Finally have 1/2 a day to luxuriate in back copies of The Economist. Came across an article about mobile phone sensors and the future of data gathering. A great read and especially apropos The Extraordinaries in its closing paragraphs:
"Some computer scientists look forward to the day when mobile phones and sensors can provide a central nervous system for the entire planet. An abundance of sensors, they believe, will lead to two things. First, the amount of data will increase, allowing scientists to build more realistic models. Alessandro Vespignani of Indiana University compares the current state of affairs to weather forecasting a century ago, before satellites had provided meteorologists with the data to build and optimise mathematical models. When it comes to problems such as tracking and predicting the spread of diseases and other environmental hazards, he argues, scientists can never get enough data.
Second, once people are able to contribute data to research projects from their mobile phones, it could provide an ideal way to broaden public involvement in scientific activities. This would be the next logical step after the popularity of web-based participation in scientific research, from folding proteins to categorising photographs of galaxies. Eric Paulos, a computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, predicts the rise of “citizen scientists” able to measure and sample their surroundings wherever they go. When people can report mundane variables such as the level of traffic noise in their street or the degree of air pollution at the bus stop, he argues, their outlook on science changes. “People develop a relationship with and a sense of ownership over the data,” he says. He foresees amateur experts being driven by a new sense of volunteerism, the 21st-century equivalent of cleaning up the neighbourhood park."
Every time we turn around, there seems to be another article about crowdsourcing and volunteerism. The moment is ripe.
Featured Today:Countdown to the Decision With
roughly 135 days left until the International Olympic Committee makes
their city of choice announcement for the 2016 Olympics, candidate city
of Chicago and all it's die-hard fans can download the iPhone app: Countdown to the Decision
to show their support. Each day gives you a new fact about Chicago 2016
preparations, the city, and the history of Olympic and Paralympic
games. For more information on iPhone apps that support non-profit
organization, click the 'NonProfits & iPhone' category.
What is it? "On
October 2, 2009, the International Olympic Committee will decide which
Iternational city will host the 2016 Games. Help show your support and
make Chicago's dream a reality by downloading "Countdown to the
Decision". "Countdown to the Decision" is a daily countdown to the
International Olympic Committee decision. It also includes a daily
Chicago image and Olympic Games fun fact. Flick left to view previous
Countown images and facts."
Our buddy Josh Nesbit from FrontlineSMS:Medic is doing some great stuff with Hope Phones, and we hope you'll help promote this excellent new campaign! Here's the press release:
Stanford, CA, 18 May, 2009:
FrontlineSMS:Medic today launched www.HopePhones.org and Hope Phones, a nationwide mobile phone collection campaign supporting mHealth programs at medical clinics in over 30 countries. The campaign will make use of old cell phones in the US to provide phones for clinics and healthcare workers in the developing world.
Cell phones are valuable tools in the battle to reduce disease and illness. The field of mHealth - the provision and coordination of health-related services via mobile communications - is blossoming in response to a global shortage of healthcare workers and the demonstrated impact made by simple, mobile tools.
Hope Phones will make use of the nearly 450,000 cell phones discarded every day in the US. HopePhones.org allows donors to print a free shipping label and send their old phone in to The Wireless Source, a global leader in wireless device recycling. The phone’s value allows FrontlineSMS:Medic to purchase usable, recycled cell phones for healthcare workers.
“Hope Phones lets you give your old cell phone new life on the frontline of global health. That’s powerful,” said Josh Nesbit, Executive Director of FrontlineSMS:Medic. “Just one, old blackberry will allow us to purchase 3-5 cell phones for healthcare workers, bringing another 250 families onto the health grid via SMS. Old phones can help save lives.”
FrontlineSMS:Medic is an nonprofit organization advancing rural healthcare networks in the developing world through the implementation of sustainable, appropriate technologies delivered through mobile phones. Its first pilot project distributed cell phones to community health workers in 100 rural villages in Malawi, saving thousands of dollars in travel and hospital costs and doubling the number of patients treated for tuberculosis in the catchment area. Stories about FrontlineSMS: Medic projects have been featured in CNN, Discovery Channel news, the BBC, The Guardian, PC World and Reuters.
The organization uses FrontlineSMS, a free, open-source software program that enables large-scale, two-way text messaging using only a laptop, a GSM modem, and cell phones. Their pilot implementation model places a laptop running FrontlineSMS in a central clinic and distributes cell phones to healthcare workers to coordinate care with patients in peripheral villages. Their programs currently serve 1.2 million patients in Malawi and Uganda. Future development of the FrontlineSMS:Medic platform will encompass electronic medical records and diagnostics at the point of care.
Coupled with free, open-source software, the hardware provided through Hope Phones will scale mHealth initiatives, connecting thousands of clinics worldwide to remote healthcare workers and patients. The campaign was designed in partnership with Wieden+Kennedy – the global advertising agency of the year in 2007 and the creator of Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign – with support from kiwanja.net and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Simple ways to help:
1. Visit www.HopePhones.org and donate your old phones. 2. Spread the word! • Email your friends, family, classmates and coworkers. • Post on Facebook and become a fan of the Hope Phones page. • Tell the world on Twitter - use #HopePhones as a tag so we can thank you. • Let us know if you want the Hope Phones widget for your website or blog. 3. Contact us at info@hopephones.org if you’d like to help set up a Hope Phones collection center.
