自2005年起政府投入經費執行「創造偏鄉數位機會推動計畫」，由教育部協調統合各部會資源，共同推動縮減城鄉數位落差，於台灣地區300偏遠鄉鎮設立168個數位機會中心（Digital Opportunity Center, DOC），協助民眾增進資訊應用能力，以期有效縮減城鄉間的數位落差。政府投入大量資源，建構良好的軟硬體設施，提供偏遠地區居民一個好的上網環境，乃為降低偏鄉地區數位落差的不公平現象，提供偏鄉地區民眾在資訊經濟時代能夠有取得資訊的公平機會。 本研究乃透過台閩地區數位落差調查2004年到2006年的數據資料，了解台灣地區各鄉鎮之數位表現在各個面向上是否有提升，更進一步探究，政府偏鄉數位落差政策實施的區域，其數位表現分數之起伏；其次，政府根據2002年之調查界定政策實施的區域，至今數位能力較低之鄉鎮地區是否已有變化？有哪些鄉鎮並未被列入政策實施之重點區域，但卻為數位能力落後之鄉鎮？ 本研究所使用的方法為次級資料分析法，資料來源為行政院研究考核委員會於九十三至九十五年，委託學術團體、民間單位進行之三次台閩地區數位落差調查。研究發現，偏鄉地區民眾數位能力低於非偏鄉地區民眾，近年來偏鄉民眾之數位能力雖有進步，但是進步幅度仍小於非偏鄉地區民眾。 在設置數位機會點鄉鎮，其數位表現分數雖低於未設置數位機會點鄉鎮，但設置數位機會點鄉鎮民眾之數位能力確實有進步，且進步幅度大於未設置數位機會點鄉鎮之民眾。數位機會中心點之政策內容，乃為加強民眾在資訊近用上之取得與資訊素養能力之提升，研究發現，民眾網路取得機會增加，但是電腦設備的近用性仍然不足，在資訊素養的提升上是有幫助的，而民眾在工作應用、生活應用與資訊蒐集上之提升，乃政策預期以外之收穫。最後，偏遠程度的確是判斷該地區之數位能力一項重要的依據，然而僅以偏遠程度來判斷該鄉鎮之數位能力，卻是不太精確的，因此在數位落差嚴重鄉鎮之界定上，應以數位落差指標取代地理偏遠指標進行界定，將能夠更精確的界定出數位落差嚴重的鄉鎮，並與數位落差政策作連結。 / In the digital era, computers and networks are important tools to broadcast information among people. People who live in urban areas have deeply felt the convenience that information can rapidly bring about. People in rural areas can not enjoy such benefit since. However, there has been the digital divide due to difficulties to access to resources, inadequacy in computer equipment, non-popularity of network use, and poor ability to use information technology. In order to reduce the gap of digital divide between urban and rural areas, Ministry of Education has implemented the 4-year project for Shortening Digital Divide between Urban and Rural Areas by setting up digital opportunity centers (DOCs). It is estimated that 300 DOCs will be set up in 168 rural areas nation-wide. The Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission (RDEC) conducts the digital divide survey every year since 2001. It aims to evaluate the status of information infrastructure implementation and the results of digital divide reduction. The Digital Performance Score for the individual called Digital Score that was derived from the cross indicator weighting analysis by AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) was helpful in comparing the digital ability among different groups such as people in rural and urban areas. There are three research questions in the thesis. First of all, I use the secondary data, the digital divide survey from 2004 to 2006, to realize the current situation of digital divide in Taiwan. The results reveal that, during 2004-2006 the Digital Score of people in urban is higher than in rural area. People in urban areas made greater progress compared with those in rural area during the three years. People in rural areas still can not catch up with the people in urban. Secondly, to evaluate the performance of DOCs in rural areas, I have chosen 27 rural towns where there are DOCs during 2005. After comparing the towns with DOCs and those without DOCs, the results show that the towns with DOCs have greater improvement for Digital Score. The third research question to assess the categorization of rural areas is appropriate to compartmentalize the Digital Divide areas. A previous study “Strategic Formulation for Public Information Centers in Rural Areas” published in 2002 by the RDEC, has categorized towns in Taiwan into rural and urban areas by geographic and demographics indicators, such as population density and the convenience of traffic. The study uses the secondary data of 2005 to redefine Digital Divide areas by cluster analysis and find that Digital Divide areas are different from rural areas. To categorize digital divide areas, using digital divide indicators is more appropriate than geographic and demographics indicators.

