FlashAlert Tweaks and Enhancements - Fall 2009
New name. First off, to avoid confusion with another news service with the same name, "FlashNews" is now "FlashAlert Newswire" and "FlashAlert" is now "FlashAlert Texting." ("FlashAlert" received trademark status in July so no more name changes!) Here is how to access the three sides of the system:
For you to post news: FlashAlertNewswire.net (or a shortcut address to the log in page: falogin.net)
For the public to view your news: FlashAlert.net
For the media's use: FlashAlertPortland.net (and FlashAlertSeatte.net, FlashAlertCS.net in Coloardo Springs, etc.)
However, you may continue to use the URLs you currently use - all will forward (including FlashNews.net)
Thumper. No one likes calling a TV station to nag that their message isn't running. The new Thumper tool lets the system do the nagging. When you post an emergency message, you will see a screen showing your local TV stations. 45 minutes after you make your posting, if you do not see it on a particular station, you may checkbox that station and a reminder "thump" will be emailed to the station. No muss, no fuss, no pointing fingers. Just a reminder to them to re-check the list. Of course, if the info being scrolled on TV is wrong, you will want to call them right away.
Twitter. For those who are using the FlashAlert Texting feature to send emails and text messages to the public (parents, staff etc.) at the same time as the media (included for many organizations at no cost if registrant counts stay below 100 or so), your people now also can "follow" a special Twitter account that specifically distributes emergency messages you post on FlashAlert. It's an option when they sign up. If your organization already has a Twitter account that you'd like to have your FlashAlert messages sent to, that can also be done (contact me). I am encouraging the public to choose Twitter over registering text message addresses because Twitter gets your messages through the back door of the cell companies,versus the front door we must use.
Note: If you're org is not using FlashAlert Texting but has a Twitter account that you want your FlashAlerts to go to, let me know.
FlashAlert Texting. Your self-registrants now can edit their primary email address. (Each account must include at least one email address so that account renewal instructions can be sent each summer.) As of August 2009, 120,000 people are using FlashAlert texting, so keeping lists up to date is a must! Everyone who has not updated their account in the past year has received a reminder message and will get one more before non-responding accounts are deleted in September.
FlashBite - send the media a voice recording or video on the go. This has been in trial mode with four police agencies, using a third party to convert voicemails to MP3s to email to the media. We just finished streamlining it and is available, at no additional cost, to those who need to get a verbal message (or sound bite) or even a video clip from your iPhone or Blackberry to the media but can't get to a computer. Here's how it works: using Voice Memos (iPhone), the Video Camera (iPhone 3GS), PureVoice (Palm) or Voice Notes (Blackberry), you email the file to FlashAlert, including a subject line telling what it's about. The email address is flashbite+username@flashalert.net, where "username" is the name you log in to the system with (include the +). Your clips will be sent to the media based on the default cities you have already checked in your account. Please remember that video files can get very large (the iPhone video recorder files are about four megs per 30 seconds!) and that these messages should be of high priority. I expect that police and fire clients will use this the most. Testing: You may test this tool by unchecking you default cities on your account management page and saving, then emailing your bite per the address format above. After successfully receiving the email with the link, log in and delete the message so it doesn't stay on the media's page all day, then re-set your default cities and save.
Photo attachment. Rather than a fixed five photo attachment field, there now is just one (making the form shorter) and you can add as many as 10. Also note that you now can attach photo captions.
News release preview. When you post a news release and want a preview emailed to you, you no longer lose the cities you've checkboxed already nor your contact info. And in Business Partners, the page does not fly back to the top each time you add someone! And when you're recovering your username and password, there is now a confirmation step so that someone doesn't accidentally click on your org name and launch that info to the two contacts in your account. (OK - it may still happen occasionally, but it REALLY makes retrieving that info easy when you're racing to get a message out and the info goes ONLY to you!)
As always, I want to hear your suggestions. My genius programmer at Solid Technology, Josh. has made nearly two dozen changes for us this year. Many are small things that make the system more powerful, while others help me manage things better. At least half a dozen were based on suggestions from you. Also, I now am using a customer satisfaction website. You can rate FlashAlert here.
You may renew your subscription by check or by using a credit card through PayPal below. (You do not need a PayPal account, you can make a one-time payment.)
Have a great winter and remember I am available to you 24/7 at 360.834.1953 or use the chat button below.
Craig Walker, FlashAlert Newswire