Attempting to maximize the reach of the emergency notification system, a new medium is being designed to provide instant information to the university community.
Originally a concept mentioned in a Communication Network Services meeting, a new program would deliver messages automatically to any operating computer connected to the Virginia Tech network
Much as a widget, the program would lie dormant until it received a message. The text of the alert would immediately pop up.
University spokesman Larry Hincker said the computer pop-up application would provide a more direct method of reaching people.
"You could download the widget and it would pop up on any computer connected to the Internet," Hincker said. "You would not have to have an application open."
Currently, a computer alert must be received by checking Virginia Tech's Web mail or via e-mail. Hincker said those options are not enough.
"You cannot rely on a single channel of communication," Hincker said.
CNS Chief Technology Architect Carl Harris is in charge of developing the program. He said users would download the application for free from alerts.vt.edu and install it on their computers.
Harris said the application runs in the background, continuously communicating with the emergency notification system.
If a message were sent, the application would play a sound and display the message to the computer as long as it is connected to the Internet.
The computer pop up application would deliver instant alerts much like classroom message boards. It would not be delayed by distribution factors that hinder the text messages sent by VT Alerts.
Sherwood Wilson, vice president for administrative services, said the new program would be a major step toward instant notification of events on campus.
"It's the single biggest leap forward in VT Alerts," Wilson said. "It has the ability to simultaneously interact with more people than anything we have right now."
This method would not require any action on the part of the subscriber, other than having their computer turned on and connected to the Internet. The user would not need to be on campus.
Since it is not run through Internet browsers, the pop-up application would not be blocked by pop up blockers.
Furthermore, Hincker said this application would be one of the least expensive notification systems employed.
"It is going to be university labor only," Hincker said. "There would be no cost to us or to the university community. It would be on the VT computing Web site and available for download."
Wilson said the benefits would be worth the price of installation.
"It is a very low implementation cost," Wilson said. "In terms of bang for the buck, it is clearly the best thing we have."
The low cost is attributed to in house development.
CNS, a Virginia Tech department, is developing the computer pop-up program. Other components of the emergency notification system rely on outside entities.
Virginia Tech pays a compay called 3n for the text messaging aspect of VT Alerts. The classroom message boards are bought from an independent manufacturer.
CNS has tested the program and believes it will be ready in the near future, Hincker said.
"We are hopeful it will be up and running by fall semester," Hincker said.
Harris said he is also hopeful that the program could be adapted for smart phones and mobile devices at a later date.
Other expansions of the VT Alerts system are being considered as well, such as adding scrolling classroom signs currently found in classrooms to gyms, dining halls and other public areas.
"Members of a subcommittee are working on the prioritization of where these should be rolled out on the campus," Wilson said.
Hincker said the scrolling classroom signs are effective, but difficult to implement because of their cost.
"It is a wonderful technology, but they are truly outrageously expensive," Hincker said.
Costs of buying and installing the scrolling signs can reach $2,000 per unit.
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This is an excellent idea. I'm glad to see a 'think outside the box' approach. Even though we are all ultimately responsible for our own individual safety, another notification medium is always an excellent tool to have at the community's disposal. All sorts of mobile devices connect (through VT's network) on a WiFi connection, so it is wise to take advantage of our own network for notification.
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Let's waste more money installing $2000 dollar screens so when we have another emergency at night all those screens can alert empty classrooms.
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Oh great, now with these widgets, our text message system, emails, and alert screens we have yet another way for Tech to send us the message "You're screwed LOL". All of these ridiculous security methods since the incident here, such as imitation segways for our cops, are nothing but hollow solutions that make us feel safe but could be overcome by a determined attacker.
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Go find a safer college then or do you hate society in general...
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