The users can either collect data or send data with the mobile apps or on the software their developed. In current stage the most engagement from the users are to gather submissions from the populations that need helps. In the future, users are able to submit reports and maps from their mobile apps.
These reports are translated in to visualised form such as open street maps, timelines, charts etc. The apps enable the user to manage the data in to workflows for future respond effectively.
The received data can be managed and visualised into charts or map tiles (e.g. open street maps or satellite maps). The data is visualized in the panel of “Visualize Your Story “with four modes of visual features.
With the gather of information, the types of data that a user can enter are posts (reports) and surveys. The user can enter data via mobile apps or on software.
“Ushahidi provides open source crowdsourcing software for responding to crisis, helping human rights, and increasing transparency.”
For the event of post-election violence in Kenya 2008, map reports are created to flow the voices.
With the mobile apps (iOS/Android) of the system, data collection can gather other’s voice from multiple sources such as SMS, emails, Twitter and RSS. These data can also be managed and formed into visual charts and maps. Other functions such as alerts and customer services are also provided.
Since the system itself is open sourced, there are code libraries to enhance the work piece and modelling it.
“The stack”
Back-end: Linux, PHP, Apache/Nginx, MySQL or PostgreSQL
Front-end: AngularJS, Javascript, Html, CSS. Built with NodeJS and Browserify. Using Leaflet for mapping, and a collection of other frontend libraries”
The development of the system was funded by their partners (e.g. Making All Voices Count with $55M). the general publics can donate via Facebook or create a fundraiser for Ushahidi via Facebook.
The system built organisational partnerships with world leading foundations that focusing on advancing human rights, citizen engagement, international development etc. These organisations included CISCO, google.org, USAID etc.
Most of the partners of the platform (world leading foundations/organisations: e.g. Resilience Network Initiative) have used the tools to increase the access on relevant information in order to assist the citizens/populations that need helps. Furthermore, to protect marginalised communities.
“Anyone can use Ushahidi, but traditionally it has been a tool used by Crisis Responders, Human Rights Reporters, and Citizens & Governments (such as election monitoring or corruption reporters).”
The functions of the system are built based on a modern PHP stack. The user interface is built with JS, HTML and CSS. Therefore, the development can be supported by the code libraries. And hence it is an open source software, user can customised the structure to match the user habits. Volunteers are also welcome to integrate the system.