February 22, 2008 2:31 PM PST

Avoid traffic jams with Commuter Feed

by Josh Lowensohn
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Don't have a missing iPhone, but want another Twitter-aided tool that can save you from life's annoyances? Check out Commuter Feed, a network of Twitter users tying to help each other avoid traffic backups and accidents faster than some official city transportations systems are able to update.

The system works by having users follow a Twitter bot that in turn follows their direct messages and sorts through the ones including an IATA airport code and incident information. This code designates which city they're posting for and the rest of your message can simply describe what's wrong. This will instantly go up into a publicly accessible feed that others can subscribe to and check before they head out the door, or from their mobile phones while out and about.

It's worth noting that Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft all have traffic overlays of their own. Many come complete with updated information about exactly what's happened, and in some cases estimations on when each incident will clear up. Your best option is hedge your bets and use both services.

Help your fellow drivers, by letting people know what's going on with the traffic in their area faster than official systems can register it.

(Credit: CNET Networks)
Josh Lowensohn writes for Webware.com, CNET's blog about Web applications and services. E-mail Josh, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Josh.
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by twriter February 25, 2008 11:00 AM PST
So someone is offering a service that encourages text messaging while driving (how else would one encounter commute issues?), a most dangerous practice that rightfully should be banned, and might likely cause additional problems that would have to be reported by someone else. How smart is that?
Reply to this comment
by ohiostfbfan February 25, 2008 8:06 PM PST
twriter you truly missed the entire point. If there is a lot of traffic your car will only be creeping along, or completely at a standstill. If you can't text while sitting in a non-moving car, then you should not even bother texting anywhere ever because it may be too difficult a task for you. Also, on banning texting, unless you just bought verizon, t-mobile, at &t, sprint........its not going to happen. I must say, that you post was horrifically useless.
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