So, Zello (free from Zello.com or Google Play or etc.) is a Skype-like VoIP service & app, no video, but terrific, high quality voice conferencing system ideal for meeting, roundtables, communities, MOOC chats, etc.
It also makes a mobile or tab or PC work just like a handheld, 2-way radio, ie, with a Push-to-Talk (PTT) button. No 2 users can "transmit" at once, but moderators can break-in & interrupt a long or impolite "transmission" from a user, if they want.
Anyway…
Zello had a rather short-lived "Local" mode… It required location from your device's GPS.
After Local mode was cut, I suggested that Local would be useful & even attract more users & usage, ie, if users could manually enter any locations (eg, to make contact with Zello users in a trip desto or at/near an event venue)…
Within a day of sending that short suggestion, Zello's support team replied that they'd pass it to their CTO = Chief Technical Officer for review.
On same day, I also suggested that Zello should be change to (also) work "peer to peer" - just like most walkie-talkies do - EVEN when user pairs / groups are too far to access WiFi & mobile Internet services.
A reply told of plans (albeit to be implented -further- into the future, than any return of Local mode) to include a Zello server in the app, that could facilitate Comms, eg, in remote / bush locations.
Such responses to user suggestions seemed to be well thought out and encouraging of future user input, rather than low-level dribble from any call center droid…
It makes me thing there are some good people running the Zello company, who are focused on building what users want.
So, despite some of the things one hears about Texas (eg, lotsa capital punishment, etc.), there remain a few gems among all the fossil fuels / fools in that state.
Zello - in Dallas, TX, last we checked - seems like one of them, IMO. :-)
Ah, if we could!d only bring that kind of flexibility, user-focus & responsiveness to the nuclear energy industry (ie, in the USA), ie, so that safe, cheap small / transports me factory-made "Nuclear 2.0" (liquid-fueled, Thorium cycle) reactors could come online sooner that it seems they may be allowed by US regulators to do.
Fortunately, the Canadians seem to be moving ahead onto "Nuclear 2.0"… albeit to provide process heat to destructive Fracking in remote parts of Canada.
Still, if the investments from Fracking miners lead to the death of Fracking (due to no more need for oil & gas), because of Nuclear 2.0's earlier adoption, I think it would be very good for the Planet.