Diese Arbeit untersucht den Einfluss von Kultur und Sprache auf die Nutzung des Internets. Drei Hauptgebiete wurden bearbeitet: (1) Der Einfluss von Kultur und Sprache auf Nutzerpräferenzen bezüglich der Darstellung von Informationen und Nutzung von Suchoptionen; (2) Der Einfluss von Kultur auf Nutzerpräferenzen bezüglich des Inhaltes von Websiteinformationen; (3) Der Einfluss von Sprache auf die Nutzerzufriedenheit und Sprache als Informationszugangsbarriere Daten aus Logfile-Analysen, Onlinebefragungen und experimentellen Untersuchungen bildeten die Auswertungsgrundlage für die Überprüfung der 33 Hypothesen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass kulturspezifische Denkmuster mit Navigationsmusters und Nutzung von Suchoptionen korrelieren. Der Einfluss von Kultur auf Nutzerpräferenzen bezüglich des Inhaltes von Websiteinformationen erwies sich als weniger eindeutig. Aus den Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Sprache ging hervor, dass Sprache Web¬sitezugriff und –nutzung beeinflusst. Die Daten zeigen, dass signifikant weniger L1-Nutzer als L2-Nutzer auf eine Website zugreifen. Dies lässt sich zum einem mit dem sprachbedingten kognitiven Aufwand erklären als auch mit der Tatsache, dass Websites unterschiedlicher Sprachen weniger miteinander verlinkt sind als Websites gleicher Sprachen. Im Hinblick auf die Nutzung von Suchoptionen zeigte sich, dass L2 Nutzer mit geringem themenspezifischen Wissen sich signifikant von L1 Nutzern unterscheiden. Schließlich lassen die Ergebnisse auch darauf schließen, dass Zufriedenheit der Nutzer einer Website einerseits mit Sprachfähigkeiten der Nutzer und andererseits mit der wahrgenommenen Menge muttersprachlichen Angebots im Internet korreliert. / This thesis analyses the impact of culture and language on Internet use. Three main areas were investigated: (1) the impact of culture and language on preferences for information presentation and search options, (2) the impact of culture on the need for specific website content, and (3) language as a barrier to information access and as a determinant of website satisfaction. In order to test the 33 hypotheses, data was gathered by means of logfile analyses, online surveys, and laboratory studies. It was concluded that culture clearly correlated with patterns of navigation behaviour and the use of search options. In contrast, results concerning the impact of culture on the need for website content were less conclusive. Results concerning language, showed that significantly fewer L1 users than L2 users accessed a website. This can be explained with language related cognitive effort as well as with the fact the websites of different languages are less linked than websites of the same language. With regard to search option use, a strong mediation effect of domain knowledge was found. Furthermore, results revealed correlations between user satisfaction and language proficiency, as well as between satisfaction and the perceived amount of native language information online.

全球化時代與資訊化社會的來臨，電腦與網際網路成為生活中不可或缺的要素，儘管至2008年為止，我國有將近七成的民眾透過網路科技享受到更多的便利性，但社會上仍存在著數位落差（digital divide）的問題，數位落差除了使得資訊窮人（information-poor）不易取得資訊，亦將對其經濟、人權等各方面造成影響。故研究目的在利用資料採礦的應用，配合SPSS Clementine 12.0的軟體，探討數位落差的現象，並嘗試找出形成數位落差的影響原因。 　　本研究主要投入人口統計變數以及生活型態變數，並藉由C5.0決策樹、C&RT分類樹，以及CHAID分類樹建立模型，透過這三個分類迴歸樹的模型，發現到「年齡」、「教育程度」、「地理區域」、「個人資產狀況」、「經濟主要來源：子女」、「個人每月可支配所得」以及「收入來源：薪資」共七項變數同時對民眾是否成為數位落差中的資訊富人（information-rich）有著較重要的影響性，因此，研究最後依據此七項進行政策建議，以提供相關單位之參考。 / In this globalized and informational society, computers and internet networks are essential elements in our daily lives. Until the year 2008, almost 70% of population in Taiwan has enjoyed greater conveniences through networking technologies. However, the issue of “digital divide” remains, where information-poor cannot obtain information easily, and the issue affects the society in terms of economies and human rights. Consequently, the purpose of this research is aimed to find the reasons behind “digital divide” using data-mining techniques with SPSS Clementine 12.0 statistical software. 　　The research will input demographic variables and life-style variables. Using C5.0 decision tree, C&RT tree, and CHAID methodologies to build model, and subsequently discovers that whether the 7 variables - “age”, “level of education”, “location”, “personal asset status”, “main source of income: children”, “monthly personal disposal income” and “source of income: salary” will have significant impacts on information-rich population within “digital divide”. Therefore, the research recommendations will be provided according to the results from these 7 variables.

