Comments on: Building Digital Life Lines during Disaster http://lirneasia.net/2008/05/building-digital-life-lines-during-disaster/ LIRNEasia Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:51:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Chanuka http://lirneasia.net/2008/05/building-digital-life-lines-during-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-5660 Chanuka Wed, 07 May 2008 01:59:32 +0000 http://www.lirneasia.net/?p=2503#comment-5660 Agree with Rohan that such services are important only after the event, and perhaps their value overhyped. Nevertheless, it is better to have something than nothing. Not many developing nations can afford the type of technology they bring. If local telecom companies are geared to take such a challenge then perhaps we may not need them. Agree with Rohan that such services are important only after the event, and perhaps their value overhyped.

Nevertheless, it is better to have something than nothing. Not many developing nations can afford the type of technology they bring. If local telecom companies are geared to take such a challenge then perhaps we may not need them.

]]> By: samarajiva http://lirneasia.net/2008/05/building-digital-life-lines-during-disaster/comment-page-1/#comment-5659 samarajiva Tue, 06 May 2008 11:41:28 +0000 http://www.lirneasia.net/?p=2503#comment-5659 I think it would be more accurate to say that these kinds of services are of value AFTER a disaster event, rather than during one. Also we need to place these stories in perspective: what percentage of people can and do use these kinds of bespoke services? In Sri Lanka, after the 2004 tsunami, they were marginal. They place western actors on centerstage and therefore get media play. We who are close the ground should be skeptical about these external-actor narratives. I think it would be more accurate to say that these kinds of services are of value AFTER a disaster event, rather than during one.

Also we need to place these stories in perspective: what percentage of people can and do use these kinds of bespoke services? In Sri Lanka, after the 2004 tsunami, they were marginal. They place western actors on centerstage and therefore get media play. We who are close the ground should be skeptical about these external-actor narratives.

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