Summary: Victor Alpha will be a mobile and web application that can be assessed by a smart phone or feature (dumb) phone. The mobile app will be compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices. The feature phone can access Victor Alpha through text messages. By simply texting keywords, such as "info", to the Victor Alpha number, the VA application will reply back with additional options. Eg. reply "shelter" and the application will ask for the phone user's nearest address, responding with the shelter location and directions based on the submitted address.
Once the identity of the user is verified, Victor Alpha will issue a standard 3 x 3 foot canvas made of ripstop nylon that has a printed map on the back side of the canvas. The map contains numbers for emergencies, shelter locations and identification information. On the front side of the map, there will be a 'text to donate' number with a 'name' to link the donated texts. In addition, sponsorships logos will have a place on the front of the canvas.
Execution: Personally, I have discussed such options with social groups in Cincinnati and St. Louis. The idea is well received and needs to be prototyped and tested. My team and I are a group of seasoned developers and designers who have mobile and web application experience. In addition, I have personal contacts with printing companies in each area. This is a project we believe can be executed and impact many lives. That is our goal. We can also engage with our friends at Code for America.
Tech Details: The application will be created in HTML5, Javascript and BackboneJS with certain jobs using NodeJS. This will be wrapped in containers for the mobile app on the iPhone, iPad and Android devices. This will reduce the cost of development and follows the lead of other mobile developments such as LinkedIn's app. Our backend will use Heroku for hosting and scalability and Parse for database management. These are large scale and secure companies that will most likely donate the needed server usage. We have a text service to utilize for text replies.
*Website and links will be updated by the rules deadline of July 27th, 2012 *We found out about this competition today, May 31, but are excited to be part of the opportunity!
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