Projects on the Move
Projects on the Move
RapidSMS offers a flexible framework for developing SMS-based applications, and PhoneGap streamlines the art of cross-platform app development.
When you think of UNICEF, you probably don’t think about innovation, which is actually one of the organization’s core values [1]. UNICEF has helped develop everything from birthing kits to solar-powered cold storage units. In fact, in 2009, UNICEF was awarded the Gov 2.0 Summit Award [2] for RapidSMS, a free, open source framework for developing SMS-based applications [3].
RapidSMS isn’t something you download and start using. Instead, RapidSMS is a Django and Python-based framework that can be customized for diverse data collection,
workflow, and group coordination functionality. The software is designed to work on any phone that can send and receive text messages and is intended to be customized for governments and humanitarian organizations working in geographically remote areas with limited infrastructure, such as roads and electricity. In October 2008, RapidSMS played an integral role in UNICEF’s efforts to distribute high-protein food (Plumpy’nut) to 1,800 food centers in drought-crippled Ethiopia [4]. Before using RapidSMS, aid monitors collected data, such as the amount of food received and distributed, but there could be several weeks of delay between when the data was collected and analyzed and any follow-up actions, such as sending additional supplies. RapidSMS helped eliminate the delay, which is no small task when you are dealing with 193,130 cartons of Plumpy'nut from 1,852 distribution centers.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Introducing matrixOS, an Immutable Gentoo-Based Linux Distro
It was only a matter of time before a developer decided one of the most challenging Linux distributions needed to be immutable.
-
Chaos Comes to KDE in KaOS
KaOS devs are making a major change to the distribution, and it all comes down to one system.
-
New Linux Botnet Discovered
The SSHStalker botnet uses IRC C2 to control systems via legacy Linux kernel exploits.
-
The Next Linux Kernel Turns 7.0
Linus Torvalds has announced that after Linux kernel 6.19, we'll finally reach the 7.0 iteration stage.
-
Linux From Scratch Drops SysVinit Support
LFS will no longer support SysVinit.
-
LibreOffice 26.2 Now Available
With new features, improvements, and bug fixes, LibreOffice 26.2 delivers a modern, polished office suite without compromise.
-
Linux Kernel Project Releases Project Continuity Document
What happens to Linux when there's no Linus? It's a question many of us have asked over the years, and it seems it's also on the minds of the Linux kernel project.
-
Mecha Systems Introduces Linux Handheld
Mecha Systems has revealed its Mecha Comet, a new handheld computer powered by – you guessed it – Linux.
-
MX Linux 25.1 Features Dual Init System ISO
The latest release of MX Linux caters to lovers of two different init systems and even offers instructions on how to transition.
-
Photoshop on Linux?
A developer has patched Wine so that it'll run specific versions of Photoshop that depend on Adobe Creative Cloud.