@Taran – I can’t comment specifically about the environment in Trinidad & Tobago, but the purpose of sharing these stories is so that other people interested in using FrontlineSMS, or other people who may be experiencing similar challenges to Georgia and her neighbours, know that there is something they can do, however small and insignificant it may be on a larger scale.

I also don’t think that this alert system is meant to replace or be seen as a better solution to existing ‘services’ or procedures, but as a supplemental one. It makes sense to make use of whatever technologies are available, and mobile is obviously part of a wider social media mix. I agree that it would be great if an emergency SMS number existed – in whatever form – but right now it doesn’t, so while people battle those particular challenges others will seek their own (perhaps temporary) solutions. Things like generating transparency are obviously far wider battles, even if they are hugely significant.

Many mobile-based projects aren’t trying to be cutting edge, and few are going to win awards any day soon. But that’s not why people do them. If SMS can provide a solution to a local problem, people should have the opportunity to implement them, and if FrontlineSMS helps move some of that forward then I’m more than happy with that. This is what the long tail is all about.

There are certainly huge challenges out there, but sometimes they just have to be tackled one small chunk at-a-time.

The good part is that, with proper *local* exposure, Georgia’s project could be used as leverage for more internet penetration within Trinidad and Tobago. Certainly, anyone can SMS (though it seems the 40+ demographic does not, and they are typically those most affected) – but to derive long lasting benefits, access to OTHER information must also be had.

You’ll recall my stance has been the equivalent of an emergency number for SMS messages is required. That stance has not changed; however what I see here is something also needed with Trinidad and Tobago Law Enforcement: Transparency.

So it’s good. But how good it is remains a factor of how much it is used. I stopped fighting that battle 2 years ago. Perhaps some others shall run into the breech…

@Taran – Nice to hear from you again. It’s been a long time! The really interesting thing about Georgia’s project is that, to me, it shows the potential for mobile solutions all the way to the end of the long tail – small community groups looking for simple solutions to something which represents a significant problem to them

On the flip side, the email functionality is a problem in T&T due to the geodigital divide…