The STAR-TIDES network has been very busy lately. With events and activities ranging from Operation Golden Phoenix last week in San Diego and on-going work in Jalalabad, Afghanistan - we thought it was time to update and revise some of our core literature. These powerpoints and overview documents reflect the current direction of the project, which you'll probably notice has evolved a bit over the last year since our start. These changes reflect the dynamic nature of what we are trying to do in regards to social networking, analysis, and information sharing.

Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations (AERDO)

Background

AERDO, the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations, was founded in 1978. It represents a network of more than 50 of the major evangelical Christian relief and development agencies across North America. The Board of Directors is comprised of a representative from each member agency. AERDO is managed by a ten-member Executive Committee, elected from the membership board.

I have created a flickr group as one way to compile useful STAR-TIDES photos into one place-

http://www.flickr.com/groups/star-tides/

Other photo sharing options are up for debate - also a standardized method of tagging for metadata should be worked out- that is not my area of knowledge though so thoughts would be appreciated

GSM Cellular Node Fits Easily In Your Backpack

from LGS Innovations...developed by Bell Labs.

The Tactical Base Station Router (TacBSR) is a fully capable GSM cellular node that supports standard GSM phones including Type 1 encryption, that easily fits in a normal backpack with room to spare.  Designed to support remote teams, TacBSR
also integrates with additional units for wider coverage, and uses SIP-based VoIP backhaul for full voice connectivity. 

As the integrated cooking advocate on the STAR-TIDES team, I was invited by SOUTHCOM to participate in a two-day crisis management workshop in Tegucigalpa (Jan 29-30, 2008) with Honduran FEMA and Army personnel. The FEMA officials have moved into a new building and are in the early stages of establishing a national disaster response structure. SOUTHCOM and the U.S. embassy are assisting with supplies and information.

WE had a very successful TIDES mini-demo in Tegucigalpa, Honduras this past week.  Pat McArdle demonstrated a range of solar cooking devices and strategies, as well as a "rocket stove" for those times when the sun isn't shining.  With help from a Honduran "search and rescue" military unit, we build two hexayurts using locally available, and very cheap, panels. Both yurts were build for under $100 USD each.  We're due to return in April for a somewhat larger demo, and will see then how these shelters are holding up to the elements.

You are one step closer to better group communnications!  To get started posting just look for any link that says "Create"; fill in the form; click "Submit"; that's it.  By default, the info posted in a group is only available to other members of the group.