Hey all, I am interested in convening some folks interested in using Drupal to connect small groups of people at the block level.
Do you live on a block where you would like to do the same?
We had a murder a couple houses down the other week and we need to get our block organized. While most of this organizing work isn't about technology, I am interest in how to best support communication among 100 households that can also reach off-line and into e-mail boxes for the folks barely online. Folks have also asked about urgent group sms communication ... like, "I just scared a burglar off, he is heading south in a Ford Pinto ... see if you can get the plates."
Anyway, I was wondering what folks think of this as part of the solution:
http://drupal.org/project/voipdrupal
To me the ideal basic feature set is:
1. Secure neighbor directory feed/updated through web form fields
2. Ability to save to PDF with print layout for directory
3. Ability to see neighbors in the directory (opt-in thing) on a map
4. Group messaging with posting via web or e-mail
5. Urgent group notices via text messaging, ideally many to many - again opt-in
6. Voicemail access, robo-calling option for urgent messages like a phone tree - again opt-in, ability for those off-line to call in a leave voice message for neighbors as a group (ideal might be voice to Google Voice, auto-transcribed, then e-mail to group)
Some context on current data contact collecting:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/3YA5q3wz1sUH0fyy4Swx6m
The crime:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/2eL7ye8jr349vJgdtGFgMK
Who would like to have coffee to discuss this idea?
Steven Clift
Comments
How about this Thursday?
Steve:
Thanks for posting! I think you'll find a number of people willing to talk about ideas such as this. It would be great to bring this to the user group level and add it as a topic for an upcoming meetup. This would allow a broader group to weigh in and become involved. I've seen this group have a history of exploring larger ideas at our general meetups and breaking out into smaller specifically-focused action groups comprising those with the capacity and interest to follow through with projects. For instance, we have been known to set up "sprints" to brainstorm and hone ideas or bring them home once coding is warranted. It would be great to include ideas like yours from outside the general Drupal community. It helps widen (and deepen) our growing communities of practice and make them more effective at addressing community needs and interests.
Okay enough general response. What I mean to say is, if you're available, we have a standing TC Drupal Happy Hour every first Thursday starting at 5:30 ish at the Blue Nile on Franklin. This month's happy hour is this Thursday, December 1st. You should come! I'll be posting the announcement tomorrow. Feel free to add a comment to the event noting you'll be there and are interested in talking about your idea. I, for one, will participate.
Thanks!
Barry Madore
Triplo
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN