OK, this is a very personal post, a rant if you may, but I think it’s time today to highlight some intelligent use of mobile technology that has been greeted with annoyance in an emergency situation.

The Australian bushfire situation has made news around the world, and the drastic situation has affected many people I know, and three weeks after the initial event which is being called “Black Saturday” there are still major fires still burning.

Now the Victorian Police took an innovative approach to alerts to extreme weather events, and actually SMS’ed every body in the state of Victoria yesterday, to alert them to extreme events forecast for today. It makes sense, and it should be welcomed, I mean any effort to save lives in this extraordinary situation, should be welcomed.

I have TWO great fails that broke my heart today, one a story on ABC radio, @774melbourne, said that a lot of mobile users were annoyed to get the alert, come on guys and gals, is it that much of an inconvenience, or do you just want to remain oblivious to the situation because it doesn’t directly affect you?

And for the person that was complaining about the vagaries of Melbourme’s weather this morning, on the train station, yes it was fitfully trying to rain, yes it wasn’t gonna spoil your Armani suit, yes it might help change the fire situation, No you might have to put up with it no matter how much you spend on a suit!

I just don’t get the lack of compassion!

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