tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-699890406163567974.post6116434529872798200..comments2024-01-20T08:49:30.815+02:00Comments on Between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv: Idea for an App to keep Trempistim SafeMichael Sedleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684514303911193073noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-699890406163567974.post-21208784955458523272014-06-18T11:53:24.292+03:002014-06-18T11:53:24.292+03:00Thanks Asher, great points.
See my follow up abou...Thanks Asher, great points.<br /><br />See my follow up about an app for drivers which eliminates some of these issues.<br />http://betweenjerusalemandtelaviv.blogspot.co.il/2014/06/follow-up-on-my-app-idea-app-for-drivers.html<br /><br />The problem of people registering and abusing the system may need to be addressed by having a authentication process to register, e.g., registering through a school or via the Katzin Bitachon in the Yishuv.<br /><br />If drivers are also registered, when a driver picks up a trempist, the system could send both of them a photo of each other to confirm that they are who they say they are. The system could also confirm that both cell phones are in close proximity with each other. Once driver and trempist have both been confirmed as legitimate, there would be no reason to keep sending updates every 10 minutes, so that would eliminate part of the issue of areas with no cell phone reception.<br /><br />In addition, if a trempist gets into a car and reports that all is well, the system should be able to follow the journey and take into account known areas with poor reception.<br /><br />Human error is possibly the biggest problem, either forgetting to check in, mistyping a code and accidentally triggering an alert, or having problems with the phone.<br />That's why initially the system wouldn't send a high-priority SOS, rather a "Find that Phone" message to other trempistim or other people in the immediate area. If after 5-10 minutes no one can find the trempist, or find the phone abandoned, that's when the app would send in the cavalry to set up road blocks.<br /><br />With regard to power drainage, I have no idea how much juice an app like this would suck up - I would think far less than many other apps or even checking email, but if users are worried about battery life, they could log out of the system - no one is forcing them to use it.<br /><br />Please send me any other potential issues that would need to be addressed.Michael Sedleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02684514303911193073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-699890406163567974.post-71248727697133128182014-06-18T09:40:05.716+03:002014-06-18T09:40:05.716+03:00Micharel, you asked for a list of flaws? Well, y...Micharel, you asked for a list of flaws? Well, you shouldn't have asked a software tester :-)<br /><br />My list so far:<br /><br />How do we authenticate who is using the system to prevent people registering and then sending false reports of kidnappings?<br /><br />How do we handle cell phone dead zones?<br /><br />For that matter, what about human error of people who forget to check in?<br /><br />What about power consumption? If I'm going to be stuck traveling (especially when hitchhiking), the last thing that I want is another app running draining my phone's power. I would rather save it for an emergency phone call.<br /><br />Still, it's a great idea.Asherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05657199166514518178noreply@blogger.com