Interesting. I don't know if the USCG has had plans for awhile now to implement a Twitter site or if this is something new, but I think it is noteworthy the USCG has an official Twitter site up. Is this a reaction to what happened in Mumbai, where Twitter became a way for people to quickly update current information during a terror attack? Could be, if you aren't familiar, Twitter is a little micro-blogging site you can post messages to. There are so many smart ways to use this in the public information flow that it makes me admire that the Coast Guard has put up such a siteIf I was the USCG, I'd make sure every CG Auxiliary and Reserve member is aware of its existence. With the rapid propagation of iPhone's and Blackberry's, not to mention other internet enabled devices both on ships and ashore, this is one of the quick and easy ways to rapidly move important information in an emergency response situation.
This is how I look at it. Every phone is a twitter client for both updating and reading message traffic that you want rapidly distributed. Big time potential there, if it is advertised, people are taught how to use it, and the USCG insures the information is relevant they will get a lot of milage out of a very simple social media tool. It wasn't an accident folks like CNN were the first to sign up as a follower.
H/T: Unofficial Coast Guard Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment