I looked through Family Farmed, Grassroots and now Maps 2.0.

For Maps 2.0, this resource came to mind: http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/ind ex.php which has a map and a dynamic corresponding list of disasters being reported.

I think it is great to get a community of practice going around mapping. I would prefer them take on a task for that community--such as a map of humanitarian efforts. We need to see who is doing water where for example, and be able to connect if we are working in proximity and be able to see gaps where they exist.

Even without that, this type of work can enable that to emerge, so I am very pleased with this project.

I hear how they are keeping costs low, but I don't see how they will be able to take care of themselves without more funding? There might be an argument for that as a volunteer community emerges and the tools are available, but they are not stating that case. It might help in getting funding to be clear that this only needs an initial boost to get started. If it needs more than that, how will it keep going?

I don't have any comment on grassroots.org yet.