FrontlineSMS

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Wow. FrontlineSMS.

Of course, there's all this talk about Ushahidi lately but we can't forget about FrontlineSMS and everything it provides to non-profits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The amazing thing about FrontlineSMS is, all you need is your personal computer and a cellphone - and an old cellphone is preferred :) And yes, no Internet is required. Now, imagine the information you can share with both Internet and FrontlineSMS.

The iGetcha team has put FrontlineSMS on a Linux machine (which we assume is much more complicated than putting it on a Windows machine), and we love it! Nonprofits should really consider the value of this system. Basically, you can use your mobile number to receive/send messages between groups of people interested in your nonprofit mission. Some cool initiatives include Bullyproof and FrontlineSMS:Medic.

It operates on Java and once it's set up, you can start your "SMS 4 change" or "Text 4 Peace" initiative ;) The most incredible aspect of applying this system to a project is that it lowers your costs and has a ubiqutious reach because of your cellphone . Remember, not everyone in the world has Internet so "Tweets 4 change" doesn't reach everyone... Also as we mentioned, you do not need a fancy smartphone to use FrontlineSMS and right now, Frontline doesn't support phones such as Android. But what that means is, you can ecycle an old cellphone :D

Although we're in the "developed" world right now, the iGetcha team has members that have volunteered abroad and those that have volunteered abroad would want to know about successful FrontlineSMS initiatives that have been implemented overseas. These sites will give you ideas for initiatives if you're sitting in a hut somewhere using a mobile for Internet on a laptop ;)

On the technical side, if you want to install FrontlineSMS on a Linux machine, here's a tip from the community to get it working and also, remember to set you USB default connection to data connection :)

FrontlineSMS is available in Chinese, English, Finnish, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swahili.

Good Luck!

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