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Wireless Internet: What’s the Potential for Nonprofits?
In New Jersey recently, a police officer pulled over a driver, ran the license plate through his on-board computer, and found that the car’s registration had expired. He informed the driver that he would receive a ticket, and that the car would be towed, since an unregistered car can’t be driven in the state. According to the AP news story, the driver used his cell phone to call a buddy who was near a computer. The friend used the driver’s credit card number to renew the registration online while the cop wrote the ticket. When the cop checked his onboard computer again, sure enough, the car was now registered, and the officer canceled the tow truck. This ‘battle of the computers’ is a funny story that illustrates how mobile computing and cell phones can provide help to drivers when they need it. If the driver had a cell phone like mine, with Internet access, he could have done the registration himself online. Nonprofits need to keep an eye on the wireless horizon, as more motorists and traveling business people plug into the Internet from dashboard computers with GPS, from cell phones, and from WI-FI hotspots at Starbucks, Borders, and thousands of public locations. The impact for some nonprofits is obvious: churches, museums, and others that want to reach the traveling public along interstate highways and in major cities. Imagine the Red Cross sending me a text message, knowing I’m available for another blood donation, and giving me a link to the blood donation centers that are closest to me. Advocacy organizations can mobilize their constituents with text messages or emails wherever they are, and give them links to contact their elected representatives about pending legislation. Where do you see wireless leading nonprofits online? I’m eager to hear your ideas and concerns. February 2004 | |
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