Paper Reading #8: Exploring Mobile Technologies for the Urban Homeless (24)

Comments

http://stuartjchi.blogspot.com/2011/02/paper-reading-8-exploring-mobile.html

http://wkhciblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/paper-reading-8-exploring-mobile.html

Reference Information

   Title: Exploring Mobile Technologies for the Urban Homeless

   Author: Christopher A. Le Dantec

   Publisher: CHI 2010: Doctoral Constium, April 10-15, 2010

Summary

In this paper, Le Dantec wishes to study the effect mobile technologies can have on the homeless population. The ubiquity of cell phones has allowed a great deal of technology to become mobile, although only the affluent can take advantage of that. This project ponders the effect that these cell phones can have on the homeless population.

In Le Dantec's proposal, he wishes to give cell phones to homeless people with software that can help them to find necessities such as shelters, food and medical aid.

Discussion

This was a really short paper. I understand where the author is coming from and I do think that access to this technology can have a good impact on the homeless population. I just feel that it will be hard to implement and build the infrastructure required to maintain and keep track of everything.

image: http://classes.tametheweb.com/newdigitaldivide/files/2009/12/homeless.gif