TransitQ

Some users who downloaded v1.5.0 before 8am 11/30/09 experienced a problem with HotSync failing to install the v1.5.0 application.  I’ve fixed this issue and updated the application available for download.

So if you are experiencing this problem please take a moment and re-download the application and try again.

This release includes several tweaks for the upcoming BART data that will be available soon.

Hi Folks,

A new release!

Notes

• To accommodate [0043], the schedule database format had to be updated.  Old schedule databases will not work with this release, and new schedule databases will not work on older releases.

New Features

• [0045] Tracking mode now has GPS support.  Click “Track” and then you’ll see  a new “GPS” button.  Once enabled, the GPS will be connected and the schedule will be updated as you pass stops.
• [0046] The GPS “twiddler” (the little “o” that tells you that the GPS is actually receiving data) now displays more helpful icons.  “x” is displayed when the GPS is off.  A flashing “?” is displayed as data is received but there is no fix.  “o” is used when a fix is present and data is being  received.
• [0043] Times are now managed internally with to-the-second accuracy.  This should make the stop times a little more accurate.

Fixes

• [0044] In the stop finder screen (with stop list edit mode off) and trip follow screen (with tracking off), the entire width of the screen is now used to display stop names.

A new release today!  This is largely intended to get “follow mode” into being a non-beta feature.  I’ve added the oft requested “OK” button, as well as a tracking feature.

The tracking feature allows you to have a homemade pseudo-transit tracker.  Basically the idea is that if you’re on a bus watching the stops fly by, you should be able to predict what time you’ll arrive at your destination.

To use the tracking mode you go to the trip follow screen (i.e. select a bus arrival at a specific stop - so you’re viewing a specific bus trip’s arrival times at all of its stops), then click “Track”.  As you go by a stop, you can click the diamond next to the stop name.  TQ will then calculate how early/late you’re running and adjust the rest of the schedule accordingly.  To reset the schedule, just turn off schedule mode by clicking the “Track” button again.

Check it out!

New follow screen

Tracker on, but w/o a stop selected

Just passed 70th; now 2 mins late!

TransitQ 1.2.0 is out!

The big new thing is trip follow mode.  Trip follow mode shows you all of the scheduled times and stop locations for a particular bus/train trip.  So, for example, if you’re getting on the MAX Red Line at the airport at 11:24pm (like I am right now) and you’re wondering when it arrives back to Pioneer Square, this screen will show you that. You can get to this screen by viewing the schedule for a specific stop, and then clicking on one of the arrivals.  To get back, simply click on one of the stop times listed in the trip schedule.

I’ve already found this feature to be immensely helpful on so many occasions, so much that I decided to go ahead and release this as a “beta” now so that it can make it into your hands early.    There are many enhancements coming to this screen, though, (hence the blank strip at the bottom of the screen).  Stay tuned!

BTW:  The schedule data format for v1.2.0 is the same as v1.1.1, so no schedule data upgrade is needed; and you can always go back to v1.1.1 if you have a problem.

Enjoy!

Follow mode!

TransitQ 1.1 is out!  Get it while it’s hot (and be sure to pick up new schedule data when you’re there — it’s required!)

Here’s what’s new:

• [0005] Stop Lists!  You can browse stops by line, or create your own lists of favorite stops.
• [0008] You can now browse a stop’s schedule for days other than today
• [0037] You can now search by TriMet StopID by entering the StopID into the “Look Up:” box.
• [0004] When viewing a stop’s schedule, an up/down arrow is shown to indicate the first/last stop of the bus trip.
• [0039] Added low-resolution 1-bit icons for non-color OS 4 devices.
• [0038] Renamed the TriMet transit data database name from “TriMet” to “TQ_TriMet.trnx”.  This allows for TransitQ to coexist with other databases named “TriMet” (namely the old Second Kiss TriMet schedule application)

Enjoy!