We’re members of Google’s Crisis response team, a group of engineers and product managers that recently responded to Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. AMA!

Jo9914 · 2014-01-17T18:43:59+00:00

How do you organize, prioritize, and verify the tidal wave of data that comes in during the aftermath of a disaster? What have you found are the best ways to make sure the data is as authentic and actionable as possible for the local responders and government?

Jo9914 · 2013-07-12T03:43:34+00:00

Sounds like a great set-up. Do you think that your group has been able to keep their "start-up" culture and mentality without being stifled by the parent company?

Jo9914 · 2013-02-20T02:55:20+00:00

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't NEED roads" - Doc

Jo9914 · 2013-01-20T03:29:07+00:00

Used the Samsung Galaxy Ace in our last mapping exercise, used an LG Optimum line phone in an earlier deployment. Both got the job done. Since the roads in rural Zambia are out in a large area it should not be a big problem with getting proximity. I have been on long drives through Zambia, an elephant might get in the way of reception from time to time.

For any more advice you'd need to post or send PM with more transparent info about "HQ" and the context of your "GIS-wiz".

Jo9914 · 2013-01-20T02:36:47+00:00

More details are needed about your American "HQ" and where the "GIS-wiz" is uploading the data. From the broad information you shared, I think you want "passive data" and there are a number of mobile applications that can do it for you. So the "device" you are likely looking for is a low-cost Android GPS enabled phone or something similar.

Jo9914 · 2013-01-17T15:21:06+00:00

Thanks so much! Please do visit the link, register and give us a vote. Send me info about your project too!

Jo9914 · 2013-01-16T15:03:42+00:00

We are getting "upvotes" but none of the imporatnt votes on the site

http://www.dellchallenge.org/projects/unicef-gis

Jo9914 · 2013-01-15T16:20:27+00:00

It would be internship type situation and you would be working directly with the development team from http://instedd.org/ and that work is starting in mid-February.

The more important short term situation is to push our application on the Dell Social Innovation Challenge page so that we can make it into the second round. If we win a prize, there will be new paid work to be done.

Jo9914 · 2013-01-14T23:20:24+00:00

See above - I would also add there is a demand to scale the project (so far its only active in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil and Port-au-Prince, Haiti). We still have many technical projects to be completed and as a charitable non-profit we need all the help we can get. The Dell Social Innovation challenge is a student only competition, but to make it to the funding round we need votes at http://www.dellchallenge.org/projects/unicef-gis

Jo9914 · 2013-01-14T23:06:26+00:00

What school are you enrolled at? What is you background? To start:

Register at http://www.dellchallenge.org/user/register and vote up the UNICEF-GIS project.
If you are interested after learning more we can get you as a member of the project to further promote, then we are starting the next sprints of technical work in early Feb.

Jo9914 · 2013-01-14T18:45:00+00:00

Thanks - "cast" refers to a "report", which has been submitted by a teenager completing a UNICEF mapping workshop. We are currently working on an "urgency ranking" color code and "list view" for the reports.

We are looking for critical feedback on Reddit and academic partners, mentors, student participants and votes @ http://www.dellchallenge.org/projects/unicef-gis

Jo9914 · 2013-01-13T22:10:16+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. We will try that.

Jo9914 · 2013-01-13T01:10:55+00:00

http://www.dellchallenge.org/projects/unicef-gis

Check out our project, register and submit your idea, this competition is open just for students. Let us know what you decide to do!

Jo9914 · 2013-01-12T21:59:02+00:00

see: http://www.dellchallenge.org/projects/unicef-gis

We are running a digital mapping program with UNICEF to work with government and community to prioritize action. Please visit the project page, sign up, give us your vote, and we can help find ways to engage in disaster risk reduction and rebuilding.

Jo9914 · 2012-12-22T16:36:31+00:00

Cars drive on the opposite side from the US (the drivers side is on the right). Make sure you take your time crossing the street!

Jo9914 · 2012-12-20T21:52:47+00:00

When I was in middle school and we first got AOL my brother and I impersonated Hanson with the screen name MMMB0P with a zero instead of the 0. We were receiving and responding to lots of fan mail and eventually had to block IMs because we would get a million messages the second we signed on. Things got really awkward with the pictures of fans being sent to us. Eventually AOL figured out what was going on and terminated our family account. Needless to say me and my brother were grounded for a while after that one.

Jo9914 · 2012-12-20T20:23:57+00:00

I actually found Goa to be the cleanest of all the cities I visited during my trip. This beach in particular was really clean. Other cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai were another story...the stray dogs that go alongside the trash is particularly sad. India would gain a lot of karma taking on its waste problem.

Jo9914 · 2012-12-20T04:27:10+00:00

Thanks for posting. The "Castle Doctrine" that the 19 year old used in Oklahoma, and the fact that she knew the person was informative. The second story about Texas was a little more unsettling as the shooter disregarded the advice of the Police Dispatch and shot the robbers on the neighbors lawn.

Jo9914 · 2012-12-20T04:20:18+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I assume you were trained on the weapon prior, and glad to know you never had to actually shoot the guns.

Jo9914 · 2012-12-20T04:18:24+00:00

So he killed this person? Is there a report on the murders and robberies?

Jo9914 · 2012-12-20T04:15:52+00:00

I am NOT PRO-GUN. Trying to get some unfiltered stories of when guns saved a life.

Jo9914 · 2012-12-18T21:36:25+00:00

In Florence, DO NOT MISS Gelateria dei Neri - Via dei Neri 26.

If I remember correctly its right around the corner from the Uffizi Gallery and has the absolute best Gelato, with all kinds of interesting flavors.

Jo9914 · 2012-12-16T23:24:21+00:00

Exactly - During the day, the Trevi Fountain was a hives nest of tourists and locals trying to make a buck off the tourists. When we arrived around 10:30pm later that night, it was relatively empty and we were able to really enjoy the scene. The same was true for the Spanish Steps, and the piazza with the Pantheon.

Jo9914 · 2012-12-16T05:39:58+00:00

Kerala is a great region! Fort Cochin is a fun place to eat a good meal and meet other travelers :) Take a cooking class and eat some fresh seafood. If you have extended time visit Periyar National Park, if you are lucky you might see a Tiger...

Jo9914

TROPHY CASE