TMTOWTDI

• This post is part of a series I am writing for a class on New Media. Some technical explanations may seem unneeded or lengthy, but I am writing for the benefit of a very intelligent but less technical audience.

Hurricane Ike is a prime example of the advantages of our ever-increasing interconnectedness through the Internet and wireless services like cell phones (and hopefully eventually, ubiquitous Internet through WiMAX).

Facebook & Twitter

Pre- and post-storm, these three services helped everyone stay connected and informed about each other in ways not possible just a few years ago. The usefulness of Facebook is obvious: the quick and easy way to update your friends about how you are doing (or to complain to your friends around the country) was, and is, to update your Facebook status. Anyone can do this via text messaging from their cell phone, as well as respond to Facebook messages and Wall posts, Many people can browse all of Facebook from their phones, Blackberries, and iPhones too. And, of course, people have slowly regained access to laptops, making updates, and especially checking your friends, as easy as usual.

An especially awesome service that has become hugely popular with the web-savvy crowd has been Twitter. Twitter explains itself best:

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

Twitter is an example of a Microblogging service. You can update your Twitter account using text messages, their regular and mobile websites, and multiple iPhone applications. My favorite feature is the Twitter Facebook app that automatically changes your Facebook status to your latest Twitter update; both the status and Twitter fulfill the same concept of microblogging, but Twitter is a better-designed service (though oft-plagued with reliability issues). One last cool Twitter feature is that any developer can connect to the software using its API to create cool new services and software such as the Facebook app and their own Twitter search engine. Twitter is a perfect example of a Web 2.0 site.

Texting

Cellphone texting was and is hugely useful during disasters such as Ike. I used it pre- and post-storm to first wish everyone safety, and then after to check in with people. Cellphone companies recommend that during disasters, it is best to use text messages instead of voice to communicate, because otherwise the cell towers become overloaded (It’s not as much of a problem now, a few days after the storm, but I still have been getting more “All circuits are busy, try again later” messages when I try to make calls than I ever have before). AT&T (and the other providers as well I’m sure) sent out public health and safety messages on behalf of government agencies such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reminding people to not use generators indoors and to drink bottled water only. Texting was extremely useful to everyone for person-to-person communication, and with its market penetration, texting really makes the mass dissemination of urgent information in a crisis easier than ever before in history.

A random note: What I found especially intriguing was how for the first 8 hours after the storm, I had better cell service in my house than for the next few days. I think some cell tower sites have backup power supplies or generators that last for the length of most normal power outages, but obviously this storm pushed the backups far beyond the time they would be needed for normally.

Websites & Blogs

For anyone with mobile Internet access, the hands-down, easiest way to stay informed was through the websites of major news channels here in Houston¹. All news sites had mobile versions of their websites set up, and some even offer text message alerts to your phone. Many news channels set up oft-updated (and easily updatable for them) blogs.

1: For more on why the Internet is best, see the “Evaluation” section of my Media Portfolio assignment on Hurricane Ike news coverage

Automated Phone Systems

As all Emery High School students know, automated phone systems are a useful way to notify a large group of people in an emergency about events such as school closures. The EWS website was updated throughout the storm as well. What is notable about phone systems is how today, anyone can set up one of these systems using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and Asterisk (open-source telephony software). Telephony services which used to be the purview of the telephone companies only can now be done by anyone on the cheap. Wow.

Email and other services

Email played a huge role for emergency services in this disaster. Most communications within the emergency management offices, and between themselves and other offices and the media, were done using email. They most likely were not using public Internet access lines, or switched over to as the city lost power, special emergency wireless links. Email is most convenient for the quick dissemination of both time- and non-time-senstive communiques.

One other notable media service was the simulcast of many TV stations’ coverage on FM and AM radio stations. One of the more low-tech, but most reliable, ways to stay informed. Also relevant to a discussion of radio’s role is my aforementioned media portfolio assignment.

Looking Ahead

There will be more disasters. According to many seismologists, California is past due for a large earthquake, and we all know that the hurricanes are relentless. For the next times, for everyone in the country, people need to be more aware of the multitudes of various resources available to them. News stations need to inform viewers in high risk areas; everyone needs to be informed and prepared.

With knowledge of the myriad methods of communication, we can sit secure on the eve of a storm knowing we won’t be subjected to one of our greatest fears: not knowing what’s going on.