Question Box is Open Mind’s initiative to bring information to people the way they want to receive it.
For us, that means:
- Local language
- Live telephone hotlines
- SMS answers
- & more
All Question Box projects are tailored to match the needs of the locations we operate in and our partners.
Technologies
Software
Question Box’s backend software logs all call data and indexes operators previous queries and answers, allowing it to get smarter over time. It uses a specialized local databases or ‘off-line internet’ solution allowing it to work in any situation, whether it’s on or offline, powered or using backup generators. The database is customized with information relevant to the location we happen to be working in at the time. Although, some answers are universal, this makes since, as most of the questions asked have to be understoon in the context of their locale (ex. “What is the price of grain?” could be asked in Pune or in Kampala. Each require different answers.)
Hardware
In India, we use call boxes to connect people on the street to our live Internet information service. Here, the Question Box is a simple telephone intercom which requires no literacy or computer skills. Users place a free call by pushing the green button. They connect to an Operator sitting in front of a computer with internet acess. Users ask the operator questions in their local language. The operator goes online and finds their answers, translating English results back into the local language. The physical Question Box units have gone through several design cycles. They now can run completely off the grid, using mobile phone and solar technologies.
Question Box - All About Question Box.
Also see: