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shaynevan
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Posts posted by shaynevan
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There is a lot of room for improvement in the web/email based information sites as well as telephone based, and the following is an "open source" project suggestion.
Instead of everyone doing a lot of web searches for information on particular people and posting all over causing repetition, the information sought and available (two databases) should be systematically organized into two master databases and all websites should point to these two to every visitor.
Instead of everyone going to a few websites which get overloaded and often crash, there should be a standardized database which can be distributed to various websites to reduce the load.
Then a list of participating websites could be made available.
Having worked for both a national government and also having been involved in UN and NGO international relief efforts, I can say that many government and NGO people do their best, but the very nature of these bureaucracies and approval systems can make them very slow and often the conceptual designs not completely adequate.
In a tragedy like this, the government people should share their database information.
This is not a major effort as regards custom programming, web hosting, and call centers.
The most difficult first step is getting people to move away from browsing and quick postings, and towards an organized, systematic, and simpler process.
The information from various sources needs to be put together. A standard database with many fields is created, and NEW information from various sources (hospitals, embassies, web visitors) is imported into this database. Of course, the data won't come in the same format, but it is easy to reformat it for import, or even to just have someone retype it.
After each round of updates, the master databases can be distributed around to the mirror sites.
As I see it, there can be one database, but there might be two databases: people accounted for (safe, injured, and dead), and missing people.
There might even be a third database for expats who were not known to be in the affected areas but who just want to say "I am OK". For example, even though I work and live in Bangkok, I received emails from people asking if I and my family are all OK. I also run a website here, and I have received requests to contact expats who are supposed to be in Isaan and other places but their relatives want to make sure they are OK and didn't go to the Andaman Sea -- because they haven't contacted home. This third database could be separate in order to reduce the work in the first two. NOTE: CONTACT YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
The databases should be simple PHP format and easy to install.
They should export to simple text or very simple HTML files for sites that just want to list the file for a Ctrl-F text search, rather than install the database (which isn't simple for many webmasters, and would lose them). This text version can be distributed, too.
Instead of linking to someone else's website, you can put it on your own and help out with the load. Importantly, on the link, you should state the date and time of the latest update.
As phone call inquiries are in much greater numbers than website inquiries, and most people affected are not as computer literate as us, there will need to be call centers where people can phone and ask a computer operator. The computer operator can just get on the web and go to one of these sites. Or their own site. Or their own hard disk. Or their own printout in alphabetical order.
The fields of the database (and of course you can add to this):
Source(s) of data (particular hospital, embassy, web visitors, etc.)
Source's record number
Assigned record number (by our own database)
Status (safe, injured, dead, missing)
Nationality
Surname
First name
Gender
Birth date in ##-Month-####
Age (don't make people do math on the birth day)
Is there specific information this person was expected to be beside the Andaman Sea? (Yes/No)
Believed regional location at time of tsunami (Phuket, Krabi, etc., or "unknown")
Known specific location (hotel, beach, etc.)
Mobile phone number
POINT OF CONTACT, name
POINT OF CONTACT, email address
POINT OF CONTACT, phone number
End of record, but you can suggest additional fields.
It is important to know that there are many people who don't use the internet at all, and countless more who don't know how to use it well. In many cases, the affected family is depending on a relative, friend, or other associate (such as a call center) to do the searches.
In fact, calling the affected family to ASK if there is an update may not be the best thing to do. These people are often jumping up in hope every time the phone rings. It is often better to have a designated POINT OF CONTACT, and everyone who is worried about their family member should call that point of contact.
We should not get complicated at first, but should get it out.
After this is up and running, then we can look at specific things like generating custom reports, e.g., by nationality.
Again, this is not a complicated project. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. The main challenge will be getting people to switch from browsing & semi-random postings to a disciplined project.
I can do some of these things, but some I cannot do. I run my own two servers, which are already a bit overloaded with multiple clients' websites running on them; nonetheless, I can manage this if we can get a few ISPs to donate servers temporarily -- ISPs in both Thailand and overseas. I cannot do PHP programming and I no longer have a PHP programmer in-house, but I have managed them before. (I can do only HTML, unix stuff, some Photoshop, but mostly project management.)
What do you think?
Who is willing to commit to helping?
Your thinking is correct. Fortunately what you are proposing is happening as we speak.
1. The Australian Government has promised $500 Million in aide. An important part of this is to set up in Phuket a DNA ID Lab. This lab will process data from all affected countries. It will also serve as a model for future events.
2. The company that provided the DNA analysis for 9/11 the Spanish Train disaster. Bali bombing -the world leader in Disaster Management has been retained by the Australian Government to lead the way in the Phuket lab.
3. The UN in conjunction with other relevant agencies will set up a Tsunami early warning agency in Thailand. Also a new "Early Warning" for private persons is available via Email.
4. Crisisnetwork.org is woking with various agencies to assist where they can.
a) creating a layer on top of all Thai hospital , govt and other databases to create a single source of information.
creating a SMS early warning solution. c)creating other solutions for Disaster preparedness and recovery.You may already know about the facial recognition technology that allows you to upload a photo of someone to imediatly compare against the govt database.
This is of course not so much, but many organisations are working together and Thailand seems to becoming their loction of choice for regional services. This can only say and reflect how highly Thailand is considered by the International Community
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But anyway this is my opinion nobody have to be agree with this.
For my selves i will stay away out a place like this, i think i can not stand to see so much dead people around me, wounded people, people how lost everything, tourist how are trying to find people back, thai people how lost familys.
Eric
Once cholera breaks out you'll not be the only one staying away.
