/Ground : DIYtraffic - realtime traffic alerts

My latest post at /Ground -- DIYtraffic - realtime traffic alerts

The good folks at DIYcity have just unleashed DIYtraffic on the world.

SMS traffic updates have existed for a while, but each locality uses its own system and has its own standards. The goal of DIYtraffic was to create "one single application that can be configured to work anywhere, in any city or town, with very little effort." This unified platform is available for any community/city/locality to use and build on together like an open source project. It's designed to be easily configurable for any city/town in the US, but will work outside the US, too, if you have a feed of traffic updates.

Read the full post over at /Ground.

moblog: Travel Tips

how to guarantee yourself a full row on a trans-continental southwest flight

pre-flight:
1) hope you're in group A or B
2) buy some food to chow

all aboard!
1) head to the back of the plane
2) put some stuff in the middle seat -- a hoodie, your food bag, etc.
3) chow on your whopper, but don't put the tray down (too obvious) and be sure to get some mayonnaise on your chin
4) pick out the onions, lick your fingers, and take your sweet time
5) watch everyone approach your aisle, take a look at your mess, and walk on by

after takeoff:
stretch out and enjoy!

[this has been sitting among my drafts since my flight to manchester. figured i might as well hit the ol' publish button.]