Comments on: Brickbats to Queensland Rail and Citizen Journalism

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:28:16 +0000

QR Informative? Please!
I quite agree with Graham, it is quite ridiculous that QR can’t provide some indication of the cause of delays.
Almost everybody has a Mobile Phone today (and you don’t need to be Rockefeller to use the internet) so that seems like a logical way of disseminating this sort of information.

By: David Jackmanson

David Jackmanson — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:43:19 +0000

The expectation that the real internet, as opposed to the one you believe exists, or ought to exist, should have instant advisories regarding rail delays on the spur of the moment especially for 3G phone users, simply isn't realistic. Actually, it is thoroughly realistic and could be done right now at almost no charge. All QR would need to do is to set up a Twitter account, and use twitterfeed to send RSS updates of delays to the twitter account. Anyone who chose to could get updates about delays on the QR network sent directly to their mobile phone. It wouldn't even have to be a 3G phone - Twitter sends out SMS updates for free. You'd need one person to type a quick message into a computer with quick details of a delay, and have the computer convert that message into an RSS file readable by twitterfeed.

By: Graham Young

Graham Young — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:22:14 +0000

Grendl, one of my points is there is nowhere obvious to report to. When you go looking none of the mainstream media make allowance for this. Not in Brisbane at least. Or if they do, the opportunity is hidden.
Niall, I experiment with my phone and the Internet. And if I didn’t imagine how the Internet should be, rather than just accepting how it is, then I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing, would I?

By: Niall

Niall — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:18:57 +0000

Observation: You have a 3G phone and use it to access the internet?!!!?? Clearly you have a lot of money. Why are you travelling by train?
The expectation that the real internet, as opposed to the one you believe exists, or ought to exist, should have instant advisories regarding rail delays on the spur of the moment especially for 3G phone users, simply isn’t realistic. Add to that the fact that you’re dealing with QR and I’d suggest, Graham, that you need to get out & about a little more and actually relate to the so-called ‘guardians of the public internet’ – whomever they happen to be – a little more often then you appear to do.

By: Grendel

Grendel — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:38:52 +0000

So my first question is – did you use your mobile to make a CitJ report to any site regarding a delay of unknown origins to the train system?
This would be the usual first step with the intent of then prompting further responses with additional information.
Ideally QR should have provided the info, but I never remember them being particularly informative when I lived in Brissie.