Ben Shneiderman, CS and UMIACS, and Jennifer Preece, Professor and Dean of the College of Information Studies, recorded a media grand slam in research, having their findings published extensively on their ideas about how to provide better networking at a time of disaster.  Shneiderman and Preece suggest that local, state, and federal governments develop 911.gov, a social network that would create a web-based emergency alternative.  Citizens would use PCs or cell phones to access the site and receive vital updates from the authorities while also sharing information with one another. Taking note on February 15 and 16 are Science, Nature, New Scientist, Technology Review, Computer World, the Discovery Channel, ABC News, Newsweek International, and the BBC, which writes: "A pilot could start later this year based at the University of Maryland, driven by 40,000 students and staff."