Media inquiries: Josh Nesbit Email: josh@medic.frontlinesms.com
Cut-and-paste tweets and Facebook status updates:
Hope Phones launches! Donate your old phone to medical clinics in the developing world. http://HopePhones.org (please RT!) #HopePhones (134 characters)
HopePhones.org launches! Mobile phone donations a game-changer for medical clinics tackling HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria #HopePhones (135 characters)
HopePhones.org launches! Give your old phone new life on the frontline of global health. #HopePhones (100 characters)
US is going through 450,000 cell phones EVERY DAY. HopePhones.org - donate your old phone to medical clinics worldwide. #HopePhones (131 characters)
There's no smarter technologist or more committed activist out there. And his project to create a handheld secure/anon communications device is going to send a lot of oppressive regimes running to figure out what to do next. Nathan stays one step ahead of them. Awesome.
Treading uncharted waters, San Jose Museum of Art is the first art institution to offer interactive audio and video content via the iPhone and iPod Touch. Some of the in-house content includes videos of exhibition tours and interviews of art insiders, gallery owners, and curators. Currently not available as an iPhone app, (at least not yet ;-) ) but rather they designed a web page specifically for use off the iPhone or iPod Touch Safari browser. They also provide a podcast series available at the iTunes store. Click the "Nonprofits & iPhone" category to see all
features.
What is it? "The San Jose Museum of Art is excited to be one
of the first museums in the country, and world, to be utilizing Apple's
iPhone and iPod Touch to deliver interactive audio and video guides.
This guide focuses on exhibitions at the museum and allows our visitors
to delve deeper into the artist and the artwork. Audio and video
commentary are provided by artists, curators and gallery owners, among
others.
You can experience the guide on your own device by pointing your Safari Mobile Browser on your iPhone or iPod Touch to www.sjma.mobi.
If you do not have your own device, the museum offers iPod Touch units
for check out in the galleries. With a Drivers License, state issued ID
card, or a passport each visitor can checkout up to two iPods."
People Against a Violent Environment, a non-profit organization in Wisconsin, commissioned the development of three social good iPhone apps: DV Awareness, Sexual Assault Awareness, and Child Abuse Awareness. These apps are used to bring awareness on various facts regarding each issue of violence with the goal of raising funds and and increasing social awareness.
What is it? "This program was written for People Against a Violent Environment, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Wisconsin that provides direct victime service, as well as prevention education related to domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Each time you touch the screen, a new fact about domestic violence will pop up. There are 31 facts in all, one for each day of October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month)."
Featured today: US Supreme Court - 47 Landmark Cases This iPhone app is a great educational resource for U.S. history buffs, law students, social activists, and those simply interested in learning about landmark cases of the U.S. Supreme Court. These cases helped set precedence on some of the most defining political, economic, and social moments in our history, including Bush v. Gore (2000), Brown v. Board of Education (1954), and Roe v. Wade (1973). Click the "Nonprofits &
iPhone" category to see all
other features. Problem: it's expensive! 15 bucks! Also, again, this is not a nonprofit, but we're having a hellova hard time finding nonprofit iPhone apps!
"We have consolidated into one eBook volume 47 United States Supreme Court landmark cases which have greatly influenced the lives of all Americans. In one place, you have access to all of the most famous cases. A landmark decision is the outcome of a legal case (often thus reffered to as a landmark case) that establishes a precedent that either substantially changes the interpretation of the law or that simply establishes new case law on a particular issue.
Features? Internal links, in both directions, between footnotes and citations within the rulings themselves. Remembers where, in the last case, you were last reading. Does not require internet access. Has ability to tele-read at a settable pace so as to avoid screen gestures."
Here's the third in a series of posts about how nonprofits use iPhone app technology (or, in the case of how an iPhone app is benefiting non-profits / green businesses). Click the "Nonprofits & iPhone" category to see all
features. Featured today: 3rdWhaleMobile
What is it? "3rdWhale's
mobile application for the Apple iPhone lets you power up your green
lifestyle. Find the nearest vegetarian restaurant, fair trade store,
yoga center or bicycle shop. You can also use 3rdWhale Mobile to plan
your next trip. Feel good that your purchases will match your values.
Features? Six Categories: Food, Retail, Eco-Travel, Healing & Wellness, Transportation, and Services. 25,000+ green businesses in most major markets in North America. User ratings and reviews of your favorite green business. Turn by turn directions to your green destination from your current location. Filter green businesses within walking, biking and driving distance."
Just came across this project to empower young entrepreneurs in Nairobi - using mobile phones to coordinate work. They're doing beta tests now with a group of 20 young people. Very nice Web site and videos. I'm not quite getting how they're "use mobile technology to allow more direct communication and trust building between potential donors and recipients" - but sounds very interesting.
Here are their stated goals:
To support young social entrepreneurs in Kenya with professional advice they have requested and provide micro funding (in the form of credit guarantees with their Micro Finance Institution, soft-equity investments for hard assets, and infrastructure grants) for their businesses to grow.
To develop a network of socially conscious North American young professionals and encourage a new generation of philanthropists and activists.
To use mobile technology to allow more direct communication and trust building between potential donors and recipients.
To create a compelling interactive narrative that tells our stories and encourages others to get involved.
"Our new iPhone application brings the latest Seafood Watch recommendations directly to your iPhone or iPod touch. Now you can make sustainable seafood choices quickly and easily—whether you’re eating at your favorite restaurant or shopping for dinner. And at a time when the world’s oceans are severely overfished, your seafood choices make a big difference.
Features? Free, up-to-date recommendations at your fingertips Sushi guide lists fish by Japanese name as well as common market name Regional guides highlight the seafood that’s best in each area of the country New! Search to find seafood quickly and easily within regions."
