ITP Spring 2006 (mb2811): Still Working on Tiger/Line Data

February 26, 2006

Still Working on Tiger/Line Data

I posted this to the school list:

Subject: Test My Mobile App! (Sample: 721 broadway m : 11 west 53 st m)

I'm still working out my mobile application but one of the component
gives individuals walking and subway directions in manhattan and the
boroughs. If you need directions in the city, test my app out at the
same time!

The system will give you walking + subway directions in new york. Right
now it does _not_ ignore one ways so it may send you half a block out of
your way. It does takes into account weekend and rush hour subway
schedules. It will not know if the L train is on fire :)

Here's how it works:

1) send a text to subway@txtst.com (txtst is 8-9-87-8, easy to type)

2) format your message like this:
[origin] [first letter of borough] : [destination] [first letter of borough]
(every borough is the first letter of the borough name except the bronx
which is bx)

For example, to get from school to the moma you would do:
721 broadway m : 11 west 53 st m

To get from my old apartment in brooklyn to school:
260 12th st b : 721 broadway m

Easy. You will get anywhere between one and three text messages back
depending on the length of the directions. I try to keep everything
down to one text but if I exceed the 140 character limit I split up the
messages.

Send me an email if you get the wrong directions and i'll fix whatever
is wrong.

Thanks!

Posted by mb2811 at February 26, 2006 05:40 AM