Month: September 2023

Go Raleigh + BusTime: Elevating Your Transit Experience 🚌🚀

Hey there transit enthusiasts, it’s been quite the ride this summer in Raleigh, NC, as the Go Raleigh transit agency decided to change things up in the real-time bus tracking game. They swapped out their trusty old TransLoc system for Clever Device’s BusTime. As a result, the Go Raleigh riders had to endure a brief hiatus in their real-time bus tracking experience.

But, guess what? I’m back in the driver’s seat, and after some serious detective work, I’m thrilled to announce that BusTime is now officially in the family of supported backends for the Go Transit App’s impressive Montclair system! 🎉

BusTime isn’t just any newcomer; it’s a proven player in the transit world, trusted by major agencies like the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). In fact, my testing took me on a virtual tour of the Windy City, where CTA’s buses roll with the power of BusTime.

What’s even more exciting? This integration with BusTime paves the way for future expansion, potentially bringing our stellar transit tracking to even more cities down the road!

Now, let’s get technical. While Clever Device’s website may hide some of BusTime’s API details, fear not! CTA comes to the rescue with an excellent Developer Page offering access to API Keys and comprehensive API Documentation.

But wait, there’s more! Every feature you’ve come to rely on with Go Transit is fully supported through the BusTime API. This is especially good news for the residents of Raleigh, as it happens to be the city with the highest ridership.

As of the latest update, the Open Source software that powers Go Transit (Montclair) now boasts support for a diverse range of backends, ensuring a smooth ride:

  • Availtec
  • BusTime
  • GTFS-RT (Beta)
  • RouteShout
  • RouteShout v2
  • Transloc
  • Transloc v3

This comprehensive coverage guarantees that you’ll never miss your next bus, no matter which backend you prefer. So, whether you’re a loyal Go Raleigh rider or a transit aficionado eager to explore the wonders of BusTime, we’re here to meet your transit needs.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance your transit experience. Thank you for your patience and loyalty – we look forward to serving you better than ever before! 🌟🚌🌟

Grooving with Camp Counselor: Your Bandcamp Buddy

Ah, the sweet siren call of new music! If there’s one thing I’m always on the prowl for, it’s fresh tunes to tickle my eardrums. I’m practically the Bandcamp connoisseur, the aficionado of audio, if you will. My collection’s like a treasure trove of musical gems, all handpicked from the vast Bandcamp galaxy. But there’s a twist to this tale – my wishlist isn’t just a shopping list; it’s a roadmap to musical exploration.

Picture this: thousands of albums languishing in my wishlist, each one a potential masterpiece. It’s a labyrinth of sound, and in my quest for auditory bliss, I’ve encountered a conundrum. How do I keep track of what I’ve listened to and what piqued my interest? You see, I’m not just a ‘skip and forget’ kind of listener. Even if an album doesn’t quite hit the mark, it lingers on my wishlist, a musical enigma begging to be solved. But here’s the kicker – without notes, it’s like trying to recall the lyrics of a song from a dream. Frustrating, right?

So, in the spirit of ‘necessity is the mother of invention,’ I decided to craft a digital companion to my Bandcamp odyssey. Behold, Camp Counselor! This nifty tool syncs your Bandcamp wishlist and purchase history into a cozy database, giving you the power to annotate, star, and sort your albums with reckless abandon.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Why not just leave a public review on Bandcamp?” Well, my friend, sometimes the musical journey is a private affair, a secret rendezvous between you and your headphones. That’s where Camp Counselor shines. It’s your personal backstage pass to the music world. You can leave your thoughts, ratings, and quirks in blissful secrecy.

Now, here’s the cherry on top – I wanted to break the mold, to venture into new territories. This wasn’t just about crafting a web app; it was about exploring uncharted sonic realms. So, Camp Counselor is tailored for my trusty Pinephone, my loyal companion on my musical journeys. I built it with Vala and Gtk4 for Linux, complete with a slick and responsive design. As for Mac and Windows users, well, I haven’t given it a whirl, and truth be told, I’m dancing to a different beat.

But wait, there’s more! In the future, I might just sprinkle some more magic into Camp Counselor:

  • Imagine the sheer delight of previewing albums right within the app, eliminating the need to hop between tabs.
  • Ever wish you could magically add new albums from artists you adore to your wishlist? Well, I’m conjuring up just that.
  • Who knows? Camp Counselor might just evolve to embrace the vast world of musical data beyond Bandcamp.

So there you have it, folks – Camp Counselor, your trusty sidekick in the realm of Bandcamp. It’s time to dive into the sonic sea, navigate the waves of melodies, and rediscover your musical journey, one note at a time. Happy listening! 🎵🎉