Information Communication Technology (ICT) has been largely limited either for peer to peer communication, or expert to audience communication. In peer to peer communication I would include exchanging information electronically, say e-mail. In the second category I would include information through books, newspapers, magazines and websites whether maintained by commercial establishments, government agencies or educational institutions. The information transfer by this mode was largely one-way, from the expert to the targeted audience. The targeted audience has had no choice but to accept the information as it is presented. Because the person(s) responsible for creating information was not totally aware of the capabilities, likes, limitations of the targeted audience. For example, even when a fraction of the targeted population was not really be comfortable with language in which the information is presented she had no alternative. Same was the case even when the targeted person did know a particular language s/he may be hampered by the dialect. The information was usually presented as text only even though the target may not be always comfortable in reading text. In short, the technologies often used to fall short of the real requirements of information recipient. Thus there was a huge potential for the developing ICTs that will suit the pockets, tastes and real requirements of a burgeoning population of information seekers.
Till a decade ago, the Internet that was a vehicle to disseminate information from a selected few to the rather affluent sections of the society was mistakenly viewed as the technology for the future of communication. But in the last few years the indicators point to changes that may yet again revolutionize information communication.
Till a decade ago, the Internet that was a vehicle to disseminate information from a selected few to the rather affluent sections of the society was mistakenly viewed as the technology for the future of communication. But in the last few years the indicators point to changes that may yet again revolutionize information communication.
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