The real-time stream is “the fierce urgency of NOW”.

Steve’s blog post on how real-time changes conversations is also a must-read

Tornado warning sirens are still not within earshot of everyone who could be at risk. The reverse 911 system works well in the places where it’s implemented, but only if residents in the path of a tornado are at home.

“Track” could allow parents to be notified if their child’s school is at risk of tornado.

The concept of “track,” particularly in the public safety application, highlights why cell phones with internet capabilities should be made more affordable. It also highhights the need for utilites (or whatever entity) to extend broadband coverage to more areas.

The tornado at the Boy Scout camp in Iowa earlier this year comes to mind. It’s fortunate for those who survived that it was a camp for Boy Scouts, whose motto is “Be prepared.” Recreational campgrounds for the general public may not have fared so well, but would have a better chance with the availability of “track” and wide-spread broadband.

The word “avalanche” is another word that would be good to track on an internet-enabled mobile phone. That assumes, of course, that broadband would be available in mountain areas where this hazard exists.

The concept of “track” does not come easily. I would suggest that your readers plan to listen to Leo Laporte’s podcast more than once.

Leo does a great job of encapulating new ideas in a way that a wide range of people can understand. He does that with “track” in the same way he does with many tech topics.

There was a lot of conversation on the aftershow for yesterday’s recording of “This Week in Tech” that could be distracting to someone listening only to hear how “track” applies to their needs. That extra conversation is fascinating, though, to those who are interested in knowing the many facets of the technolgy’s potential uses.

Nevertheless, it has taken awhile for the “regulars” on NewsGang Live to grasp the relevance of the “track” technology. The most helpful thing might be for your readers to download the podcast and have it available for listening, and listening again, “rewinding,” and listening some more.