The South Asian web

How can principles of participatory design help generate a community information system to serve the South Asian diasporic community of Los Angeles? While participatory design has taken root in the development of information systems for online communities, it has rarely been applied to systems that explore and enhance communication within diasporic communities. We seek to apply principles of participatory design in the creation of a digital media system designed to augment the interaction and cultural communication of the South Asian diaspora in Los Angeles. By integrating diverse community contributions according to community-created ontologies, we will build 'The South Asian Web': a living representation and an interactive means of articulating narratives, future visions, and community goals.