itp this place is amazing

mySociety.org

Nothing makes me more delighted than finding the heart of my thinking implemented, and implemented well. This type of collaboration can be done. They even have an iPhone app called FixMyStreet! I’m in love.

OK, I still have not mapped out the public / private / commercial space in NYC, but the Design Trust has a recent blog post that points to a New York City Department of City Planning land use map of “Open Space and Recreation.” We’re getting warmer. Someone must have mapped this information, if you […]

Mayor Bloomberg’s State of the City Speech (on YouTube)
Thursday January 15, 2009, 1 PM

“We’ll also experiment with a common sense idea that will help New Yorkers stretch their own dollars further: the option of taking multiple-fare taxi and livery rides from, for example, airports and other locations. Riders will save money and drivers will make […]

THE NYC MAYOR’S OFFICE YOUTUBE CHANNEL

I asked a number of cab drivers this afternoon if I could ride with them on the job for research purposes. After a number of alternate reasons for declining my request, I found out this is illegal and a letter is required from the TLC for a driver to ride with a front-seat guest.

Today I rented a CRV zipcar and gave free rides to strangers

Jonathan, M, 27, smartphone, uses sms/gps
Start of ride: 59th Street, End of ride: West Village
Takes a taxi at least once a day with an average ride of $15,
He is what some call a super user
Jonathan is trusting of people, but impatient. Convenience trumps cost
He is from DC, has lived in nyc 6 years and has […]

I understand that the city needs to generate revenue, but wrapping public transportation in standard advertising seems unfortunate (although I’m all for more situationist ad campaigns). Ubiquity is not the new exclusivity. If companies want positive brand association in subway stations (or anywhere) they are going to have to provide a service of value, ie. […]