I’ve known for a while that Google Maps has had the ability to plan bus routes in the bay area, but did not know that it also works for Seattle. This includes both King County Metro and Sound Transit. Here is a little how to on using the service.
Go to maps.google.com and click on the “Get Directions” link. In my I want to go from the Paul G. Allen Center to Pike Place Market. After I click the “Get Directions” button it shows me how to drive from my starting point to my destination. However you can click “Public Transit” directly below “Search Results” to be shown which bus routes allow you to get to your destination. Below is a photo showing my search results.
It tells me that I can take the 68 to the 73. Cool! Also listed are alternate departure times and buses that I could take to get to my destination. Under “Options” I can also specify my Depart Time or Arrival Time.
What I especially enjoy about this is being able to see exactly where the bus route will take me, as well as where I need to catch the bus and where it drops me off. A significant improvement over Trip Planner if you ask me.
For a list of all cities supported, go to Google Transit.
Two days ago, I joined a social network called Twitter. It functions through small (140 characters or less) status updates called “tweets” that you post about what you are currently doing. Think of it like Facebook status updates. Check me out at twitter.com/erikturnquist and become a follower! Join Now!
David Heinemeier Hansson, the creator of the Ruby on Rails web development framework, gives an interesting talk about how to create a realistic startup through his experiences at 37 Signals and other projects. This was filmed during Startup School 2008. His main point is that not everyone should set their startup’s goal as becoming a billion dollar company, in fact, most people can enjoy their life more and be successful by creating a million dollar company with a couple thousand dedicated users. He also gives great advice about to how to be a more efficient software developer.
This is an original Photoshop creation I did a year ago. My inspiration came from this photo. I originally found it on Digg when someone posted it as a comment. It is of a world famous surfing spot called Teahupo’o near Tahiti. The immense waves are caused by a shallow reef break near the island. In 2000, Laird Hamiliton rode what some call the “heaviest” wave ever ridden and in 2003 Malik Joyeux rode one of the largest waves. Enjoy!
Apparently, after my last post, someone from Gizmodo investigated the company and discovered that they might be phony. According to the Miami Chamber of commerce and the Better Business Bureau, PsyStar does not exist! When visiting their supposed addresses the first was a residential address, and the second, a packaging company called USA Koen Pack. Aren’t web rumors wonderful?
Recently announced, the Open Computer and OpenPro Computer by PsyStar comes with Apple’s Leopard pre-installed. What is amazing is that they offer this functionality for as low as $400.
This is accomplished by using the same x86 architecture that the majority of computers run on today, but faking the EFI firmware so that Leopard thinks that it is running on genuine Apple hardware. Interesting. Basically this group as achieved what the hackers at OSx86 have been trying to do all along.
The base model, the Open Computer has a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Processor, 2GB of DDR2 667 memory, Integrated Intel GMA 950 Graphics, 20x DVD+/-R SATA drive that is Lightscribe-capable, 4 rear USB Ports and comes in white or black.
Furthermore, a former Apple patent lawyer thinks Apple may not be able to do anything about it (Wired).
“Basically, when people go to a store or download software, they have a license with Apple to use this patented software on their computer. But breach of contract is one of the weakest forms of legal disputes” – Raj Abhyanker (Wired)
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out; whether the reliability and robustness of Apple’s Mac line can compete against inexpensive third-party options.
Welcome all to the new, updated version of my blog! I decided to move from my own blogging engine in Ruby on Rails to WordPress simply because I never had enough time to add additional features that I wanted to.
My current plan is to post more often, but have less detail in each post. This will hopefully keep things from becoming stagnant as the have been, and allow me to post at least once per day.
From 
Two days ago, I joined a social network called Twitter. It functions through small (140 characters or less) status updates called “tweets” that you post about what you are currently doing. Think of it like Facebook status updates. Check me out at 
