Balance Interactive Selected for Round 2 of Knight News Challenge 2010

Feb. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- A proposal submitted by Balance Interactive has been selected for Round 2 of the $5 million Knight News Challenge 2010.

The Balance proposal, “Customizable Geographically Selected Broadcast SMS/Email News,” would create a custom module for the Drupal open source content management system to allow a user to enroll in a service, enter a location and desired radius (in miles/km), indicate what type of news he or she would like to receive, and select the format of the delivered news. When an emergency broadcast is sent from the service--such as inclement weather, utility status, or important event--the news would be sent to users according to their locations and preferences.

This service is envisioned to be used by public utilities, government organizations, and local news organizations.

For example, a group of users live in a particular community and indicate that they want all emergency news affecting a 20 mile radius of their location to be sent by text messaging. A water main breaks 15 miles away and shuts down a major road. The broadcast is sent by text to alert them of the problem so they can adjust their commute home.

“Currently, the technology exists to geocode information and use proximity formulas to pinpoint if the information is within a desired circle. Some organizations currently use this technology to plot their information on a map and let users find it by entering a zip code or city,” said Krystee Dryer, Balance Technical Development Director. “Our module will apply this technology on both sides of the equation--information and users--in an easy-to-use interface, not just plot them on a map, to send out specific information to the located users based on their preferences. This module will allow any organization to deliver focused content quickly.”

Knight News Challenge was developed to seek innovations that use new or available technology to distribute content in local communities. The annual challenge looks for projects that help distribute the news and information needed to improve communities. The Challenge has multiple rounds of screening and the winners will be announced in June.  More information is available at http://www.newschallenge.org/

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Balance Interactive is a web development and design consultancy that helps clients to achieve organizational goals using online technologies and tactics. Balance is a Small Business Administration certified woman-owned business.