> Don't rely on proprietary infrastructure you have no control over for essential public functionality. You have to go where the people are. It's unlikely tha

> Don't rely on proprietary infrastructure you have no control over for essential public functionality. You have to go where the people are. It's unlikely that anyone will remember to install the MyCity app or whatever, and then you're just sending your messages to /dev/null. You don't get an error when you send out the alert, but the same number of people receive it as the over-rate-limit Twitter account. 0. I am surprised that the B.C. government can't just text message people based on location. Governments in the US definitely can. I recall some year in NYC where everyone got mandatory stream of consciousness "alerts" from the government. ("We're looking for some criminal in New Jersey! It's a dude guy!" OK, I'll get right on that? "We're expecting ONE INCH of snow. Everybody panic and don't even think about going outside!" OK I guess? We all that weak from climate change already?) I also have to say I wouldn't object to just putting my email address on my tax return and getting a weekly newsletter from the city that way.