Feral Jundi

    Another new technology that is being used in this current war is Ushahidi Mapping Software.  All this does is map what is going on in a conflict, based on various reports from the field from anyone with a SMS enabled phone or computer or using news aggregates.  The problem I have with this system is verification.  Hamas or the IDF could easily tap into this and contribute false reports, to paint a picture of what they want the public to see.  If there was an accurate way to verify, like only accepting reports that have multiple photo or video showing the same thing from different angles, along with a time/date/description stamp system, then maybe this might be somewhat useful.  Until then, I only see this being used more as a propaganda tool.  As you can see below, Al Jazeera is playing around with it, and it is kind of cool to flip through the various info and reports. But who are these folks making the reports, and how do I know they are telling the truth?  The truth after all is the first casualty of a war. 

   Now what I see as a good use for this tool, is for disaster relief.  Mobile phones and text messaging are often the only survivors amongst the rubble of disasters, and you always see these being used to a great extent during and after a disaster.  Sometimes only text messages can make it through, and something like this might be a great way for aid agencies to tap into the needs and emergencies of the victims.  

   Although, the key component of this technology is a population that have mobile phones, and having plenty of working towers to reach these folks.  I do think a mobile cell tower system is a vital component of today’s disaster relief, and should be one of the top priorities of a disaster.  Then once that tower is up, to implement a SMS plan, of reaching out to everyone via their phones, and giving them the preferred method of reporting–using text messages.

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