TechnoCommuting
Suzie Business woman text-messages while Joe Executive watches a movie on his laptop. The conductor approaches and punches their tickets.
Step back newspaper! It seems technology is the latest fix for taking the edge off the daily commute. The most techno-savy people I've seen in one space at one time use his/her gadgets in transit from the northern suburbs to Chicago.
Ground breaking news! Just today an article was written that VIA rail canada has taken the first plunge in providing high-speed wireless on board:
LINK
I've contemplated the thought of Metra or other commuter rail systems providing a cyber cafe on board. Would it be popular? Does it sound crazy? Instead of a "bar" car offering simple beer and snacks, would a coffee cyber cafe be popular? How could a table with a smal laptop be integrated into the ever popular seating structure?
Technology has changed the way people use transportation. Look at CTA's new Chicago Card, or this article from Career Journal about the New York subway system's MetroCards: http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/workfamily/20001114-loftus.html
It's amazing what a little researching can find. India had plans in 2003 to integrate cybercafes on the rail system:
http://www.comminit.com/trends/ctrends2003/trends-84.html
Libraries should market more to commuters. One guest speaker in our program suggested plastering the CTA "L"-cars with library-related information and ads, as well as Metra. What a good idea she had. If a library could pair with another non-profit organization to make this happen I can just image the positive response. A partnership may increase visibility. The ads could provide public transit and walking information to the library, since some commuters may not even know where it is. I know some public libraries only want users from the local area, but showing commuters that no matter where they are, literature is available, may not be a bad endevour.
It's technocommuting everyone!
Step back newspaper! It seems technology is the latest fix for taking the edge off the daily commute. The most techno-savy people I've seen in one space at one time use his/her gadgets in transit from the northern suburbs to Chicago.
Ground breaking news! Just today an article was written that VIA rail canada has taken the first plunge in providing high-speed wireless on board:
LINK
I've contemplated the thought of Metra or other commuter rail systems providing a cyber cafe on board. Would it be popular? Does it sound crazy? Instead of a "bar" car offering simple beer and snacks, would a coffee cyber cafe be popular? How could a table with a smal laptop be integrated into the ever popular seating structure?
Technology has changed the way people use transportation. Look at CTA's new Chicago Card, or this article from Career Journal about the New York subway system's MetroCards: http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/workfamily/20001114-loftus.html
It's amazing what a little researching can find. India had plans in 2003 to integrate cybercafes on the rail system:
http://www.comminit.com/trends/ctrends2003/trends-84.html
Libraries should market more to commuters. One guest speaker in our program suggested plastering the CTA "L"-cars with library-related information and ads, as well as Metra. What a good idea she had. If a library could pair with another non-profit organization to make this happen I can just image the positive response. A partnership may increase visibility. The ads could provide public transit and walking information to the library, since some commuters may not even know where it is. I know some public libraries only want users from the local area, but showing commuters that no matter where they are, literature is available, may not be a bad endevour.
It's technocommuting everyone!
posted by Gwyneth at 2:55 PM
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