I have been running a project on my Lingamish blog to record a series of Cyber-Psalms. I’ve encouraged people to choose a favorite and record it for uploading. The most popular method so far has been using Gabcast. I originally thought it would be too complicated but several people have succeeded (although one failed). I gave them the codes that they needed and then they informed me when they had done it.

You can see the list of recordings at Gabcast: Cyber-Psalms

The sound quality is surprisingly good.

In thinking about this technology I can see a number of applications for the developing world. Language documentation through story-telling. Or local news reports. Or audio Bibles. Having a guy on the ground with a microphone would be a lot simpler but the possibilities are intriguing. In the case of my project, half a dozen people participated who wouldn’t have otherwise. What’s the equivalent factor that would get people talking in Africa?