Continuous computing is defined as the continuous access to computing resources
such as social media, email, blogs and other web-based resources or tools. In
a digital world, people communicate using digital devices such as laptops,
smartphones, media players, camera phones and other separate devices. Digital
life makes everything simple and better.
Zambia’s access to computing resources is limited
and only less than 5% of the people have access. This simply entails the
government has not invested so much in science and technology.
Things are changing and computing is making things
possible, consider the way we work (using different types of software
applications to do tasks that were previous considered to be tedious, hence achieving
higher levels of productivity); the way we communicate with our beloved ones,
family and friends (using tools such as social media, internet-based tools such
as BBM, WhatsApp etc.), how we learn or obtain information about a certain
place we want to visit (using four Square) etc. I mean the usage of technology
is vast, and mostly is being spearheaded by the usage of internet with the
right infrastructure in place. Technology in Zambia is being driven by the
private sector especially the telecommunications sector which is investing
heavily in the usage of latest technologies. For the IT sector to grow in
Zambia, it needs the intervention of the government, the government needs to
set out priorities among them which should be the promotion and investment in
science and technology. The benefits of science and technology are profound and
cannot be compared to any other discipline be it economics, business etc.
Below I will propound and expound about two enabling
technologies that can help to make Zambia a digital economy, so that it become
a continuous computing country.
1.
Internet
access: digital society is all about information sharing,
and that information sharing comes about with the help of access to private
networks and public network mostly the internet. Continuous computing requires
the continuous sharing of information and knowledge. The cost of internet
access in Zambia is exorbitant, therefore, there is a need for government
intervention and compel ISP players reduce the price drastically. We need
people to have continuous access to the resources via cheap internet so that
life can be easier and do work out of the convention offices. An investment in
the internet infrastructure should take precedence. Government should also
start giving incentives to the ISPs the same way they do to the investors in
the mines, thus promoting continuous computing and investment in science and
technology. What is essential is more collaboration with the use of internet.
We need to have cheap internet broadband with fast speed. We need our airports,
bus stations like intercity in Lusaka, KMB in Kitwe to have internet hot spots,
places like shopping malls need to have hotspots as well; not forgetting rural
remote areas such Shangombo, Mporokoso etc. What we seek is continuous
computing where people are able to access web-based resources wherever,
whenever and anytime! Zambia need inexpensive internet access, and not what are
subjected to at the moment. The government through the ministry of transport
and communication (ZICTA) should look into this issue. Imagine with inexpensive
internet access, how students from higher learning institutions will be able to
do a lot of research. With cheap internet access, conventional telephones calls
can be eliminated with the use of IP technologies such as Skype and Vonage
which offer cheap and free voice and video calls. Holding of conference via the
use of internet technologies can be the order of the day. Inexpensive internet
access is a required. We need people to do a lot of e-payments anytime. People
should be able to do a lot of inter-banking transactions via e-banking. With
cheap access to the internet we shall a lot of creativity among computer
programmers, and IT starts-ups will definitely emerge.
2.
Inexpensive,
Wireless Computing Devices: Continuous computing requires access devices and
mostly its wireless devices. These devices can mostly be Smartphones, Laptop, Tablets,
PDA, Web-Cameras, video recorders, voice recorders, MP3 Players, pagers, GPS receivers,
instant messaging and other separate devices. They are all supportive of social
computing. Currently in Zambia, these devices are expensive and only a few
elites are able to manage leaving out the majority poor. Anyway, thanks to MTN
Zambia who recently launched the cheap internet access phone to enable more
people get connected to the internet. I would also like other players in the
sector to follow suite and introduce cheap internet access phone so as to
carter for all the citizens regardless of their social status. Cheap digital
devices will enable access to the internet thus making communication more cheap
and affordable to the ordinary Zambians. We need more of such initiatives in Zambia.
The government should also take the leading role and push for industry players
to reduce the price of these devices. We have also witnessed the penetration of
Chinese smartphones on the Zambian market which are cheaper compared to the
western phones such as Nokia, iPhone and alike. Apart from phones, the price of
laptops in Zambia should also come down drastically. The government should
remove taxes for the importation of new computing resources and not second
hand. We can make Zambia a hub of technology in Southern Africa. By removing certain
taxes, it means we are enticing the technological giants to come and invest in
Zambia by setting up assembly plants, which will result in job creation and
poverty reduction. Technological vendors in Zambia should reduce the price of
laptops, desktops and servers. Wireless laptop is one of the resources that can
be able to access web-based applications thus making computing more social.
Continuous computing allows people to share
knowledge, experiences, creations, schedules, and locations. The most common is
the sharing of interests over social networking sites. The fallacy is that
social networking sites are just made of people who are connected by a shared
object. The experience of computing is phenomena and it’s the greatest
invention of the 21st Century. The two trends discussed above can
shift and bring computing far closer to our everyday life or experience. “We
have seen how social software can give us new ways to tap into the collective
wisdom of the people in our social groups. But that’s one consequence of
continuous computing. On a personal level, for example, the portable devices
that sustain the information field are more respectable to our bodies and are
perambulatory nature.” laments Wade Roush
(MIT Technology Review, 2005). Digital connection should be almost anywhere. I
believe in the next 5 years Zambia will be a digitally connected country where
even when on the beaches of Siavonga or lake Bangweulu, I will be able to
connect with people back in Lusaka and when my boss request for certain
information, I can send over to him like at the speed of lightening (Its
greasing data).
Continuous-computing applications also mesh with
lives by understanding our preferences. With continuous computing, you can
synchronize all your activities with friends, family and colleagues. A lot of Zambians
will be able to read news anywhere using smartphones and other digital devices.
We can do it, we can digitalize our lives as well just like our western world friends.
Technologies change the way we work, live, love,
play, think and feel.
References
MIT Tech Review: Social Machines
Lukonde L. Chaibela
Email: longanjela@gmail.com
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