buisness idea 1

buisness idea p2

Interactive geotag tour idea

Interactive tour

interactive tour p2

Group members: Anson, Peter, Lia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

In order to raise awareness about a subject or cause, first we should consider/ realize that raising awareness really only means disseminating news and adding a need.

News + provocative need

Another element of raising awareness includes creating a venue for helping proactively.   This element of helping means that the news (awareness) has an outlet, and does not remain as merely news.

We should also think about how the “need” translates to various methods of communication.  That means considering the mode of the communication of the need ( newspapers , events, etc…)

Within this project there might be some kind of data visualization, especially if we are thinking about using or collecting data / research.  Without repeating Nick exactly, data visualization is when you map or plot points in a graphical way to visualize information.  Typically you would take your data, and apply a few logical filters in order to create or reveal relationships visually.

http://mashable.com/2007/05/15/16-awesome-data-visualization-tools/

http://www.infosthetics.com/

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/08/02/data-visualization-modern-approaches/

(Data + Filters = Relationships = Visualizations)

First, the most vital of all communication occurs when one person talks with another person and shares information.  It’s pretty basic, but I think worth mentioning so that we don’t ignore it.

Second, Central America (and the united states) still use fax machines.  It is easy to ignore it, but fax machines use a phone line, and are relatively low cost.  

Also, event-based communication could warrant a closer look; event based communication works as an extension of real world communication, but requires organizational effort and an event.

- Just thoughts -

Internet

Internet access in Costa Rica is rapidly improving but in comparison to the united states, is still painfully slow and expensive.  All satellite Internet services are illegal, but DSL lines are proliferating in and around the cities.

Internet Overview (prices and availability)

Post Offices

Costa Rica does have a functioning mail system, however there is not any real house delivery system.  All official mail arrives at the post office box, and then you can pick it up.  There are other systems in place such as courier services, but those operate outside of the national mail system.

Mail Overview

Propaganda / News

conventional news sources:

Loosely defined as any news source, propaganda includes all conventional news, the Internet, and radio / television.  Other modes of news include post offices, telephone networks, and fax machines.

Costa Rica has many different news sources, and many different newspapers.  The high literacy rate in Costa Rica helps the general population to converse and discuss current events over the daily papers.

Daily News:

Newspapers list 1 (informative), Big List of Newspapers

Radio Stations List

A user can gain access to a great range of content and destinations in an interactive and practical way.