%0 Journal Article %J Open Source Business Resource %D 2008 %T Reducing Global Poverty and Disease with Community and Technology: An Open Source Perspective %A Cliff Schmidt %X Literacy Bridge, a non-profit technology startup, is using open source software (OSS), open hardware, and open content to solve some of the world's most challenging problems: global poverty and disease. Through the development and application of a digital audio device, Literacy Bridge's Talking Book Project is designed to make access to information available and affordable to those who have the fewest resources but the greatest need. This article summarizes the Talking Book Project and describes how six aspects of successful open source projects are being applied to improve global literacy and access to information. Most importantly, this project demonstrates the power of combining community and appropriate technology to change the world. %B Open Source Business Resource %I Talent First Network %C Ottawa %8 10/2008 %G eng %U http://timreview.ca/article/198 %N October 2008 %9 Articles %1 Literacy Bridge Cliff Schmidt is the Executive Director of Literacy Bridge, a non-profit organization empowering children and adults with affordable tools for knowledge sharing and literacy learning. Prior to founding Literacy Bridge, Cliff ran a successful open source consulting business, specializing in intellectual property issues and community development. He has served both the Eclipse Foundation and The Apache Software Foundation, where he was elected as a board director and appointed Vice President of Legal Affairs.