How to set a FB page / group? Question from an ignorant to the knowledgeable

[alyx]

Hey

Due to certain development back home and some events here in Thailand, I have come to realise that it was imperative that as many people as possible can be reached ASAP in order to help each other , e.g: This morning I received a text asking for help regarding a woman in urgent need of blood O-. I got it at 10 AM and some people were stil sending me messages at 10 PM who had just got the news

The best way I am aware of, allowing as many people as possible to be reached instantly is Face Book.

The point is that I am a dinosaurian and have never, and will never, had a personal FB page.

My idea is to create a page , or a group, but I understand that the access is different and some different actions need to be taken, to post the topic and send notification automatically to the people who are aware of its existence, for, in return, help with whatever is needed

Can anyone guide me through?

Of course I would like everyone to have access and post any emergency messages, but I am afraid that, from a legal stand, this could be troublesome as I wouldn't be monitoring the group 24/7 nor intend to do so.

They would have to sent an email and I would, then. post it.

On the other hand this would put quite some limitation to it.

Sorry if I am not clear but hope someone from this community will help.

( be patient with me...I don't have a clue about Internet )

Thanks

[KittenKong]

Would Twitter do what you want?

Personally I dont do FB or Twitter or any other sort of social media, so I'm not sure.

[alyx]

I don't either as I prefer the regular source of information as in not being solicited every second.

Thank you for your answer: yes, kind of twitter but with less interaction

One my friends suggested, today, to create an application that "in the know" users could download as ( and I agree with him) there are more phones than FB users.

My next question is: can anyone, here, do this kind of program on IOS and other androids ? Or know anyone able to do it?

What would be the cost?

[RichCor]

I think it's important to know what social media method your 'audience' uses consistently for instant communications.

Email, Twitter, FaceBook, LINE, WhatsApp, even phone SMS.

For instance, here in Thailand I know of very few common Thais (non-professional) that have an email account, but most are glued to LINE and FB.

In the US, most of the people have email, many subscribe to FB or some other instant message service. Younger millennials may be Twitter followers.

If you hope to get the word out 'fast' then you'll want to adopt one or two social mediums (and maybe even connect them so one delivers into another).

Also, hopefully you'll adopt a system where the messages/responses can be moderated so the message is can be as clear, direct and precise or can be edited for clarity if needed, and has a single contact point and point of reference so everyone willing to act are on the same page.

Any 'call for action' will also have a shelf life, an eventual 'change state' downgrading the immediate call for action, updates, clarifications, follow ups and final resolution.

Hopefully whatever you adopt allows for a 'resolution' announcement to any of your posted pleas. It's really frustrating when someone re-tweets for forwards messages for something where the call for action has already evolved (change state) into ongoing need or has a resolution (ie: missing child that are quickly found but the 'child missing' message keeps getting retweeted/forwarded for years).

[alyx]

Hey

Thanks for the extensive explanation

I think that an application being downloaded on the people's phone would do the trick: of course it would take a while for everyone in that specific community (20/30.000) is aware it's existence, although I have the means to have the word out very quickly, but once they do have this app it would be quite simple, for the admin, to post a message: as the thrphird party would see their app blinking.

I think that an interactive app would be too difficult to moderate, not withstanding the litle jokers who think that it is all right to play with important matters.

The mean of response would be a dedicated e-mail, phone number etc...

Of course the idea of linking this app to other medium is interesting but some of us like anonymity and the app is kind of an anonymous way of conveying a message

Can anyone in Bangkok, or elsewhere ( as I guess this is feasible anywhere ) would be able to program it?

[RichCor]

If you already have a dedicated 'group' or association of people in place that are willing to monitor a common channel and selectively appropriately respond to a call for action ... then having your own Apple and/or Android app written shouldn't be too difficult. Though, as you've already asked (suggested) the message medium could easily be a social media app where members subscribe to a private group to receive instant messages.

Unless you want to spend money developing a special-purpose app, temporarily adopting a social media app and getting people to subscribe to a 'private channel' would probably work for now (and allow you to collect information on what 'features' the group needs if you develop your own special purpose app).

[alyx]

The message medium could easily be a social media app where members subscribe to a private group to receive instant messages.

Unless you want to spend money developing a special-purpose app, temporarily adopting a social media app and getting people to subscribe to a 'private channel' would probably work for now (and allow you to collect information on what 'features' the group needs if you develop your own special purpose app).

Thanks (again)

I am glad you are here ?

If I may, what free app would you suggest and how recognisable would that be to the user. Furthermore "high jacking" this app would mean receiving unwanted notifications, wouldn't it ?

The second option would be "owning" an app: who would/could do that?and do you have any idea about the cost ? I imagine there are some licence involved

Thank you for taking the time to answer

[RichCor]

FaceBook would be the natural choice, as a private group could be set up.

Upside is that most members would already have this app on their smartphone, maybe subscribed to other groups, so adding your private group (becoming a member) wouldn't require anything special.

The downside is that the 'members' could become overwhelmed/distracted/annoyed by other notifications occurring on the FaceBook cosmos, interfering with the intention of your group.

Take a look at this article

6 Ways To Create Your Own Private Social Network

MakeUseOf | by Nancy Messieh | October 22, 2013

Further, a google search may provide further ideas, google: create your own private social network

[alyx]

Hey

As you have mentionned , distraction is the main trouble and FB, Twitter are no no

That is why I want to go for the tailor-made application if the cost is not prohibitive and ( as you have understood it by now ) find someone who can do it

This way this will only be distributed to the group, hopefully, who will react accordingly to the notifications as these will be rated High Priority with no advertisement or any other nuisance of the kind unless some bozzo has the bright to try and hack in medium aiming at helping/ informing others

[RichCor]

The biggest issue is that anything you use will need a backend, a server and pre-developed program to pull everything you need all together.

Suggest you look into these links first, to discover what's already out there.

FirstResponders.gov (a subsite of U.S. Homeland Security)

Mobile Phone Apps for First Responders

Index (multiple pages) to Articles concerning First Responders, and First Responders and Technology

Nixle.com multi-stream notification

When you need to reach people quickly, email and manual call trees just don’t cut it. Nixle for Business lets you reach out using voice, email, SMS texting and social media at a moment/s notice. Perfect for Emergency Notification, Weather Events, IT Incidents, Facility Problems, Safety Issues, Tenant and Customer Communications.

AppCrawlr.com

(search for apps by topic)

First Reponder

17 Group Messaging Mobile Apps

practicalecommerce.com | by Sig Ueland | August 24, 2011

[alyx]

Hey

Thanks for the details

First responder and group messaging seem to be the most appropriate

Nixie seems to be quite efficient but that means that I need to have access to personal details for the message to reach its target whereas some do not want to disclose private elements such as emails or phone numbers

The goal is for the people interested, to be able to download and be notified when, and only when there is a need for it

I'll read more about that this evening

Thanks