Can FLSM recover messages that were sent when the computer is off?

[Anahi Ayala Iacucci]

Hello, I am working on a project in Zambia to use FLSM to do crowd-sourcing on environmental issues and for early warning systems. Here there are huge problems with power and internet access so I have two questions:
1. It is possible for FLSMS to recover messages that were received when the computer where the software is hosted is off?
2. Is there a way to have FLSMS to send to the Ushahidi platform messages that were received when there was no Internet? ( I know that this can be solved on Mac OS or Linux, but here everyone has Windows machines)?

Thanks,
Anahi

[kiwanja]

Hi Anahi

I can answer the first question, but will have to get one of the Ushahidi guys to respond to the second (I'll do that next for you). If FrontlineSMS is switched off and not picking up messages, once it's restarted all texts sent during that time will come in (as long as the computer hasn't been off for weeks - messages do expire). So that will be no problem.

You'll hopefully get an answer to (2) shortly. I do know that there's a fix on the Ushahidi website but wasn't aware that it might not work on Windows machines.

Hope you're doing well out there! I've been enjoying your tweets. \o/

Ken

[Anahi Ayala Iacucci]

Awesome! THANKS!

The idea is that if there is no fix to this problem we will propose it to the RHoK that will be hosted here at the World Bank on the 4th and 5th of December :)

The fix I saw for Mac OS is here http://wiki.ushahidi.com/doku.php?id=how_to_use_ushahidi_alpha#how_...
but it doesn't say anything on Windows.

It is inspiring to work here, people are excited and enthusiastic and they have so many ideas on how to use the software I cannot even keep up!

[Emmanuel Kala]

Hi Anahi,

It is possible to have FLSMS to send text messages to the Ushahidi platform on Windows machines. The sync.py script posted on the Ushahidi wiki is written in the Python programming language which is usually bundled into Mac OS X and Linux/Unix machines out of the box. This is NOT the case with Windows machines

You therefore need to do the following:

1. Download and install python for Windows. You can get it here.
2. Proceed with the editing process described on the Ushahidi wiki page. Please take note of the following:
   • a) If you're using Windows 7, set the WORK_DIR to "C:\Users\{username}\frontlinesync" and FRONTLINE_DB to "C:\Users\{username}\FrontlineSMS\frontline.db"
   • b) If you're Windows XP, replace the "C:\Users" part in (a) above with "C:\Documents and Settings\"
3. Save the script and you're good to go

NOTE: Replace {username} with the username that you use to log in to the Windows machine running FrontlineSMS.

In case of any issues, you can get in touch with me on Skype - emmanue.kala is my handle

Emmanuel

[Anahi Ayala Iacucci]

Emmanuel,
thank you very much!!

I will pass this to the tech guy that is dealing with installation and customization of the platform. I will meet with him on Monday so if he will have any problem, I will put him in contact with you directly :)

Thank you very much again!

Anahi

[Asadullah]

Hey can you help me a bit,
Can you paste that link, where sync.py script is posted.

Waiting for your quick response.

Thanks,

Regards

Asad