Free busy bees working for Haiti
Once again, I'm happy to realise how freedom of information, open knowledge, and a community can be efficient when the time comes to: After the earthquake in Haiti recently, active users of OpenStreetMap have set up a task force to create and update permanently a map of the devastated area that is used by search and rescue staff on the ground. A couple of companies have also provided up-to-date satellite and UAV flights pictures, that allow OSM editors all over the world to label where a building is collapsed, where a camp site has been build, which area is allocated to which of the nations involved in the SAR activities, and anything else that might be helpful to them. This information is then available to anybody, especially those at work there, for them to update on their GPS, at least of a certain model. Well, an internet access is required for that, but I believe some emergency access have been set up. Some claim the work resulting of this effort is the most up-to-date map of the area.
Maybe one day, with the help of more crafty people with a passion for DIY and flying machines, the pictures needed in such a situation will come from volunteers, and the need for closed source companies to get involved in this process will be reduced, whether it is by providing data like aerial photos, or just by approving an application for a closed-source platform.
Once again, this is an opportunity to realise that this kind of action is only possible where there is freedom. To produce something like this in an emergency situation, everybody needs on a daily basis the freedom to connect to the Internet without restriction of any kind, to walk around and report what he or she has seen, to setup a community, and many things that I have not thought about. Freedom is needed more than ever, everywhere, and especially on the Internet. Think about Haiti next time you take part into a debate about Open Source or Net Neutrality.
For now, hats off to OpenStreetMap and to the people from other projects involved in relaying the information that will help rescue Haiti.
