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Technology Stocks : The *NEW* Frank Coluccio Technology Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Frank A. Coluccio who wrote (27747)	8/20/2008 3:06:23 PM
From: Rob S.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 46821

The Internet rideshare sites, rideshare bulletin boards, and other ways to hookup for ridesharing provide a needed service. But these have been too limited to be a reliable alternative. The limited number of participants at any single service makes attempts to arrange rides sporadic and unreliable. If, however, the service makes use of Google maps and other popular programs and includes the tie-in to public and private transport alternatives, then it has a greater chance of being widely adopted. The foundation services and device capabilities had to be put into place before development of dynamic rideshare held much promise. We are at a stage now that most of what is needed for dynamic ridesharing programs to plug into has taken place: GPS mapping programs on mobile phones are becoming a common feature. And Internet mapping programs that include public transit information is increasingly available. That still needs to expand and improve. In several metro areas the metro transit information is place and works fairly well. Another part that needs to take place is putting this front and center as an available feature of phones, MIDs and other devices. What will be the big hurdle is gaining a critical mass of drivers and riders to make the system work spontaneously. The more the software is provided as part of devices or as a link for online service, the better the chances that it will prove useful. To be truly useful, riders must have several time and place options for meeting rides and taking public and private transport if rides don't work out. And the participant authorization and feedback system has to be in place to provide a basic level of comfort.