Craigslist Versus Katrina – New Orleans to enjoy free Wi-Fi access

Local community websites have sprung into action to assist hurricane Katrina survivors with everything from blankets to offers of shelter in their homes.

With cell and land-line phones mostly down, the web has emerged as a champion amid the wreckage. E-mail, instant messenger and blogs have proven lifelines for communication.

In relief efforts, too, the internet is proving invaluable, as websites have become hubs for putting badly needed goods and services directly into the hands of people who need them most. Where organizations like the Red Cross discourage anything other than financial donations, sites like craigslist allow people to meet up with victims for face-to-face aid. Craigslist users have flooded the New Orleans site with offers of shelter and comfort.

"The wonderful people of the art forum have banded together to send me care packages, donations and gift certificates since losing my house in New Orleans," wrote one aid recipient in thanks to craigslist, signing her post simply as Shanna, formerly of New Orleans. "I have nothing left except for what fit into a Dodge Neon, and these strangers have opened their hearts to me."

In addition to material aid, the craigslist New Orleans’ site has emerged as a key source of information for those seeking word of missing friends and relatives.

By Keith Axline

Full Story: http://wired.com/news/planet/0,2782,68720,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_6

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Communications Networks Fail Disaster Area Residents

By Arshad Mohammed and Jonathan Krim
Washington Post Staff Writers

Victims of Hurricane Katrina struggled to communicate with each other and the rest of the world yesterday, using everything from text messages to ham radio as most telephone service in New Orleans and coastal Mississippi remained devastated.

The near-blackout left outsiders desperate for news about loved ones, and in some cases created life-and-death situations as aid workers struggled to get information about people stranded by rising floodwaters in New Orleans.

Phone companies had trouble even comprehending the extent of damage to their systems because they could not get into some parts of the region. One telephone executive said the storm might have caused unprecedented damage to a communications infrastructure that people have come to take for granted.

Full Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/31/AR2005083102656.html

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New Orleans to enjoy free Wi-Fi access

By Lester Haines

There is some welcome relief today for those people left wading through the remains of New Orleans – T-Mobile has announced it will offer free Wi-Fi access across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama until the end of the week, and "possibly beyond that if the situation warrants it".

That’s how eWeek.com puts it, under the deliciously inappropriate headline "T-Mobile Opens Wireless Floodgates in New Orleans". T-Mobile hotspots can be found in locations including Borders, FedEx/Kinko’s, Starbucks, Hyatt Hotels, Red Roof Inn motels, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and US Airways. Those wishing to avail themselves of T-Mobile’s generous offer are pointed in the direction of the listings for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

T-Mobile said in a statement: "The free service is intended for those who have been displaced from their homes or are seeking refuge from the hurricane," adding: "This free offer for the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama is for Wi-Fi service only, not T-Mobile voice services. There will be no charge for T-Mobile HotSpot service, at these locations, through the end of day Friday, September 2, 2005. The situation will be re-evaluated at that time to determine if the free service will continue."

Full Story: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/01/new_orelans_wi_fi/