[XML-DEV Mailing List Archive Home] [By Thread] [By Date] [Recent Entries] [Reply To This Message]

RE: Responding to Katrina (offtopic even if XML is part of the

• To: "'jim.fuller@.ruminate.co.uk'" <jim.fuller@.ruminate.co.uk>
• Subject: RE: Responding to Katrina (offtopic even if XML is part of the solution)
• From: "Bullard, Claude L (Len)" <len.bullard@i...>
• Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 09:03:13 -0500
• Cc: XML Developers List <xml-dev@l...>

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/09/08/katrina.data.ap/index.html

A pretty good example of how confused it gets even with the best of 
intentions.  Note:

1.  Different formats.  Can't cut and paste.

2.  Different business rules.  Can't search.

The second one is the tough nut to crack.  As I said earlier, your 
cities are mapped and your utilities databases have most of the 
necessary information.  See item b.

a)  Use Google Earth.  That would be ok but the actual address information 
is highly inaccurate.  Mashups are legally dicey because there is no 
standard for quality.  This is infant technology chasing a mission 
critical business.  I'm glad for it but waiting for the inevitable 
lawsuits.

b)  Use the public safety databases.  Federal and State privacy laws 
interfere but it is the best data out there.  This is an industry 
to customer tangle waiting to happen.

Public open system standards for resources (human, asset management, 
dispatch-to-dispatch), are the right answer.  Opt-in registration 
policies are next (sign up to let your utilities databases release 
information or enter them yourselves).  Make sure that information 
can't be sold or traded (Pass laws.).  Find out if your local gun 
store owners (Wal-Mart, JCs Gun and Tackle, etc.) have means to 
secure their merchandise before they bug out. (Pass laws.).  Make sure that
any 
registered hospital, daycare, nursing home, etc., with hard-to-move 
patients have the resources and the inspectable plan.  Don't take 
their word for it; require it.  (Pass laws.)

len

-----Original Message-----
From: jim.fuller@.ruminate.co.uk [mailto:jim.fuller@.ruminate.co.uk]

technical solutions is part of the 'execution'...it shouldnt 'lead'...as in
W. recent blitz on touting technology as some sort of solution to global
warming.

• Prev by Date: RE: Responding to Katrina (offtopic even if XML is part of the soluti on)
• Next by Date: Re: [ANN] XSieve: XSLT + Scheme
• Previous by thread: RE: Responding to Katrina (offtopic even if XML is part of the soluti on)
• Next by thread: [ANN] xml:id is a W3C Recommendation
• Index(es):
  • Date
  • Thread