I really like the user-evaluator model you describe Christian. I think the kind of content you describe delivered through maps etc would present some pretty powerfull narratives of change. Subsidising the cost to the user of their mobiles to capture the stories could be build into the M&E budget (e.g. airtime credits for posts)

Hi from Hastings UK. Having a quantitative evidence base for monitoring and evaluating the impact of investments in mobiles in rural areas is important, but until activities are beyond pilot scale this is kind of data is probably going to be inconclusive. At this early stage to get enthusiastic support from leaders in all the roles you mention I am inclined to think that anecdotes are the best bet. This brings to mind a quote attributed to Tom Davenport by Patti Anklam in her book "Net Work". Talking about the measurement that kept early communities of practice sustained in the eyes of corporate bosses (before they could prove their return on investment quantitatively) Tom recommends the approach of "serious annecdote management". By serious I take this to mean rigourous, planned and tactical collection of stories of changes in real people's livelihoods. If these stories are woven in to rich and compelling narratives that will influence leaders to make the investments (social, financial, political) to get beyond pilots and begin activities at scale, then is the time to start collecting the baselines, setting indicators etc (ideally using a blended qualitative / quantitative approach like Outcome Mapping or Most Significant Change becuase of the complexity of livelihoods outcomes that you'll be seeking to understand).

Hi from Brighton UK. My interest in the forum relates to forthcoming work I'll be doing looking at mobiles and social media and their role in sharing learning about the impact of innovations in agriculture. I work at the Institute of Development Studies ([url]www.ids.ac.uk[/url]) on issues of knowledge sharing, learning and change within organisations working on development. I come at these issues from a cultural / social science perspective I guess, but am a practitioner rather than a researcher ([url]http://www.ids.ac.uk/go/people/a-z-list-of-ids-people/jackson-carl[/url]) Looking foward to the debate and thanks for providing this opportunity to get together.