What if people do not have internet access?

[Mark A.M. Kramer]

I am trying to think of a way to allow people to still benefit from the resources accumulated here whether or not they have internet access. There must be a way to allow individuals to post a voice-mail offering a place to stay and allowing one to respond in kind.

I am looking into whether we could do this with utterz http://www.utterz.com/ or jott http://jott.com/default.aspx

I will get back with results soon.

mark

[Deanna Zandt]

SMS alert systems would be good as well...

[Andy Carvin]

setting up twitter alerts; reaching out to Utterz too

[Mark A.M. Kramer]

WE would need to find a way to group message people. Twitter is probably the best for this, although not everyone ´has their twitter account setup with sms.

Deanna Zandt said:

SMS alert systems would be good as well...

[Andy Carvin]

I think we need to be realistic about what we can do. Lots of local govts have SMS alert systems; our sites should direct people to them.

Mark A.M. Kramer said:

WE would need to find a way to group message people. Twitter is probably the best for this, although not everyone ´has their twitter account setup with sms.

Deanna Zandt said:

SMS alert systems would be good as well...

[Mark A.M. Kramer]

BarbaraSlavin, just replied to my Utter: "Using Our Voices to Help Others With Utterz"

"The only things I've done is create a blog with both an Utterz and Twitter stream on Gustav.
Here it it is: http://jeffersonparish.blogspot.com/ "

Thank you Barbara!

[Vanessa aka iThinkMedia]

Good points, texting is good because most older people can't but they have children/grand children who can! Phone is good because if you loose power and don't have VOIP you can still use the phone - one reason my parents went back to AT&T instead of VOIP through cable company.

[Andy Carvin]

just talked to the ceo of utterz; he'll see what he can set up for us.

Mark A.M. Kramer said:

BarbaraSlavin, just replied to my Utter: "Using Our Voices to Help Others With Utterz"

"The only things I've done is create a blog with both an Utterz and Twitter stream on Gustav.
Here it it is: http://jeffersonparish.blogspot.com/ "

Thank you Barbara!

[Daisy]

All the NOLA bloggers/tweeters I know are setting up their phones for twitter updates and have shared their links with friends and family. Nearly all have evacuated or are leaving early this morning.

Andy Carvin said:

setting up twitter alerts; reaching out to Utterz too

[Shashi Bellamkonda]

How can we loop in amatuer radio operators who must be mobilizing too and they can convey messages that can be posted on the wiki

[Christopher Carfi]

We've set up a mobile (e.g. iPhone & cell) based system here for Gustav resources here.

[Mark A.M. Kramer]

This is wonderful, and will be very effective. However, we need to also find a way for those who do not use Twitter to also benefit from the information and resources offered.
Daisy said:

All the NOLA bloggers/tweeters I know are setting up their phones for twitter updates and have shared their links with friends and family. Nearly all have evacuated or are leaving early this morning.

Andy Carvin said:

setting up twitter alerts; reaching out to Utterz too

[Mark A.M. Kramer]

Yes, Vanessa you make a great point about giving access to the elderly. I would think that both radio ( amateur radio networks) and voice (mobile) telephony would be the channel of communication would best fit this demographic. Accessing information on a small screen, or trying to read SMS may be challenging for those elderly experiencing the challenges of getting old. We need to devise ways to make important information available through a target phone number, on voice mail and community voice based bullitin boards like Utterz.
Vanessa aka iThinkMedia said:

Good points, texting is good because most older people can't but they have children/grand children who can! Phone is good because if you loose power and don't have VOIP you can still use the phone - one reason my parents went back to AT&T instead of VOIP through cable company.