– Manningham Leader 19 December 2012
WHAT’S the smartest thing to do when you encounter a computer problem? Call in a hacker, of course.
The Warrandyte Community Association has added to its bushfire-ready strategies thanks to global philanthropic organisation Random Hacks of Kindness.
The group is preparing two programs that will be accessible through the associations’s website next year.
Project manager Jodi Clark said the spirit of the recent event, where the two strategies were among those devised by hackers, was “fabulous”.
“Six random guys sat down together, having never met before, and there were no egos, they just got on and worked really well together,” Ms Clark said.
In consultation with WCA, the hackers have devised a real-time bushfire webpage – which will have constantly updating information from the Bureau of Meteorology, VicRoads, CFA and Twitter – and an automated bushfire survival plan application.
RHoK Melbourne chairperson Simone Esler said local communities were often best placed for providing on the ground support in times of emergencies.
“RHoK’s purpose is to bring together people who are experts in technology with those who are experts in natural disasters,” Ms Esler said.
“Our motto is ‘hacking for humanity’ and that is what our volunteers do – use their technology skills for social good.”