As well as printers, PCs, scanners, cellphones and laptops, the kits contain a large VSAT satellite dish, two satellite phones, including a mobile device, routers and access points, wireless relays, GPS, power packs that include car batteries and solar panels. Primary connection is provided by an AsBGan satellite link, with a Gan M4 giving back-up.

The gear will be used by both aid workers and any locals affected by the disaster who need to get in touch with friends or family. However, despite continuing diplomatic efforts, the generals are refusing to allow foreign aid workers into the country to help the estimated 1.5 million Burmese caught up in the tragedy. "There is a lot of frustration among aid workers," says a TSF spokesman. "We want to help the people of Burma but the authorities aren't letting us do our job." [BBC News and NY Times]

Designed by Californian architect Gregg Fleishman, the DH1 comes in flatpack form and you don't even need nails to put it together. Slot the parts, made of European birch plywood, together and—voil ! instant dwelling.

The DH1's structural floor cleverly sits 30 inches off the ground (anyone rich who is still recovering from this year's Glastonbury trauma, put the DH1 on next year's shopping list), so no unsightly seepage from underneath.

There are several drawbacks, though—first, the price of $22,000 would be beyond the reach of most disaster victims. If biblical rains follow the disaster, then you're going to get wet, unless you have a canvas or plastic sheet—and a big one—to hand. Third—and don't bad things always come in threes?—a high wind may mean you wake up to find you're not in Kansas any more, Dorothy, unless you were smart and moored your DH1 four ways to a concrete block.

DH1 Disaster House, from stack of plywood to dwelling in no time flat [Sci Fi Tech]

Realizing that GPS cellphone technology can do more than show you the closest Starbucks, Kyoto University has partnered with the research arm of Japanese cellphone carrier KDDI to see how mobile phones with GPS could be used to help with evacuations in a disaster area. Using about 30 students equipped with GPS phones, a computer system actually figured out where they were located, searched for the five closest evacuation centers and sent them each a map. Not bad, especially considering GPS is fast becoming a service we expect in phones and other portable electronics.

GPS cell phones tested for guiding evacuees [JP News]

After the stint of natural (and unnatural) disasters around the globe this year, wouldn't you like to be instantly alerted to any emergency happening near your home? To help with this, and make sure people who may not be near a TV or radio could still get danger warnings, the Dutch government has decided to do a test with mobile phone messaging. Using what is called Cell Broadcast, GSM technology will send out a cell phone message, letting people know what's going on.

If something happens in the center of The Hague, for example, we can select communication points from telecom companies and everyone who is within a few 100 meters can get the information.

This will be used in concurence with other emergency tactics, like plain old sirens and special emergency broadcasts. Right now, the trial is taking place in Zoetermeer and will soon go to Amsterdam and the south-west of Holland. Mobile operators KPN, Vodaphone and Telfort are all helping with the trial.

Dutch trial SMS disaster alert system [CNN]