sms,MMS, and Push Notificstions

Tue Aug 15 10:42:36 EDT 2017

app push is pretty easy/straightforward in LC, but there are multiple QR's
out to add features/fix things on them.

On Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 11:01 PM, William Prothero via use-livecode <
use-livecode at lists.runrev.com> wrote:

> Thanks, Stephen:
> What we are using as a preliminary solution is a mass sms and/or MMS texts
> and identical voice calls to our 49 numbers, initiated by one of several
> possible initiators who are called if a fire is observed. We are using
> eztexting.com <http://eztexting.com/> for the texts and voiceshot.com <
> http://voiceshot.com/> for the voice messaging. It’s very inexpensive for
> voice $9/mo and 12c for each call. The texts are low cost too. We can enter
> several preset messages that we can choose from, depending on the immediacy
> of action that’s required. So, I figure that there are two tries per event
> and we should get most of the folks. I think another alert channel would be
> push notifications, but for now we’re sticking with voice and text. We
> expect the alerts to be very rare (we hope). I think a custom app that
> could initiate these actions more automatically would be quite nice, but
> the IT for it would take more of an investment than I’m willing to make,
> and there is no money in it unless it would take off in the app store, and
> if I made it general enough for most neighborhoods.
>
> For a bare bones, primitive system, text messages could be sent out and
> initiating a voice call to the group voice provider could be built in. It
> has to be easy and fast for the alert initiator, who would most likely be
> packing up for evacuation at the same time. Push notifications would be
> nice too. One problem is that the initiator’s phone number always appears
> in the voice call and text notification. If a more descriptive sender, like
> “ALERT-XX”, it would be better, but that would most likely require setting
> up a dedicated alert server, and I don’t want to tackle that at this time.
>
> Best,
> Bill P.
>
> > On Aug 14, 2017, at 4:18 PM, Stephen Barncard via use-livecode <
> use-livecode at lists.runrev.com> wrote:
> >
> > If I were to create an emergency alert app, I'd make something that
> stayed
> > alive and was always verifying the existence of a central entity - web
> > site, server etc. and the fail safe is that the user would be alerted
> when
> > out of range.   An 'always on' executable that would have to be carefully
> > crafted to not take up too much battery energy, yet ping headquarters
> for a
> > change every few seconds, then go into alert mode when the latest check
> > reveals the emergency.
> >
> > It would be part of the routine of the wearer (fireman, whatever) to
> 'check
> > in' with the server and verify correct operation, then just keep it
> running
> > all day. The data would be minimal and UDP packets have incredibly low
> > latency - even a voice alert could be sent real time - VOIP.
> >
> > I have no idea how the power usage would be handled in that case - the
> > continuous  pinging could drain the battery too quickly depending on how
> > it's done. But there is the challenge!
> >
> > --
> > Stephen Barncard - Sebastopol Ca. USA -
> > mixstream.org
> >
> > On Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 3:25 PM, William Prothero via use-livecode <
> > use-livecode at lists.runrev.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Thanks. Looks interesting. It also looks like I'd have to learn a lot to
> >> get it implemented. I’ve been using cURL to access an API for water
> meter
> >> readings, and it’s painful, but would probably get easier.
> >>
> >> This looks like a good provider, tho.
> >> Best,
> >> Bill P
> >>
> >>> On Aug 14, 2017, at 1:42 PM, Simon Smith via use-livecode <
> >> use-livecode at lists.runrev.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> I would look at push notifications. onesignal.com looks quiet good,
> just
> >>> not had a chance to play with it yet.
> >>>
> >>> I have found that SMS messages are too unreliable when it comes to
> >>> emergency notifications, sometimes they come through, sometimes they
> >> don't
> >>> and sometimes they come through an hour or so later.
> >>>
> >>> Simon
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Carpe diem
> >>>
> >>> *Simon Smith*
> >>> m. +27 83 306 7862
> >>>
> >>> On Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 9:19 PM, ELS prothero via use-livecode <
> >>> use-livecode at lists.runrev.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> I’m curious. Has anybody done much with push notifications on mobile?
> >>>> There is a lesson on the livecode web site which is quite detailed,
> but
> >>>> leaves out the server side of the equation. I have been thinking about
> >> an
> >>>> emergency alert app and am exploring how difficult it would be to
> >> implement
> >>>> various communication technologies. Texts seem pretty straighforward,
> >> but I
> >>>> was thinking that push notifications might get more attention.
> >>>>
> >>>> The goal is to get the information to the recipient’s brain. It can
> get
> >> to
> >>>> the device, but unless the last (weak link) is traversed, the alert is
> >>>> ineffective. The target time for this is 15 minutes.
> >>>>
> >>>> I’ve Googled the heck out of these topics and there are really nice
> >>>> expensive services that can do the job, but we don’t want to pay the
> >> high
> >>>> fees. Others are marketing oriented, not optimized for emergency
> >> services.
> >>>> A custom app could be ideal, especially with increasing wildfire
> >> activity
> >>>> worldwide.
> >>>>
> >>>> Ideas and info?
> >>>> Best,
> >>>> Bill
> >>>>
> >>>> William Prothero, PhD
> >>>> Professor Emeritus
> >>>> University of California, Santa Barbara
> >>>> http://earthlearningsolutions.org
> >>>>
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> >>
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