I see this new trial service on the tfl web site, seems like its a
reasomably good idea. Any idea if its avaliable via wap or if theres a cut
down text version sutiable for gprs browsing (too much data on the normal
page).

Thanks

Jaime

"Jaime" wrote in message .. .
I see this new trial service on the tfl web site, seems like its a
reasomably good idea. Any idea if its avaliable via wap or if theres a cut
down text version sutiable for gprs browsing (too much data on the normal
page).

Thanks

Jaime


I've said this in other places but never before here. This IS NOT a
new idea. It is a development of an programme written for LUL staff
use only about five years ago. TfL have simply taken it over and given
the original program author no credit for it. This is probably a good
idea, as they have introduced a number of problems with the ETA
displays (look at Elephant and Castle for example), which weren't in
the original programme.

Thomas Crame wrote:
"Jaime" wrote in message
.. .
I see this new trial service on the tfl web site, seems like its a
reasomably good idea. Any idea if its avaliable via wap or if theres
a cut down text version sutiable for gprs browsing (too much data
on the normal page).

I've said this in other places but never before here. This IS NOT a
new idea. It is a development of an programme written for LUL staff
use only about five years ago. TfL have simply taken it over and given
the original program author no credit for it.

Many new ideas get trialled internally first. What you're saying is that a
program written for LUL staff use is now being used by LUL in the public
domain. Why do you expect an author's credit? Do you want vast lists of
names on their website like the credits on a film?

This is probably a good idea, as they have introduced a number of
problems with the ETA displays (look at Elephant and Castle for
example), which weren't in the original programme.

How did the original program deal with Elephant & Castle, then?
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

"Richard J." wrote in message ...
Thomas Crame wrote:
"Jaime" wrote in message
.. .
I see this new trial service on the tfl web site, seems like its a
reasomably good idea. Any idea if its avaliable via wap or if theres
a cut down text version sutiable for gprs browsing (too much data
on the normal page).

I've said this in other places but never before here. This IS NOT a
new idea. It is a development of an programme written for LUL staff
use only about five years ago. TfL have simply taken it over and given
the original program author no credit for it.

Many new ideas get trialled internally first. What you're saying is that a
program written for LUL staff use is now being used by LUL in the public
domain. Why do you expect an author's credit? Do you want vast lists of
names on their website like the credits on a film?
LUL are giving the impression that this is their brand new idea. They
give the credit to the company that produced their website, why not to
the author of tracker. Is it because he now works for Metronet, and
LUL doesn't want to give their private sector partner credit?

This is probably a good idea, as they have introduced a number of
problems with the ETA displays (look at Elephant and Castle for
example), which weren't in the original programme.

How did the original program deal with Elephant & Castle, then?
It was a track diagram based method. It didn't show TDs, just trains
on track circuits.

Thomas Crame wrote:
"Richard J." wrote in message
...
Thomas Crame wrote:
"Jaime" wrote in message
.. .
I see this new trial service on the tfl web site, seems like its
a reasomably good idea. Any idea if its avaliable via wap or if
theres a cut down text version sutiable for gprs browsing (too
much data on the normal page).

I've said this in other places but never before here. This IS NOT a
new idea. It is a development of an programme written for LUL staff
use only about five years ago. TfL have simply taken it over and
given the original program author no credit for it.

Many new ideas get trialled internally first. What you're saying is
that a program written for LUL staff use is now being used by LUL in
the public domain. Why do you expect an author's credit? Do you
want vast lists of names on their website like the credits on a
film?

LUL are giving the impression that this is their brand new idea. They
give the credit to the company that produced their website, why not
to the author of tracker. Is it because he now works for Metronet,
and LUL doesn't want to give their private sector partner credit?

Oh, stop whingeing. You'll just have to find another way of getting your
name up in lights somewhere.
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)



--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004, Richard J. wrote:

Thomas Crame wrote:

This is probably a good idea, as they have introduced a number of
problems with the ETA displays (look at Elephant and Castle for
example), which weren't in the original programme.

How did the original program deal with Elephant & Castle, then?

What's special about Elephant and Castle?

tom

--
Lilith doesn't exist, but it's an interesting story.

On 15 Jan 2004 07:44:12 -0800, (Thomas Crame)
wrote:


LUL are giving the impression that this is their brand new idea. They
give the credit to the company that produced their website, why not to
the author of tracker. Is it because he now works for Metronet, and
LUL doesn't want to give their private sector partner credit?

Did the author of tracker write the software as part of his job? If so
then he can expect no credit for it. Or do you expect your bank's
website to list their development team?

