User Interfaces for the Illiterate Bring Computing to the 3rd World

Scientists at the Microsoft Research lab in Bangalore, India have been working on a project since 2005 that is would enable engineers to build a user interface for the illiterate. Because many people in the world, and 50% in India, cannot read or write, a new type of UI is needed for them. For these users, finding the right picture or icon is key. For example, the usual image used in the U.S. for a home would look like two sides of a home and a slanted roof. However, someone looking for housekeeping work in India might see that icon and assume that it was a hut and not a nice home. In India, the icon for a home would have to represent a two-story dwelling. Some of the scientists' work was displayed at the recent Microsoft TechFest conference. The literate would also benefit from the improved UIs. Notes P. Anadan, the research lab's director, "there's a certain amount of vividness that you get through images and sound that you don't get through text." (via ComputerWorld)