This only reinforces my belief that a wiki might have been a much better medium - not only would these pages be separate yet part of a faceted collection and linked to each other, it might have been much easier for someone to navigate and jump in and post as well. Or to open a new page that they felt was relevant without checking back with admin. Morover, the layers we might have wanted would be so easy to build. And few entry barriers about asking whether they could post or not. Owned by all - a true community.

I've been reading your blog for a while, but this post really resonated with me. I've got some friends over in Southeast Asia, and it's been difficult navigating all of the blogs and forums, trying to find info on their whereabouts.

Over the last few days, I've been thinking a lot about wikis (or blikis) and disaster relief. I'm wondering about the implications of the web community joining together to create an "emergency response" team or wiki to serve as a clearinghouse for information and communication in the event of future disasters worldwide. Seems like it would be great to have one central location for all info, so that survivors would know where to post updates, and relatives could track people down.

I'd love to help out on a project of this sort. Does a site like this exist? Where can I find others who'd build it with me?

Hi Melanie,
The weblog I mentioned above is working on this, though I may not have been clear about the address. It is:

tsunamihelp.blogspot.com

Also, if you're interested in wikis, there are a number of providers and companies.

This page on Wikipedia has a lot of resources: Wiki Software

If you want to get started on a wiki, you can get a hosted and free but limited version from SeedWiki

Hope this helps Melanie.

In response to the devastating tsunami in South Asia, UJA-Federation of New York has set up a special emergency mailbox to collect funds for relief efforts. Donations can be made online at www.ujafedny.org/tsunamirelief, by sending a check made payable to “UJA-Federation - Tsunami Relief Fund” to UJA-Federation of New York, P.O. Box 27877, New York, NY 10087-7877, or by calling the Donor Center at 1.212.836.1880 with credit card information. More information about the Tsunami Relief Fund can be found at www.ujafedny.org. One hundred percent of the funds collected will provide direct assistance.

Hello. I received this from a good friend. Please help if you can.

Dear Glennis;

This is Geoffrey Barton. I'm the Volunteer Minister In Charge in India and
we are desperate.

50,000 dead and a million homeless. There are 2 of us and a team of Tibetan
Buddhist monks we trained headed for Chennai. Please get your whole group
to help us with money for food, train fare, and mattresses.

We need $5000 as soon as possible as we have to support the team.

I've got materials and a huge group moving. Help is on the way but we need
funds so badly.

Geoffrey Barton

You can contact the Volunteer Minister HotLine for information on donations:

www.volunteerministers.org
vm@volunteerministers.org
1-800 435 7498