1. Sample Projects MSR India: TEM Rural Microfinance and IT
Rural Kiosk Entrepreneurs
Sample Projects
Can computers help existing structures for rural microfinance?
Study on the challenges and uniqueness of rural kiosk entrepreneurs
MSR India: TEM
Aishwarya Lakshmi Ratan
Associate Researcher
Nimmi Rangaswamy
Associate Researcher
Text-Free UI
Warana Unwired
Digital Green
UIs without text for users who are illliterate and may never have seen a computer before
Experiments with SMS text-messaging in a sugarcane cooperative
Video and mediated
instruction for agriculture
extension
Indrani Medhi
Assistant Researcher
Rajesh Veeraraghavan
Associate Researcher
Rikin Gandhi
Assistant Researcher
Government and Kiosks
Simultaneous Shared Access
IT and Microentrepreneurs
The state’s role in rural kiosk projects, with a focus on Kerala and Andhra
Multiplying the value of PCs by allowing many users to access.
Information ecology of small businesses in developing markets
Renee Kuriyan
Research Intern
Udai Singh Pawar
Associate Researcher
Jonathan Donner
Researcher 1

2. Human Computer Interfaces

3. The Five Stages of Design
Good design comes out of deep intuition
into the user.
More time, deeper intuition
Stage
Knowledge Gained
Wonder
Surface Problem
Exuberance
Surface Solution
Realization
Real Problem
Adjustment
Real Solution
Identification
User

4. Recapitulation Cyclical process Stage Warana Unwired MultiPoint
Text-Free UI
Wonder
agrarian society
rural education
illiteracy
Exuberance
Internet for farmers!
PCs in classrooms!
UIs without text!
Realization
little PC value for most farmers
too many children per PC
UI manipulation not the issue
Adjustment
SMS-based inventory query
multiple mice per PC
full-context video
Identification
“Just the info I need.”
“We’ll share and play!”
“Demystify it for me.”
Cyclical process

5. General Lessons? Spend time with users.
Accept simple solution, if it works.
(Surprisingly difficult for technologists!)
Spend time with users!

6. Thank you!