I and my friends live here. We have been helping out - taking pick-up trucks full of water food and clothing to worst hit areas. Also did 2 days moving dead bodies at the temples in Takuapa. You have no idea. Stay in Spain, you are the sort of scare-mongering tourist Thailand can do without. Many of us own businesses here and rely on the tourists coming EVERY DAY. If i could, i would stand in arrivals at Don Muang shaking the hand of every tourist arriving. God bless Thailand and it's wonderful people.
Well spoken. I wish I could be there, standing next to you, but I can do more from here.
Also what a lot of people don't understand is how resilient the Thai people are. Being mostly Bhudest and Musliem they beleive in reincarnation or that if you die in good ness you will go to a beter place. i don't want to give a leson in religion here as I am not qualified, but I have lived with and know the Thai character. They are amongst the most strong and positive peoples I have ever met. I only wish that if a disaster happened here in Sydney that we could act and feel as they do. Lots of sorrow, but also lots of courage.
Kind regards,
Shayne
Kind regrds, Shayne
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Dear reader,
Are people less than animals??
I am very angry on the people how are still going on holidays to Thailand and the other countrys how are hit.
I can not believe that people arriving, and going to the hotel laying on the beach and pretend if there is nothing happened.
Maybe a few hundred of meters away the dead bodys are laying on the street.
I hope that this idiots will see so much disaster and dead bodys that they suffer for years.(mental)
I think you have no brains if you just go on holidays to a place like this and do if there is nothing happened.
Yes i believe you still can enjoy your holliday, but not on Phuket or the other hit places.
People still searching for the love ones and than this stupid people comming for hollidays.Maybe because they loose there money.
Terrible.
If i was the Thai goverment i kicked out all this people out of my country.
Why dont they go to Koh Samui, Koh Pangan or North there are no problems, they dont walk in the way.
Only people how are helping had to be in the area.
And in this time the Thai people shows again how they are.
Great people.
Sorry for this negativ mail.
Eric Nagtegaal
Spain
Hi Eric.
I understand your emotions and this is a very subjective matter. Some of these people may have sved up for sevral years to have a holiday of their lifetime. and then disaster strikes. What do they do? If they stay at home they loose quite a bit of thir funds already expended. and not to mention the time and effort to get time off work and all their emotional thoughts. Then the hotels that a welcoming them. They are going to have unprecidented losses this year. They neeed more than anything revenue. Other businesses that are strugling, only one thing can help them survive, and that also is revene, now - latter is too late. I know this is not easy to understand and I am certain that these travellers will display a lot of consideration for the current events, but all the aide thats going into Thailand does not reach the everyday business.
I have been closely invlvolved with this situation and have people on the ground in Phuket coordinating all the databases for furhter identification in conjunction with governments. But I can tell you. its not blcak and white - its Grey. Many businesses owned by Thais are so greatful for new tourists. PS> I lived in Thailand for 15 years and understand some of the thinking and emotions involved.
Kind regards.
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Anyone seen or heard of Phil Price, owner of VIKING DIVERS on Koh PhiPhi - any information would be greatly appreciated.
Try Uploading a photo of your friend to FACE-RECOGNITION software. This works online and matches photo against database that is currently being compiled in conjuncton with the authorities. Because it matches 1,700 points of reference including ferensic features it can work on images that may display deterioation.
Link can be found at www.crisisnetwork.org
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Hello
I am trying to contact a friend. His name is Benjamin Abel, he's a Yank. He and his girlfriend Elizabeth North were staying at the Princess Hotel on Koh Phiphi. They were inside their bungalow when the wave hit. His GF was trapped under the rubble for 90 minutes before being found. She was taken to a hospital in Phuket then transferred to Piyavate in BKK is serious but stable condition.
Benjamin has not been seen since the disaster, and we have not been able to find his name on any of the Internet lists (although searching them is extremely tedious and error-ridden).
He is 30 years old, 188 cm tall and weighs 77 kilos. He has a tattoo of a triangle with the word "pride" on one foot (no, not gay pride if that matters to anyone).
His photo is here:
http://cliffbamford.smugmug.com/gallery/334919
If you have ANY information please contact me at [email protected].
If you know of any lists of survivors or victims for the Phang Nga or Phiphi areas please send those as well.
I am acting on behalf of Ben's parents who are obviously worriedf sick.
Try Uploading a photo of your friend to FACE-RECOGNITION software. This works online and matches photo against database that is currently being compiled in conjuncton with the authorities. Because it matches 1,700 points of reference including ferensic features it can work on images that may display deterioation.
Link can be found at www.crisisnetwork.org
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Dont know the guys surname but his name is Barry, wife name Pu and son Fred, they live in Kata. Barry if your out there and have the time get an e-mail sent to your mates as am sure there are many of them who are worried about you and yours.
Try Uploading a photo of your friend to FACE-RECOGNITION software. This works online and matches photo against database that is currently being compiled in conjuncton with the authorities. Because it matches 1,700 points of reference including ferensic features it can work on images that may display deterioation.
Link can be found at www.crisisnetwork.org
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www.CRISISnetwork.org has a links lots of the missing persons lists for Thailand as well as lots of contact details and hotel damage reports etc.
Also Online FACE-PHOTO Recognition Software that compares photos against current database.
creating a SMS early warning solution. c)creating other solutions for Disaster preparedness and recovery.
Low Life Scumbags
in Thailand News
Posted
Of course it is indeed unfortunate that incidents such as theses happen. But you must understand that anywhere in the world, when a crisis happens, similar actions by individuals and corporations happen. It is the nature of some to take advantage. After being involved in several like situations I have only the following to say - In western countries a lot more advantage is taken causing much more harm, but is not in the press. The people involved also have the power of coverup.
This aside, For ones own sanity, especially if you are personally involved, you must grasp the good and disregard the bad (even if real) as what is needed now is hope and positive reinforcement, not negitivity.
Kind regards,
Shayne