Monthly Archives: February 2008
TEP proposes good things for Muni. Is this good news?
A week ago the Chronicle reported on some promising preliminary recommendations based on findings from the Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP). These recommendations are great. In many ways they are in line with common sense: improve highly used lines using BRT, … Continue reading
A great intro guide to version control
Through work on a pet project I’m getting quite a crash course on making a web app with guidance from my friends Jay and Steve. Jay has rightly pushed version control upon us so we can start working like real … Continue reading
“Hacking” traffic signals in the City
Driving so many hours in the City offers a lot of time for thinking, especially thinking about driving. I put a lot of thought toward the question: How can I reach a destination most quickly? The answer is rather complicated, … Continue reading
Driving
My shift starts around midnight. I usually eat ‘breakfast’ around 1 or 2am if it’s slow. I’ll sit in line at the 18/Castro unofficial taxi stand, at the 24-Divisadero bus stop, and eat a slice of pizza for my first … Continue reading
Politicians forget (ignore?) basic economics.
Let’s rewrite a few headlines to illustrate the point. Case 1 The original headline reads, “Supervisor looks to limit liquor licenses.” Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval seeks to add a ballot measure banning any future City liquor licenses. This headline should read, … Continue reading
Revver’s sale at a loss indicates online video monetization is difficult. (Not impossible.)
The WSJ among others reported on Revver’s sale to LiveUniverse for $5 million, a loss from the total of $12.7 MM invested in the project. What went wrong with Revver? Clear overspend: I’m confused as to why they needed $12.7 … Continue reading
Muni’s Nat Ford doing good things?
Wow, it looks like Nat Ford might actually know how to run a municipal transit agency. Let’s hope the Board of Supervisors gets off his back and lets him do it right. Link
How to fix Muni (for real)
On my ‘to write’ list is a manifesto of how to fix Muni. Lay out what’s wrong. Lay out what we need to do to fix it. Dave Snyder of SPUR beat me to the punch. I met Dave last … Continue reading
A day in the life of a chocolate taster
Do you like chocolate? Yes? So does Chloé Doutre-Roussel. Ms. Doutre-Roussel is a professional chocolate taster. Marketplace’s “Working” series did a surprisingly touching segment on her unique profession. Links MP3 Direct Link Segment Page
