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Ushahidi v2 - Mobile.Crisis.Reporting
Challenges Entered:
Why Mobile
Mobile phones are the one ubiquitous technology found all over the globe -if the goal of Ushahidi is to let ordinary people submit reports during a crisis and know of incidents happening around them, then we must ensure that any phone can be used for this purpose.
What
The following features will be incorporated into Ushahidi's mobile development:
• ability to send and receive SMS alerts;
• ability to set up a local or international alert number at short notice;
• ability work on different smartphones;
• ability to send MMS messages (images and video);
• ability to send GPS coordinates.
Who
There is an 8-person team already beginning the work on Ushahidi's mobile phone functionality. Java experts working on J2ME applications for GPRS phones, iPhone and Android developers, a 3-person team focused on FrontlineSMS integration and other SMS connection points, and a design team that manages the usability and functionality on each platform as it gets developed.
When
Development for the J2ME, iPhone and Android applications began in October 2008. The full development team is now shifting into gear for a much broader push into all things mobile that touch the Ushahidi Engine. Our goal is to have almost all of the work done by early 2009 for beta release.
Impact
Mobile functionality will extend the reach and applicability of Ushahidi, especially in the developing world due to the widespread nature of the mobile phones and the simplicity of of using text messages. It will facilitate the ability to draw and disseminate information and alerts among a wider population that may not necessarily have access to the internet.
(Find out more at Ushahidi.com and the Ushahidi Wiki at http://wiki.ushahididev.com.)
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I think Ushahidi is a good
I think Ushahidi is a good idea with a lot of potential, and I'd like to see it develop that potential.
Ushahidi transforming socieies in develping countries
The Ushahidi initiative has impressed me as it has multi uses beyond what the project is all about. There are unimaginable ideas of how this can be utilised especially with the intergration of mapping an sms. This is something that needs replicating and adopting.. Please continue the spirit and will be sharing more ideas on your discussion forums..
good job
Columbia University Mobile Technology Team
You guys have really done a great here. This use of technology holds not only invaluable promise and also hope to anybody who may be in harm's way. Kudos.
If you get the chance, please give us feedback on our child malnutrition surveillance and famine response sytem.
Wonderful team
David and Erik are a delight to work with. If you have any of the expertise Ushahidi is seeking, help these guys out. It will be time well spent.
Many thanks for this really
Many thanks for this really useful post.
ushahidi
Having lived in Kenya for 23 years, this website was a life line during the elections when I was concerned for friends and what was happening to them and the country. I'm grateful for the "witness" this site provided.
Crowd sourcing
This is SO well done. You are going to be "talking" writing, etc... for a long time after this one catches on. See you on the circuit.
Mobility? Are you kidding me?
Ofcourse its going to be brilliant. Mobility is the key this days. You have mobility, you can get almost anything from anywhere.The overall cost or deployment is also very low, and a large footprint almost instantly available.
Hugely important project
Ushahidi is absolutely a project to support. They've taken a leadership role in using SMS technology to help solve a global issue: that of communication in a time of crisis. This has the power to affect massive change and ultimately, to save lives. Bravo to the team for their work on this front.
Ushahidi has done what no
Ushahidi has done what no other project in africa has managed to do, bring together skilled developers from all over africa and the world completely focused on building an open source tool/platform that addresses an important aspect of any community-conflict and crisis. It gets my thumbs up 100%.
Cutting edge, open platform
Ushahidi has developed an advanced, open platform for quickly gathering and sharing user-contributed crisis information. This project has broad implications to alter the way information is gathered and engaged by both citizens, responders, media, and government. The team is top-notch and international and they are engaging both cutting-edge technology and social interactions to ensure the project will be successful.
GeoCommons: http://geocommons.com
Mapufacture: http://mapufacture.com
Blog: http://highearthorbit.com
Ushahidi
This project is extremely valuable to communities in which transparency is limited--not just the Developing World, but disconnected communities such as West Chicago or rural Mississippi. Especially in a crisis, there needs to be a platform to aggregate "incidents" in order for resources and energy to be coordinated, whether food distribution, peacekeepers or medicine.
Ushahidi.com, version 1 gave
Ushahidi.com, version 1 gave a voice to the common Kenyan during the traumatic post-election violence. I read it regularly to get the "on the street" views that were not tainted by political or editorial bias. I am looking forward to what new versions will do for common people around the world who find themselves in crisis situations, whether natural disasters or man-made.
Awesome!
I had the pleasure of meeting founders Erik and Juliana at the mobile active conference in Johannesburg earlier this year. 2 extraordinary people, bright minds, visionaries, awesome project...and he...what a cool video! Ushahidi makes a difference in the lives of many! well done guys!