Re: [SOCALWUG] Tsunami Disaster Relief with Wireless

[HQ54]

In a message dated 12/30/2004 10:00:39 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: 100,000 people die in a devestating tragedy and you want to give them wireless internet? You people make me sick! Bryan Michael While the tragedy is totally devastating, certainly the peoples desire to help in any way possible, should not make you sick.   First, right now of utmost importance is water, food, and medical supplies.  But please don't forget how important communications are.  While you may see wireless internet as a way to surf the net, download videos and music, conduct business, and just plain fun, but communications of all sorts is very important.  Those that are "missing" but still alive, who have no other way to communicate with loved ones all over the world, could e-mail their family to let them know their status.      Hospitals, shelters, relief agencies have a need to be able to communicate with each other for disaster relief.  Agencies in the devastated areas could use the internet to communicate with their bases of operations in other countries, to "order" supplies, or to request what is needed.   This is not unlike Ham radio operators responding to provide mission critical communications for ambulance and police personal when their communications are knocked out.   Or providing "health and welfare" information from locations with out communications in the wake of such a tragedy.   True, internet is not the number 1 concern, but certainly, communications of any and all sorts, ranks very high on the list.   Michael