Staying In The Know.

Today’s New York Press:

“Remember how after the Virginia Tech massacre there was all this talk about whether the carnage could have been avoided with massive text messaging? And remember how school officials thought texting 25,000-plus students would have been a bit too difficult? Well here’s a lofty undertaking: city officials say they will soon begin testing a new program that will alert New Yorkers (eventually all 8-million of ’em) to various crises using text messaging.”

I use The Emergency Email Network, which allows customization of notifications regarding weather, and “Homeland Security” issues. It’s free, and will send updates to your email and/or cell phone.

I also subscribe to the 1010 WINS Text Alert Network, which is New York City’s local (although wide-reaching) AM radio news station. It sends text messages to my cell phone. And since I’m on a Mac, and use BluePhoneElite, those text messages pop up on my screen via bluetooth.

None of these messages are intrusive. I usually get one, maybe two a week. Extreme weather changes, flooding, the occasional steampipe bursts, subway issues, etc.

And just to be sure I’m “in the know,” I use FeedTicker for the 1010WINS RSS feed. Probably more of a distraction, but it’s nice to know what’s going on.

Tags: BluePhoneElite, email, Emergency Email Network, Homeland Security, Manhattan, New York City, New York Press, News, NYC, FeedTicker, RSS, Subway, terror, Text Alert, Transit, Transportation