byCycle.org News July 26, 2006
Wyatt Baldwin
byCycle.org News July 26, 2006
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Note: We are clearing out several items in this announcement. In the
future we plan to make shorter announcements on a more regular
schedule.
Table of Contents
=================
1. New News/Announcements System
2. Trip Planner Status
3. Lloyd TMA Presentation
4. Ads Added
1. New News/Announcements System
================================
Instead of maintaining our own news/announcements system (which you
may have noticed we almost never used), we are now using a Google
group. When we send out announcements, they will be automatically
archived on the Web at
http://groups.google.com/group/byCycle-announce.
2. Trip Planner Status
======================
We are in the midst of making a bunch of changes to the trip planner.
The two things we are focusing on are 1) refining the user interface
and 2) working with Metro to create a version of the Portland area
trip planner that uses local map data.
For the user interface we are adding some new functionality, but
mostly we are focusing on creating a consistent, uncluttered,
easy-to-use application that includes inline help. There are many
"behind the scenes" changes that will make the system easier to
maintain and extend.
One quick note about using the trip planner: I notice that people
often try to type in the names of businesses, schools, and other
points of interest. For the time being, the system only understands
street addresses (including intersections). You can also *use the map*
to input addresses. There is more information about this that we've
incorporated into the trip planner and also on the trip planner help
page <http://bycycle.org/tripplanner/help.html>.
Using local map data will have a number of benefits. For one thing, we
will be able to show things like bike routes, light rail lines, etc.
Also, we will be able to more easily track down problems since we will
be able to look at the *actual* data the trip planner is using to find
routes.
3. Lloyd TMA Presentation
=========================
On July 13th we did a presentation (our first!) on byCycle and the
trip planner for the Lloyd District Transportation Management
Association (TMA) luncheon. The Lloyd TMA is "a non-profit business
association representing large and small employers in the Lloyd
District." Their Web site is at http://www.lloydtma.com/.
We shared the spotlight with the Mayor's Visioning Team. Our
presentation included the history, goals, and future of byCycle; our
newly revised information on integrating a region into the trip
planner; and a demonstration of the trip planner.
You can view the presentation at
http://presentations.bycycle.org/2006_07_13_LloydTMA/. You might have
to adjust the size of the text in your browser to be able to see
everything. You can also view the whole thing as a single normal Web
page by moving your mouse to the lower right corner (inside the blue
bar) and then clicking the Oh-with-a-slash-through-it symbol that
appears.
To schedule a presentation for your organization, please contact
Lauren. Her email address is lau...@byCycle.org.
4. Ads Added
============
We decided to give Google Ads a try and see if we could at least make
enough money to cover our Web hosting costs. So far, it looks like we
will make enough to cover the costs for hosting the informational part
of our site <http://bycycle.org/>, but nowhere near enough to cover
the costs of hosting the trip planner (or, for that matter, the costs
of developing, deploying, and maintaining the trip planner).
In addition to Google Ads, we are looking into other sources of
revenue. One idea we are considering is displaying ads for local
businesses. We also have shirts for sale and accept donations--see
http://byCycle.org/support.html for more info.
----
If you have any feedback regarding this announcement or about anything
relating to the Web site or the trip planner, please feel free to
email us at con...@bycycle.org (or use the feedback form on our Web
site at http://byCycle.org/contact.html).