Where's the nearest
wifi spot?
Any events scheduled for tomorrow? Traffic updates en route?
Get answers to these and many other questions by sending SMS to nycsamosa@gmail.com
from any cellphone. Check out
this quick demo: Type a request
into the box and view the search results on the cell phone screen. For
full range of currently available inquiries see the
list of features,
below.
About nycSaMoSa
This is a demo of an SMS-enabled Web Application, designed for users to take advantage of New York City's Data Mine initiative. With vast majority of people not having browser access on the go, we decided to design an SMS application that allows users submit 311 complaints and query several City Agency datasets without needing a computer or a fancy phone.
The data is provided by the city and all sets are publicly available here
One of the key efforts is to allow users to input natural phrases, without many restrictions by any special syntax. You still need to have correct order of elements, so it's not perfect yet, but getting there :)
Now you can use any cell phone, and benefit from the same, up-to-date information as those sitting by a PC and walking around with iPhones. This is just a prototype, long-term we envision users sending messages to 311 directly as oppose to TXTing an e-mail address. This will significantly improve quality of service.
If you have suggestions, complaints, or just want to give us a pat on the back, email samosateam@gmail.com.
Feature List
Location-based Search
Search for Cafes, Parking garages, Wifi hotspots or Laundromats. The search will return five closest hits, based on geographic location provided. wifi @ Union Square or parking near lincoln center
Event Search
Search for upcoming NYC community events via date-based search: events today, events on tuesday, events on Dec 15. After getting back a set of results either reply more to see more listings or more 5 to get details of listing #5 (for example).
Alternate Parking Calendar
Find out upcoming Alternate Parking regulation suspension dates by simply texting altparking.
Traffic Updates
Get Traffic Updates relevant to your route. This can be a good compliment to the instant updates on the radio. This data is updated weekly and includes planned disruptions due to repair or temporary regulation change. Simply text traffic manhattan to brooklyn or traffic morristown, nj to 1 beard st, brooklyn and get construction info along with other traffic-related information that impacts your route. Behind the scenes we calculate directions for your route and compare it against Weekly Traffic updates provided by the city.
311 Reports
Submit a 311 complaint by texting complaint description along with location - you can even include a picture! After submitting a 311 complaint, you can go to the complaint Dashboard and see it on the NYC map along with other complaints. (broken tree @ park ave and 34th street)
Currently Accepted complaint keywords: tree, sign, light, lot, street, taxi, graffiti, broken, dirty, missing, unsafe, damaged