Peer-reviewed research paper

Communal computing and shared spaces of usage: a study of Internet Cafes in developing contexts

Research paper by: Jason Hobbs, jh-01, Johannesburg, South Africa

Monday March 26 2007, 10:45 - 11:30AM

We are investigating Internet and Web usage in Internet Cafes in Johannesburg. The key hypothesis is that, unlike in developed contexts where the perceived use of Internet cafes is by travelers and those 'passing through', Internet cafes in developing contexts are the primary means of Internet connection for many people. They may travel some distance to use these cafes on a regular basis. Research in Africa has shown that Internet cafes are often used by locals for business purposes or as a secondary venue for connecting when connections go down in private business locations.

The users we are investigating do not have access to information on a private desktop or 'in the next room' when at a cafe. A better understanding of these users, their needs and context influences how we design for them. If we are to take Internet cafes and the needs of their users to heart, then there must be a new approach to impacting the user experience in a 'community computing' or 'beyond the desktop' environment.

We will present the findings of our research into the relationship between these cafes and their users, how Internet cafes are being used and how they assist people in performing daily life and business functions. In addition, we will present recommendations for designing Web-based services based on an audit of websites juxtaposed to the insights we gain through our research.

The key question is: "Are we designing appropriately for users in these spaces?"