BART Widget Blog

BlogZot returns!

2006-04-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

MacZOT's previous blog-based marketing experiment was a success, so today they launched a second one, BLOGZOT 2.0 on MacZOT.com, centered around SubEthaEdit from CodingMonkeys. MacZOT and TheCodingMonkeys will award $105,000 in Mac software depending on the number of bloggers who link to the promotion, earning a free copy of the app in the process. I've used SubEthaEdit before and its handy in multi-user development environments, but it can also be used as a text editor, although I won't be giving up BBEdit any time soon.

Anyhow, we'll see how the promotion works out this time. Best of luck to the TheCodingMonkeys and MacZOT teams!

AppZapper

2006-04-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

Found this neat little uninstaller app today: AppZapper. Additionally, they're engaging in a cool viral marketing strategy whereby the app is available on macZOT! and may eventually be free if enough bloggers link to it. I applaud this creative approach and hope the developers reach their goal.

Upcoming BARTsmart Features

2006-03-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

The next version of the BARTsmart BART Widget is under development. The next release, slated as version 1.0, should include the most requested features: bike indicators and Fares.

Also, while I expect that the widget operates fine on Intel-based Macs like the MacBook Pro, I haven't tested it in this environment yet. Version 1.0 will be fully certified and tested for use on Intel Macs.

If there's another feature you'd like to see, drop me a line or leave a comment here.

MacBook Pro Performance Analysis

2006-01-17T09:30:00.000-08:00

At Macworld Apple released new Intel-based desktops and laptops, the new iMac and MacBook Pro systems. Since these systems are quite different than their predecessors I set out to guage their performance by performing a number of performance tests. I've posted my results online here: MacBook Pro Performance Analysis.

Also, the story is on Digg. You can help me make the front page!

Macworld '06

2006-01-09T09:00:00.001-08:00

I'm heading to Macworld, which is pretty easy as it is right in San Francisco... just a brief jaunt up Mission St. to Moscone Center. If you're heading to Macworld be sure to take BART and download my BARTsmart BART Widget!

Happy Holidays!

2005-12-20T10:55:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a vacation so no new BARTsmart development will happen for a while. However, I'll still post news articles as stories develop. See you in 2006!

Comments Live!

2005-11-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

BARTsmart News Comments are now live on craigtheguru.com. Now you can interact with the news, other BARTsmart users, and BART riders. A user community is the best way to learn the state of the BART system and I'm excited about some of the killer features on the way. ;)

Comments for BARTsmart News

2005-11-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

This weekend I'm updating the BARTsmart Site with comments. Now anyone will be able to comment on a news posting. Permalinks were added when the news archives went live and comments rounds out the feature.

What's next?

Site News Archives

2005-10-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

The BARTsmart site has been updated with a full news archive, including permalinks for each story. A comment system is already underway and will be available soon. After that, a web version of the BARTsmart BART Widget will be released.

After that its a toss-up. A full PC-compatible widget (using Konfabulator perhaps)? New features? I guess we'll see in the coming weeks.

BARTsmart 0.7.5

2005-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

A new version of BARTsmart is out for Mac OS X. The new version of my BART Widget features important updates too accommodate changes to BART's train routes, as well as a front-face reverse route shortcut due to popular demand!

Go to the BART Widget download page to download this release.

Now I'm looking forward to version 0.8. :)

BART Widget 0.7.5 Imminent

2005-10-05T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hot on the heels of the recent BARTsmart site updates, a new version of the BART Widget is about to be released. New features include:
* Front-side Reverse Route control
* Support for routes with two transfers
* Interface refinements

Expect BART Widget 0.7.5 to be released by the end of the week.

BARTsmart 0.7.5 Underway

2005-09-27T14:07:00.000-07:00

BARTsmart version 0.7.5 is underway. Expect a release by week's end. This will add the most-requested feature, a reverse route button on the widget's front face.

There's also been increasing demand for a windows or browser-based widget. These are coming soon!

Site Updated!

2005-09-25T23:58:00.000-07:00

I finally updated the WoodWare site with a BARTsmart Mailing List. I also redesigned the site slightly to be more space efficient. Please click a google ad to help support the site and widget!

Next up, BART Widget updates!

BARTsmart Site Updates

2005-09-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Updates to the BARTsmart site are underway. Expect a simplified layout and mailing list features to go live later this week. Once these features are live, I plan to update the widget with two new top-requested features:
* Reverse route button on widget's front
* Route presets, to save your favorite routes

BARTsmart version 0.7.5 will be released to include the front-face reverse button as well as support for routes with multiple transfers. Version 0.8.0 will be release later and will include then new preset functions. Eventually I'll also add the ability to browse future train schedules. This is more of a widget interface challenge rather than a technical challenge.

Upcoming BART Widget and Site Features

2005-09-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

This weekend I plan to work on a number of new features for my BART Widget and site.

New site features include:
* Mailing list
* Poll
* Paginated news

New widget features include:
* Favorite Station Presets
* Multi-transfer indicator and details
* Inline news reader, not just alerts

Go to the BART Widget site to contact me with your feature request!

Welcome BART Widget users!

2005-09-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a blog to document the development process of my BARTsmart BART Widget. This way, users can follow along as I upgrade the widget and the WoodWare site. Please leave comments and feedback, as you can actually shape the direction of this awesome, free product!

In the meantime, go download the BARTsmart BART Widget. It is the best BART Widget for Max OS X's Dashboard. Improvements are coming soon as are versions for other platforms.