Lone Wolf is a combined mobile phone and web app that work together to allow unemployed people to send messages, photos, etc, to twenty others closest to them at the time. The objective is for them to be able to contact other unemployed people nearby if they are in need of assistance or support, or just need someone to talk to or have useful information to share with others.
With Lone Wolf installed, the phone’s owner can immediately begin to communicate with others nearby who also have the app. (By “nearby” I mean the twenty people with the app closest to you when you send out a message, no matter where you happen to be at the time. In reality they could be some distance away or could be standing right next to you, particularly if the hundreds of thousands (and growing!) of unemployed Australians who have smart phones install the app.)
Photos and messages sent via Lone Wolf become immediately available on the web to all at www.lonewolf.zone. Furthermore, as their photos and messages are also broadcast to others with the app, those others can also add photos and information to the original message and turn it into a fairly significant commentary/conversation. (The app actually refers to each of these commentaries/conversations as a “howl” - it is a bit like a “tweet” but it goes to people nearby)
All photos, messages, etc, automatically include the sender’s name (or nickname), the location from which the squawk was sent, and date and time. The location is the suburb or locality they are in. The sender can also opt to send their exact location, particularly when trying to meet up with others or in an emergency situation. These are all shown on the website and marked on the website’s map.
The sender can remain totally anonymous if they prefer, to all that receive their hollers. However, their phone’s unique ID is known to the system and therefore all howls going to and from that phone can be temporarily or permanently blocked if they are malicious.
Just on this point, there are checks and balances built in to minimise the risk of malicious messages and photos being sent and to ensure that messages are accurate. If malicious material is noticed then anyone can report it via the app, and this will immediately remove the material and block the offending sender.
Any phone that has been stolen and has Lone Wolf installed can be immediately blocked.
Finally, it is planned for Lone Wolf volunteers to be on hand to monitor the conversation and assist wherever needed.