Yearly Archives: 2011

Is it a bird? A plane? It’s AeroTrain!

Maglev without the magnets? The Aero-Train (which almost shares a name with another futuristic train) keeps the levitation but, according to Fast Company, the prototype from Japan would use the principles of “wing-in-ground effect” to eliminate drag by flying very close to the ground. So is it transit? Fast Company says yes: “Take one ofRead… Read more »

Chiltern Railways launches mobile ticketing

Chiltern Railways (UK) launched a mobile ticketing application that allows customers to buy, download, and validate tickets on their mobile phones. The free application delivers a 2D barcode, which can be scanned at the faregate and by ticket inspectors. “This innovation in ticketing is a first within the rail industry,” said marketing director Thomas AblemanRead… Read more »

New York City releases digital roadmap

New York City has released its plan to become a digital hub. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was joined by Rachel Stern the city’s new Chief Digital Officer in announcing the plan which is also detailed in this report. The plan includes wireless Internet access in city parks, more open data and live chats with 311 agents.Read… Read more »

Will You Apply for Medicare When You Retire? I’m Thinking I Just Might Not

I recently did an OpEd on Yahoo News on my views of Medicare and some of the pending proposals to reform the system. As I was writing the article, I came to a somewhat startling conclusion. Check this link to see what it was: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110512/pl_ac/8453683_near_retirement_govt_worker_will_forgo_medicare_1. How many other federal workers out there are concerned aboutRead… Read more »

May I Help You?

I had an extraordinary customer experience this past Saturday at my local Home Depot. I walked in with a small list of materials I needed for the day’s home improvement projects around the house. As I walked around the store, I encountered Home Depot associates at every turn. Without exception, every one of them greetedRead… Read more »

YouTown — Gov2.0 app for publishing civic data — is live!

It’s been nearly a year since we introduced the concept of YouTown — a mobile platform for connecting citizens and their communities — to the Gov2.0 space. At the heart of development were two questions: How would local governments benefit from the ability to publish all types of information from various agencies (from Public WorksRead… Read more »