Living in the students accommodation, I don't really have access to a TV. So I use the internet to stay in touch with the world and keep myself updated. I woke up on 11th March and turned on my laptop to check my email and facebook (my daily morning ritual.) It was actually through Facebook that I found out what had happened in Japan. My first instinct was to contact my two Japanese classmates and find out if their family and friends were alright. But this one link which was posted by one of my ex-collegues at Google struck me. It was the Google person finder.
And then I noticed that a lot of my friends who're still working with Google had posted it. I sent this link to my Japenese friends immediately. But what really struck me is how social media has evolved and come to affect our lives everyday - some days more than others!
I did some further research on this person finder tool and found out that Google has launched similar Person Finder applications to help locate missing people during the Haiti and Christchurch earthquakes and other humanitarian crises. It’s all part of Google Crisis Response, which – as well as the Person Finder tool – offers maps, links, resources and real-time news, video and Twitter updates on the situation
Most of the mobile networks were down, not letting people locate or contact their loved ones. However, data networks are still operating in Tokyo and many have turned to social networks or VOIP services like Skype to contact their families and friends.
I know this blog is for a class. But why not use social media to spread the word. This is why social media exists - to connect and communicate. Please share this link with your friends and family; facebook it or tweet it. Google is offering an amazing service for Japan. Let’s be a part of it.
Sources : http://www.freepeoplesearchbyname.info/google-person-finder.html
http://wallblog.co.uk/2011/03/11/google-launches-person-finder-tool-following-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami/
http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/857831-japan-earthquake-google-launches-people-finder-to-track-down-missing-people
Google has come up a great idea. However I can't help thinking does the People Finder could really be helpful to find missing people? In my opinion, for those people who survived from the earthquake they would definitely try to get in touch with their relatives and friends by all means just like you said using Voip, Skype and so on, why would they use People Finder; for those who are still missing, people finder is not of any use either.
ReplyDeleteBut it's still a great way to track people. Check out this link. http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/18/googles-person-finder-helps-japanese-locate-missing-loved-ones/
ReplyDeleteThe whole point is to appreciate the fact that some corporates still genuinely care and are giving back to the community.
Yes, I do not know how much this tool works with the persons who are still missing.However, when I monitored the link you posted, I have to admit that I was shocked about the fast evolution of social media in our days. This is a very good idea by Google in order to help people find their families or friends.Indeed, social media tries to connect, spread info and communicate with people around the world.
ReplyDelete