Text in English / In line with the World Summit on the Information Society and with the expectation that this would enable them to advance their development and improve the lives of the population, almost all the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries had developed national information and communications technologies (ICT) policies. The purpose of this doctoral research was to investigate the theoretical underpinning(s) of the national ICT policies of the SADC countries in order to develop a theoretical framework for building an information society for development. The research employed a grounded theory design, utilising the NVivo11 software as a tool to support the analysis of the national ICT policies for the selected 12 of the 15 SADC countries, as well as the interviews of five knowledgeable informants. Content analysis and open-ended interviews were the research methods applied sequentially to develop the Capacitating Theory for Building the Information Society for Development (CaTBIS-4D) for SADC countries, which is the core of the theoretical framework that this thesis proposes. The research found that building an information society continues to remain relevant for SADC countries, and its achievement is dependent on capacitating human, infrastructure and financial factors. Significantly, the research concluded that the perceived failure of the information society project within the SADC countries is due to the arcaneness or obscurity of the recognition that development and the information society mutually reinforce upon each other such that the improvement of one contributes to the advancement in the other. Based on the research findings and conclusions, this research proposes a framework that contends that to build an information society for development, it is necessary/ crucial to capacitate the human, infrastructure and financial factors by focusing on identified economic sectors and social categories within an effective governing and implementation monitoring environment. The research recommends that as the national ICT policies within SADC countries are updated and implemented, the framework proposed in this research be utilised as a basis. Furthermore, the research recommends that the broadest range of local role-players should participate in the information society development project to ensure its endurance and relevance. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

In South Africa, the linguistic hegemony of English over the African languages in the academic field reproduces unequal power relationships between their speakers. The present study shows that an intervention shaped by a counterhegemonic ideology can change the attitudes of Black university students, key players in spearheading social change. Usign statistical analysis and survey methodologies, this research explored the hegemonic role of English as the only language of learning and teaching (LoLT) in the discipline of Computer Science (CS) at Rhodes University. The study found that those speakers of an African language who are the most disadvantaged by the use of English as LoLT are also the most likely to resist a more extensive use of their mother tongue as an alternative. A group of such students were involved in the development and use of an online glossary of CS terms translated, explained and exemplified in an African language (isiXhosa). This experience increased the support for the use of African languages as additional LoLT, even in the Englishdominated field of study of Computer Science. This is an initial step towards promoting linguistic equality between English and African languages and social equality between their speakers.

Le Niger est un pays enclavé d’Afrique de l’Ouest. Son positionnement à la périphérie des pôles essentiels de la sous région explique en partie son retard de développement. A cela, s’ajoute, un nouveau retard, qualifié de fracture numérique. Son parc d’infrastructures vétuste ne lui permet pas de profiter des flux mondiaux d’information pour bénéficier des avantages de la compétitivité de la nouvelle société de l’information. Sous l’impulsion de récents débats internationaux sur les nouvelles technologies, il apparaît que le développement économique du Niger nécessiterait une appropriation des TIC par la population. Dès lors, ces nouvelles technologies de l’information sont à l’épicentre des questions de développement qui se posent au Niger. Cette recherche s’est donnée le but d’analyser le système actuel des TIC au Niger et sa capacité à enclencher le développement économique dans un contexte de mondialisation des économies fondé sur l’information et la connaissance grâce à l’usage des TIC. Elle examine en premier lieu, le potentiel des ressources techniques, humaines et des plans et politiques gouvernementaux en matière des TIC, à l’échelle territoriale. A la suite de cette analyse et des questionnements qu’elle pose, des théories économiques ont émergé : l’économie de l’information et ses dérivées. En second lieu, cette étude explore, décrit, explique, interprète et illustre ces théories dans un contexte d’accès aux TIC. Les exemples illustratifs montrent que les TIC corrigent certaines de ces prédictions. Elles améliorent le capital humain, affinent les anticipations des agents et réduisent le risque des décisions économiques. C’est en cela que les TIC peuvent être considérées comme un facteur de développement économique au Niger. Dans cette révolution des NTIC, les économies n’ont nécessairement pas besoin de passer par l’étape de l’industrialisation comme à l’ancienne. L’exemple de la Chine et des dragons asiatiques le témoigne. / Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa. Its position on the outskirts of essential poles in the under-region partly explains its delayed development. To this is added, a further delay, called digital divide. Its fleet of obsolete infrastructure does not allow it to take full advantage of global flows of information to take advantage of the competitiveness of the new information society. Spurred on by recent international discussions on new technologies, it appears that the economic development of Niger would require an appropriation of ICTs by the population. Therefore, these new information technologies are at the epicenter of development issues facing the Niger. This research was given the objective to analyze the current system of ICT in Niger and its ability to set off economic development in a context of globalization of economies based on information, knowledge and expertise, by using ICTs. Following this analysis and the questions it poses, some economic theories have emerged, the information economy and its derivatives. In the second time, this study explores, describes, explains, interprets and illustrates these theories in the context of ICTs access. Illustrative examples show that ICT correct some of these predictions. ICT improves human capital, refine agents' anticipations and reduce the risk of economic decisions. That’s why, ICTs can be considered as an economic development factor in Niger. In this revolution of new technologies, the economies have not necessarily need to go through the stage of industrialization as the old theories. The example of China and the Asian dragons shows that.

