Black People And Touch Screens

Introduction

This extended blog is a guide to how you can support black people who have little experience of the internet and using internet enabled devices.

I have previous experience in creating and testing methods in how older and socially excluded persons can access the internet with different types of technology.

Previously I had managed projects which looked at providing older and socially excluded audiences with devices and the internet and seeing which devices (netbook, touch screen smartphone and touch screen computer) worked best for their needs.

The technology which was most effective was the touch screen technology (smartphone and computer). This was due to the layout and the ease of access to the applications they could use to browse the internet, send emails and video call, which are all things older persons find valuable about their technology use.

(Note. Digital Exclusion is those who do not have access to the internet, either by mobile internet, broadband or television internet)

These Users

The black enlightened network does not always realise that is it is based online, and can network and share information with others around the world. Most of the participants are younger and have access to a broadband or mobile internet connection.

The digitally excluded, with information to share may not have such access or the knowledge on how to use these devices. Although online engagement should not start and end the participation, it can be a accessible start.

Being able to fuse together the older generations get up and go know-how with the younger generations knowledge of technology great strides could be made.

How The Digitally Excluded Should Use Technology

Technology which digitally excluded users should use, is suggested to be simpler and more convenient, than your own device, since they may not be as skilled as you are at using different devices.

Screen size is important as they will need this to read the text or see the pictures, though it should be noted that the bigger the screen the more expensive the device will be.

Screen size can also assist in having ease of access to some of the following:

• Internet Banking
• Paying bills
• Online Shopping
• Skype
• Checking and Sending Emails
• Using Social Media
• Internet Browsing

The device should be set up with a way in which they can check emails and notifications, send and check text messages.

Touch Screen Devices

Most of the applications and web pages are now created to match either the smartphone or tablets size, whilst a touch screen computer will have a desktop view.

This means social media sites will have applications if using a Smartphone or tablet that is easily accessible, with just your log in and password required.

You may purchase the touch screen device for some of the reasons below:

• They just need to touch the icon on the screen.
• Applications are accessible on one screen
• Keyboard and mouse are optional
• Ease of access to Audio, pictures and Videos

Connections

Some of you will have access to a internet connection, others may not. If you have a friend or relative who is new to the internet but would like it to keep in-touch.

You may assist them in selecting a service which would meet their usage, for example an unlimited internet package may not be suitable to them unless they are going to be subscribed to netflix or making many video calls.

If they are just using the internet to look at the internet and interact with people on social media and respond to emails then a package with a lower data allowance/lower bandwidth will do.

 

Ratings Economy

As a technical person, who works on electronic devices and provides advise on technology, which a person should purchase based on their usage. I have utilised device ratings and customer reviews when looking for appropriate devices.

As a people we should look to purchase products and provide reviews, rather than just liking or to favourite a product or a service. The effect of just liking or to favourite, based on reading about or just seeing a post which looks good has no benefits for the business owner in the long term.

There are ways in which providing a rating and review can help with the prosperity and improving your experience with that business, which can include

• More people will be aware of other people who have the a product.
• A community of users can be built who can have a say in how the product is developed to meet your specific needs.
• There may be giveaways or rewards for more loyal custom and genuine product feedback.

In this increasing internet purchasing age we are now using more and more customer reviews to purchase, this should be the same with black businesses if you have used the service then you should comment or leave a favourite, rather than if you have not.

As a consumer you will know the importance of a customer review. If people just like or favourite a product it does not say much. A comment about a past experience will help otherwise it is pointless as a company cannot provide the same great service/product to more customers due to your actions.

Films And Distribution Online

Recently, I have been watching some films online, via a rental service. This was a documentary to do with black people and our history. This was a rental hire online where the film was available for rent.

The films are not usually advertised (not to say they are not available) for rental on the persons website who is promoting the visual content. Providing an option of renting the film online would be an option for those who do not want to commit to purchasing a copy of the film.

If you are making a film you may consider, making your film available for rental and purchase streaming. The early adopters may watch the film, provide comments, blogs and videos reviewing the final product which would allow (if good) for you to make some income, before the film is made available to DVD for further sales.

