There are two truths at nclud, we are fanatic about web design and inspiration junkies; but what we love is a good design inspired challenge for the web. So, when we heard about An Event Apart’s “10k Apart” challenge to design and develop a web application in under 10 kilobytes, we had to play! Rather than try and win it, we just wanted to rock it … and we thought what better hat tip to the ladies and gentleman of An Event Apart for such a challenge than contributing with a “thank you” of sorts.
While the fine folks at Event Apart, along with the out of town registrants, are here in our own backyard of Washington, D.C., we’ve built you a little something to make getting around a tab bit easier. As Khoi Vinh recently pointed out, the D.C. metro system can be a bit of a “Train Wreck” … however; knowing when the next metro train is coming doesn’t have to be!
We give you, “Next Metro”; a small web application that displays real-time train predictions to help riders of Washington D.C.'s Metrorail decide if they need to run or if they can stroll to the metro station. Predictions are displayed using a recreation of the classic Washington D.C. Metrorail sign.
An Event Apart, this one is for you! Enjoy it, and thank you for letting us play!
The application was built using Metro’s newly released API along with some YQL love, a touch of jQuery, TypeKit and a bit of HTML5/CSS3 magic. Our own Brandon Jones gets all of the development credit (he gets most of the idea credit too!) and the ever impressive tag team of David Desandro and Ian Storm get the visual U.I. and front-end development props.
Be sure to check out “Next Metro” on the “10k Apart” challenge along with some other amazingly well designed and developed applications; what’s being done in under 10k is simply fantastic!
This is one side-project we can have a lot of fun with. Expect some treats ready in time for An Event Apart D.C. as well as significant updates to NextMetro.com, and rumor is there is an iPhone app on the way as well!
Brandon Jones
August 27th 2010
We’ve had so much traffic today that we’ve hit our API limit with WMATA! We’re working to get the rate increased now, thanks for your patience.
Brandon Jones
August 27th 2010
We got the API limit issue resolved earlier today so it should be smooth sailing now.
Nancy Seeger
September 9th 2010
Lovely as well as VERY helpful - hope to meet you all be AEA DC!
Martin Ringlein
September 10th 2010
Glad you like it Nancy ... we’ll see you at AEA!