Amidst Horror Of Mumbai Bomb Attack, Twitter User Creates 'World's Most Moving Spreadsheet'

[Vehl]

Twitter users are used to seeing reports quickly spread of injuries and misery in the aftermath of a terrorist attack or disaster. Today it was possible to watch in real time a striking example of the co-operative spirit that social networks can help to build, as users came together to collaborate on a shared spreadsheet that collected phone numbers, offers of help and details on doctors available to assist the wounded that grew to hundreds of entries in just a couple of hours.

It was when one user in New Delhi took it upon himself to compile the information into a single spreadsheet, and then asked other users to add their details, that things really took off.At first there were just a few entries on the spreadsheet. At 15.45 there were just 30 entries. But as the idea began to spread the information poured in. By 16.15 PM there were more than 100 entries on the spreadsheet. An hour later there were well over 250 offers of help, advice and even blood.

"Who knew a spreadsheet could be so moving?" tweeted BBC journalist Dave Lee.
Indeed. For while Mumbai and its citizens are still struggling to cope with the aftermath of the attack, it might be some comfort to know that there is no lack of people willing to help.

more here
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/07/13/amidst-horror-of-mumbai-b_n_897202.html

"It's easy to make noise," he said. "But instead of just ranting on Facebook and Twitter, why not do something good?"

Sagar said thousands of people accessed the spreadsheet. He does not know exactly what came of it all but he didn't think there had been such a centrally organized online disaster effort before in India.

He took the site down Thursday once emergency needs dissipated. But the last 24 hours have shaped his future goals.Sagar, who works at a digital mapping firm, said he plans to keep working on establishing such databases. If and when the need arises again, maybe there will already be a relief database in place.

and here
Indian techie's site makes him accidental hero of Mumbai blasts
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/07/14/india.blasts.help/

Kudos to this person for doing something useful with the social networking sites. Credit also goes to the thousands of others who came up with offers of help when help was needed most. I hope the terrorists take note of this..every such terror attack only serves to unite India more.But then again one cannot expect religious fundies to have common sense anyways.