at 11:43 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together.” Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

53 mawadi { 07.13.09 at 11:43 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together.” Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

54 lovisa { 07.13.09 at 11:49 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

55 lovisatalk { 07.13.09 at 11:49 am }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

56 paconmiller { 07.13.09 at 11:56 am }

RT @kiwanja “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

57 David Isaak { 07.13.09 at 12:19 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

58 sixblue data { 07.13.09 at 12:19 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

59 David Isaak { 07.13.09 at 12:20 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech.” http://is.gd/1wZXF I appreciate the image section -> ppt’s

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

60 David Isaak { 07.13.09 at 12:20 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech." http://is.gd/1wZXF I appreciate the image section -> ppt’s

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

61 sixblue data { 07.13.09 at 12:20 pm }

RT @kiwanja: “Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech.” http://is.gd/1wZXF I appreciate the image section -> ppt’s

62 Hima Batavia { 07.13.09 at 2:37 pm }

RT @kiwanja “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

63 himabatavia { 07.13.09 at 2:37 pm }

RT @kiwanja “A mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource for anyone interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

64 Roxanna Samii { 07.13.09 at 6:05 pm }

RT @DGateway: RT @kiwanja “mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource 4 interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

[Original tweet, Topsy page]

65 rsamii { 07.13.09 at 6:05 pm }

RT @DGateway: RT @kiwanja “mobile database that brings it all together”. Searchable resource 4 interested in mobile tech. http://is.gd/1wZXF

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