Simon’s Town Real Estate News

Can We Collaborate, Will We Collaborate, Should We?

Yes. We can. It may not be overnight. We may have to wait for a disaster. Or at the worst we may have to wait for many pre-historic Internet humans to depart. Who knows. I hope that you will join me in this attempt to collaborate and get the Simon’s Town community to collaborate.

We had the tall ship visiting Simon’s Town and many of us did not know anything about it. We had the USA Navy band playing at JB square and only some passing tourist knew this. This is the good news that we missed. If we cannot distribute good news how are we going to share critical new?

In the minutes of the ST Civic Association meeting I was asked to look at a sms system to communicate issues within and around Simon’s Town.

In the past I used a system called http://www.smsmalls.co.za/. This is a pay for option. It costs about 33c to send one sms.
You create a database with names and phone numbers and you can then create one sms message and send it to the people
in your database.
What are the pros and cons of smsmalls?

• One person do all the work
  • As all people need to send her a sms and she then need to go to the database add the sms and sends if off.
  • This person needs to get all the cell phone numbers and names and create the online database.
• The info (knowledge base) dies after the email was sent.
• The info is available to a select few who joined.
• The cost will limit the frequent use of the system.
• It’s an easy system to use depending if people will forward news and (critical) issues.

The other system gives the power to the community to communicate.
This is how it works in simple terms:

1. You create an online account and you set it use your cell phone to send sms updates.
2. You forward me your username and I go to what’s called a Simon’s Town Room. I add your updates to that room. (Not only that I also add any news where the word Simon’s Town is mentioned). At this room you’ll read interesting comments by people who visit our town. How a USA newspaper shares with its readers the cheap holiday to the historic town of Simon’s Town. And news from your community members. (Side Note: Even Obama is using it to communicate with his community. I think I need to teach a political party to use it).
3. As soon as you send a sms to your online account your messages is sent to the Simon’s Town Room. (Although this room is open to everyone to join you need to be decent).
4. This Simon’s Town room is a public place and window to the world on what’s going on about Simon’s Town. For example Lesley has sent many updates on the Baboons and on whale sightings. Other people have told us about how effective a .38 can be against a local pest. There was an issue on Baboons and TB. This was quickly corrected. No more gossip that is not contradicted.
5. Every one of us can become a useful resource of info to the Simon’s Town World.
6. But how do you get updates from other people who send info to the Simon’s Town Room? That’s easy. You need to also open an account at the Simon’s Town room and join the room. You can then set your account to send you daily updates.
7. What will we sms about?
   • I noticed that there are anti-all-development people amongst us. They will sms us to inform us of development threats.
   • There are pro-development people. They will sms us about good developments.
   • The navy will share the arrival of Tall Ships and navy band concerts.
   • The CPF will give us tips. Like watch your bedroom window….. that’s a popular entry point.
   • Dave will tell us all the news about the whales and ask our help to identify a strangled whale.
   • Judy will kick the back sides of ADT advertising on the ugly panel beater.
   • Trish will tell us about foreign exchange and other tourist’s needs.
   • Venetia will inform us f the up and coming art exhibition at the library.
   • John will give us the latest baboon gps data.
   • Ian will tell us what to do and not do on JB square
   • Nick will give us advice.
   • The book clubs will tell us about the latest books they have read and the nice local wine tasting.
   • We will all gossip in the open and all the facts will be there for all to question and agree upon.

Can you email me if you want to be part of this communication system? I want people who want to do it. Remember when you are done with setting up your accounts you’ll need to send and sms when you have something to share. And most of you can send a sms

Let me summarise:

We have two kinds of users: Initiators and Passive Commentators

• Let’s look at the Initiators

• You can become an initiator of news by opening a account with http://www.twitter.com (You can read here how you can open an account at twitter).
• Go to twitter settings and set your cell phone to send sms to your twitter account. Phone me when you have a problem. I am available at 082 870 2004 or 021 786 4028
• Email me your twitter username.
• Then go and join this Simon’s Town Room http://friendfeed.com/rooms/simonstown
• Click on join the room and create your account.
• Set your account to receive a dial email of all the room news.

• Passive Commentators
  • If you only want to receive news then it’s even simpler.
  • Go and join this Simon’s Town Room http://friendfeed.com/rooms/simonstown
  • Click on join the room and create your account.
  • Set your account to receive a dial email of all the room news.

I am looking forward to meet you at the Simon’s Town Room for a chat
Regards

Johan Horak