Use Twitter to let family know you're ok in disaster

[TheChrisFleury]

Thanks for posting!

[michaelguk]

if u cant use a phone how would u get a network to twitter????????

[pugmastaflex]

Good idea. I just can't stand the idea of using a webapp that just reeks of vanity. It's like myspace and facebook on steroids.

[JAXON9211994]

legit

[rexharrisonline]

Hi David, this is an amazing video... production is great... wow.  One of the best YouTube videos I've seen yet. Very cool!

[mystykit]

I have a question about the number of characters you mention. Are you stating a minimum or a maximum?

I sure hope if a disaster happens something will work. The greatest fear is that NONE of the systems will work, say as in worst possible scenario. Something with EMF effects that would harm the networks?

But for all other, great ideas here. Thanks for the tips and I just subscribed. Looking forward to more.

[WDavidStephenson]

Sorry: you need to look at Twitter again. This "rubbish" site is now used by the President-elect of the United States, major news organizations, and a lot of very mature, focused adults. You're screwing yourself if you let rash judgments get in the way of sound preparations.

[99camarosupersport]

I think the consensus of those who hate Twitter is, who cares what you're doing? If you care; call, visit!

Because it's become a pop culture phenomenon does that make it good or useful? I personally don't think so. I will never be on there myself. To those who will that's their call, best of luck! :)

[awsedwer]

Sounds like a good idea

Unfortunatly I would be comparatively "screwed" in a disaster apparently, since neither me, nor my family use such a rubbish site as that.

Better hope theres no earthquakes :O mind you this is Japan so I don't hold out much hope for that ;)

[sthrnynk]

Another problem would be the elderly. I have tried and tried to teach my parents how to check voice mail and texts. I even wrote the instructions down. They still can't do either.

[WDavidStephenson]

That's definitely a valid issue: what things like Twitter can do is meet needs of some people, allowing 1st responders to concentrate on those, such as elderly, disabled, who aren't reached otherwise.

[you2tooyou2too]

Of course it MIGHT not work in a disaster. No part of a disaster plan can be guaranteed. During a disaster, you will use the parts of your plan that will work at that moment. That is why you MUST practice your plan, so you and your family stay familiar with your current resources.

[WDavidStephenson]

Exactly! I refer to all of these options: Twitter, Flickr, Qik, etc. as parts of the "mix" -- you try all of them, not knowing in advance which will still be operative.

[torontocanuck82]

This is retarted. If there's a disaster, then there's a disaster. Big deal.

[WDavidStephenson]

What the heck are you saying? Don't communicate in a disaster? That's "retarted"

[twocentsworth]

Excellent! Extremely important. Of course if we can make this standard advice then we can get people OFF of land and cell phone lines and keep them for those who really need them!

[rudyiking]

I would NEVER rely on the internet in an emergency to relay data.

[WDavidStephenson]

Would you prefer the official Emergency Broadcast Network, which was inoperative during Katrina, while text messages still got through? Internet isn't infallible, but must be part of the mix.

[rudyiking]

The internet can be seen as more of a tool on your utility belt, rather then your only safety line.

As a Radio Amateur, we are taught that sometimes when there is an emergency sometimes we can't count on normal modes of communicating including but not limited to text messaging. While using Twitter isn't a bad idea, people also need to realize that they may need a different means of communicating besides their cellphone.

[briandigital]

An awesome idea for saving bandwidth. Comments: 1) I wouldn't say kids are the primary users of Twitter. 2) Twitter goes down all the time. not terribly reliable, esp in life or death situations. And it doesn't always deliver its messages reliably. Another consideration is that Twitter doesn't yet have a source of income...

PS - I heard a founder of Twitter was inspired by a previous job involving the 911 system where they were always checking in with 1st responders to check there status.

[WDavidStephenson]

oops: I hadn't commented on this. I think when I wrote this Twitter was primarily used by students, but now it's my main means of communication & the most followed user is the president-elect of the USA! Still are reliability problems, but I'm seeing the "whale" far less now (does worry me they have no revenue model..) I'd love it if you hear any more about that rumor....

[joec0914]

While it's a good idea to use Twitter in theory, and it's certainly worth trying, this video is sort of naive on a couple of levels.

1. If it's that big of a disaster or emergency, the mobile network will get overloaded no matter what because most people will still use voice. So what makes him think a short code message will go through either?. Duh..

2. If it's a natural disaster like hurricane, tornado, flood or earthquake, the mobile network will likely not be functioning at all.

[touqen]

Voice and data are typically on different networks (based on my research on the topic). So while voice might be overloaded, there is a chance data will still go through, unless you you are on Sprint/Nextel as Push To Talk is transmitted over the data network.

[WDavidStephenson]

The reason is that texting DID work on 9/11, Katrina, bridge collapse AND wildfires. because it's packet-based it stays queued until it can go through, and can route around disruptions.

[WDavidStephenson]

Just saw this comment, from a year ago. Actually, more and more people are wising up and actually do use Twitter in disasters, witness the current California wildfires. And, yes, the mobile networks have continued to work, albeit with some interruptions. Objections overruled..

[connecticutman1]

Another useful tip... Keep'em coming.