The study set out to investigate the provision of sustainable internet access to public libraries in South Africa. The rationale of the study was to investigate how sustainable internet access can be provided to public libraries in South Africa and to determine how they have developed and are regulated. Internet access is a key driver in delivering information services to the users and a critical tool in facilitating information sharing regardless of platform and geographic location. Therefore, the level of information and communications technology (ICT) penetration in public libraries formed a critical part of the study as the provision of internet to these libraries depends on available ICTs. The study employed a survey design and used interview tool to collect data from nine participants. Questionnaire augmented interviews as they were used to collect data from 322 respondents. The study used the probability sampling technique to collect data from the participants. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants for the interview, whereas the stratified probability, proportional to size, and systematic techniques were also used to select respondents in the senior categories, namely heads of public libraries. This ensured a sample size of 331 out of a population of 1 621 selected for the study. The sample size consisted of nine directors and 322 head librarians. No sampling was done on the nine heads (directors) of provincial public libraries, as the nature of this population did not warrant further dissection due to its small size. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to analyse data. Questionnaires were analysed when they were returned and interviews were analysed when they were conducted. Written descriptions, tables and figures were used to present data in an elaborative manner. Data was also presented through frequencies and percentages. It emerged from the study that most public libraries (97%) were connected to the internet. The findings of the study showed that most public libraries (80%) were connected to the internet through the fixed lines and that each of the nine provinces had its own internet service providers (table 5.12). The study recommended fixed lines for internet access to be laid to all public libraries in South Africa and that a government agency be used as a dedicated internet service provider for public libraries across all the nine provinces. A further study was recommended about the application of an internet access model used by academic institutions to public libraries. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

Many development organisations are initiating programs in Sub-Saharan Africa bringing information technology to community centres, schools, universities, and government institutions. In the United States and more particularly Silicon Valley, California, people are convinced of the benefits of the Internet. An organisation started in this context, Schools Online, has initiated programs in over 31 countries and spent millions of dollars in the South. The study focuses on Schools Online's history, structure, and vision while researching its activities in a rural school in the town of Jinja, Uganda, in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is recommended that Schools Online listens and learns from its beneficiaries when planning an information technology project. / Development Studies / M. A. (Development Studies)

The Diploma work deals with the explanation conceptions of the age and the parallel failures of the changes. Work defines closer specification of senior attitude, need and interests toward (ICT). To improve of senior lifelihood and lifestyle I am introducing the use of ICT. It can be helpful for senior citizens to inter-connect again in the social community. The contemporary trends of ICT are presented here which they are suitable for retired citizens and can be accessibled in the trade. I reclined my opinion during my own work experience as an assistant in project: ``Click by the right button, grandad!``

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects are being initiated and deployed in marginalized areas to help improve the standard of living for community members. This has lead to a new field, which is responsible for information processing and knowledge development in rural areas, called Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). An ICT4D projects has been implemented in a marginalized area called Dwesa; this is a rural area situated in the wild coast of the former homelandof Transkei, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In this rural community there are e-Service projects which have been developed and deployed to support the already existent ICT infrastructure. Some of these projects include the e-Commerce platform, e-Judiciary service, e-Health and e-Government portal. Although these projects are deployed in this area, community members face a language and literacy barrier because these services are typically accessed through English textual interfaces. This becomes a challenge because their language of communication is isiXhosa and some of the community members are illiterate. Most of the rural areas consist of illiterate people who cannot read and write isiXhosa but can only speak the language. This problem of illiteracy in rural areas affects both the youth and the elderly. This research seeks to design, develop and implement software modules that can be used to convert isiXhosa text into natural sounding isiXhosa speech. Such an application is called a Text-to-Speech (TTS) system. The main objective of this research is to improve ICT4D eServices’ usability through the development of an isiXhosa Text-to-Speech system. This research is undertaken within the context of Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), an ICT4D intervention towards improving the lives of rural communities of South Africa in an attempt to bridge the digital divide. Thedeveloped TTS modules were subsequently tested to determine their applicability to improve eServices usability. The results show acceptable levels of usability as having produced audio utterances for the isiXhosa Text-To-Speech system for marginalized areas.