There are different services which can facilitate you in digitally distributing your film, below is a list of some distributors but not exhaustive:

YouTube – Monetize and self advertise.
Createspace – Rental and Purchase from downloads, gain royalties.
Distrify – More for filmsharing and creating a community.
Indiereign – 70% + Paypal fee (3%) A market place where you can put your video content for sale or rent.
Pivotshare – 70% of the final fee Will assist you in selling your video content.
Reelhouse – 94% you can distribute your content to your audience.
VHX – 90% can distribute the film directly to your audience.
Vimeo on Demand – 83 – 96 % can cover your delivery and distribution costs.
Fetch APP – 100% but you would need to be part of a plan which ranges from $5 – $500 Per month. This can be downloaded videos which can be integrated with WordPress, Shopify, and others.
Gum Road – Can provide you with a platform to sell your content on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Soundcloud or a Newsletter.
Intelivideo – 90% cut with the monthly charge of $4.99, £24.99 and $99.00.

This list above shows that you are able to use a online provider to distribute your work digitally and you can on most of them set up a rental and a purchase scheme for a percentage of the sales fee or for a monthly sign up.

There are other sites, and ways in which you are able to distribute the film this could be through selling the content from your website

Making your content available online for rent and as another option to buying the stream or physical DVD can be the difference between no sale and a smaller scale.

Audio And Visual Plugging

Remembering back to the late 80’s and the early 90’s when
I would listen to pirate radio stations which would play
reggae and black music. These were ways in which black
people could play their music on the UK as the costs to
get a radio mast would be huge and for a Licence to play
songs this would be large too.

The radio stations still exist (on Analogue radio and as
internet radio stations) today in towns and cities across
the UK with a Afrocaibbean population. This is because we
originally created them to play our songs and music,
which would not be played on mainstream radio. Despite
them being illegal, many reggae artists do shout outs to
these radio stations, as they are channels which can be used to
bring more awareness of their music and songs.

The thing which these radio stations did which many of
the black people who talk about enlighted matters dont do
is promote local black owned businesses. As a kid when
recording these stations annoyance would set in as the
adverts would play but as a more enlightened adult I like
and understand the need for these adverts.

This links into the point of view that the enlightened
persons who provide information for black people should
have adverts on their audio and video posts for
businesses which are local or regional to them and some
of their following.

This will be useful to those with a large following and
the advertising would be for businesses which are
relevant to the demographic of the audience. On pirate
radio local black businesses advertise and you begin to
find out which businesses exist in that town or city and
also what events are going on locally and regionally.

As well as being able to provide opinions and information
you may also provide information on local businesses on
your videos and radio shows. The finer details in terms
of economic details for both parties are to be discussed
between yourselves.

Black People And Social Media

Social media has been important for black people to communicate with the breaking of news and sharing of information.

The thing, which we should consider is productivity, if you are productive then you will be on social media less and less.

Productivity in this blog is considering the use of skills or knowledge to create something beneficial for your people. I only see people posting old information re sharing news items and complaining about new things.

We all use social media to keep up with information and things in our interest areas. Using social media to keep up with black social, economic and political news can be one dimensional. There seems to be a pattern present a idea, debate then repeat the process again.

There seems to be very few who get up and go especially those who have a following. They can be responsible for a rise in followers and videos which are posted. Some even have podcasts but they do not have anything which points towards them doing action.

The thing to consider is how can you use social media effectively without living a social media reality and the real world is neglected.

How many of these people who do videos, plug other black businesses products, provide you with economic empowerment. There are some of these persons who provide events, or workshops though they are few and far between considering they make videos.

There was a video I saw with a guy saying Mexicans worked together on a derelict house in his area. Within 24 hours it was a different house as several people chipped in to work round the clock on the house.

This is an example of working together, black people will in a room say they will work together as the idea sounds good but when you turn up 85% of them wont have bothered or will be interested in something else.

The original and continuing aim of upliftment information is to provide information and resources where possible to improve the lives of black people to some degree.

The content is not the best or the greatest but the perspective it is written from hopes to provide you with a different insight which others dont provide.

The use of social media should be for sign posting and information gaining rather than extended debate. The energy for debates should be expressed in working as a group or team on more practical activities to support the forward movement of the things we debate and discuss.