h a l f b a k e r yPoof of concept
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Or from there to there. Having analyzed a trip recently, I find I want to compare at the same time and on the same page the cost and convenience (read time, principally) of different modes of commercial transportation. We can get this on airlines by visiting the various sites, but I want to know the
corresponding amounts for train, bus, and rental car, not to mention other (ferry?) modes. I also want to compare simultaneously airline prices.
This seems to be one of the things computers do best.
Utah Transit Authority
http://www.utabus.com/
My local transit authority [AfroAssault, Sep 05 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]
Dollar Rent A Car
http://www.dollarcar.com
I could have picked at least 10 other rental car companies to check [AfroAssault, Sep 05 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]
Blah.
http://www.airlines.com
Blah. [AfroAssault, Sep 05 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]
Hello
http://www.expedia.com/
Goodbye [thumbwax, Sep 05 2001, last modified Oct 04 2004]
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I can check the local bus routes here on the internet, then check airline prices, then check rental car prices, and very likely train prices too. So, unless I'm still feeling that "happy grass" from last night and don't understand your question, baked (no pun intended). |
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hag and others - sometimes when you click on a persons name - there is a completely empty page - i find this really spooky - they know who i am but whoooooo are they and where are they and how are they and what are they and are they they |
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The idea is to furnish prices and times on all different kinds of transportation at the same time, without having to chase down the individual air, rail, road, or other timetables. I know it's possible to so chase down; it's also open to deception and a pain in the [fill in portion of the anatomy]. If I want to compare directly a train that leaves at 2:30 am and a rental car that costs twice as much, why can't it be presented on the same page? |
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I don't think a free, large, deeply public searchable database about retail carrier activity is too much to ask for. |
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Of course, now we will hear all the standard chants for why it is, tragedy of the commons, free riders, blah, blah, blah. |
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Anyway, even if it's not possible, it's both useful and beautiful. Be careful about uncertainty, especially when planning use of motor vehicles, airlines, consumer products, cash, etc. Simplicity is a worthy goal, not just cash flows and ETA. As impossible dreams go, it has an elegance bordering on peotic. |
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having a website that allows you to put in you location and destination and then gives you the details of the available forms of transportation is a good idea... if you could specify a budget and it had the ability to map out your entire journey it would be brilliant... |
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Isn't this what travel agents are for? |
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