Tom Anderson wrote in message ...
On Wed, 14 Jan 2004, Richard J. wrote:

Thomas Crame wrote:

This is probably a good idea, as they have introduced a number of
problems with the ETA displays (look at Elephant and Castle for
example), which weren't in the original programme.

How did the original program deal with Elephant & Castle, then?

What's special about Elephant and Castle?

tom

Firstly, I didn't write tracker (it was before I joined LUL), but a
colleague of mine did. It seems to be an LUL initiative at the moment
to produce ideas that have very little benefit (unless of course you
live across the road from a Bakerloo line station), but look good in
the eyes of the public.

I don't think it was part of the author's job description, but he did
write the programming to drive the computer desk displays in the
control room, which is quite similar.

The special thing about elephant and castle is it's the terminus, and
you can get the info on eta to display both Southbound (Elephant and
Castle) and Northbound destinations on the same screen, which the Dot
matrix programming will not do.

On 16 Jan 2004 11:16:14 -0800, (Thomas Crame)
wrote:

[train info on line]
Firstly, I didn't write tracker (it was before I joined LUL), but a
colleague of mine did. It seems to be an LUL initiative at the moment
to produce ideas that have very little benefit (unless of course you
live across the road from a Bakerloo line station), but look good in
the eyes of the public.

A couple of comments

1. I understand Tracker is being rolled out to assist in giving
information to station staff on where the trains are. Given the
unremitting negative comments from passengers about poor information
surely it is a good idea to provide something that can help improve
matters? It obviously isn't a cure all - trains and signals that don't
break down would be a great help in that direction.

2. Can you provide examples to support your sweeping statement about LUL
having an initiative to produce ideas of little benefit? If LUL is so
crap at creating such ideas in your view what do you suggest should be
done then? Or do we have to pay you a fee for copyright before you will
tell us?
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

Paul Corfield wrote in message . ..
On 16 Jan 2004 11:16:14 -0800, (Thomas Crame)
wrote:

[train info on line]
Firstly, I didn't write tracker (it was before I joined LUL), but a
colleague of mine did. It seems to be an LUL initiative at the moment
to produce ideas that have very little benefit (unless of course you
live across the road from a Bakerloo line station), but look good in
the eyes of the public.

A couple of comments

1. I understand Tracker is being rolled out to assist in giving
information to station staff on where the trains are.

Yes, when the S/S isn't using the tracker PC to play games or surf the
net on, which I've seen them doing more than once. And then they
report that the Tracker display isn't working when it's their own
fault!

Given the unremitting negative comments from passengers about poor information
surely it is a good idea to provide something that can help improve
matters? It obviously isn't a cure all - trains and signals that don't
break down would be a great help in that direction.

By all means, giving the info to station staff is useful, especially
for last train connections or service disruption etc. However, at
Oxford Circus for instance the staff have tracker (which only works
for the Bakerloo and Vic lines), a terminal for the vic line DMI,
another for the central and a camdata display for the bakerloo. Do we
really need four separate methods to deliver the same information,
especially when the existing information is perfectly adequate?

How often will having the DMI on your home PC help, unless you live
opposite the staion? Personally, I find the service info section on
thetube.com or Ceefax good enough.


2. Can you provide examples to support your sweeping statement about LUL
having an initiative to produce ideas of little benefit? If LUL is so
crap at creating such ideas in your view what do you suggest should be
done then? Or do we have to pay you a fee for copyright before you will
tell us?

The phrase 'good service' springs to mind as something to make LUL
look good when it isn't. There are a number of problems with it.
Firstly, it's not an accurate statement, as it means that there may be
some delays and extended intervals, though generally a good service.
It makes LUL look good as they are saying there is a good service,
whereas in truth the service may not be good at all!
I wonder at times if the staff at Acton Town ever say that a good
service is running when passengers have been waiting 20+ minutes for a
Rayners Lane service in the freezing cold?
The other problem with the good service board is that not all the
information is cascaded down. For instance, a whiteboard at Waterloo
can say Good service on all lines, when according to Embankment's
boards there are lines running with delays! I think a phase such as
'normal' would be far more appropriate, as the regular passengers
(sorry customers) will find it more meaningful.

And as I write this, I'm pleased to announce that ETA is down, so we
are discussing something that doesn't even work!! If tracker wasn't
made available to the public it would actually make LUL look better,
as they wouldn't know it is currently defective.
And finally, I don't want a copyright fee, I just think credit where
credit's due, not taking something and claiming it is your own work.