Tube delays light display

Tracy Tsang, an MA student at Middlesex University sent an email recently to let me know that she is using the my London Underground tube delays RSS feed to activate a piece of hardware, which she calls “The Tube”, to display line status information via LEDs in a plastic tube. This forms part of her MA thesis.

The Tube shows all the lines on the London Underground that are currently running with delays. The strip with corresponding colour is lit up using LEDs as the data is received from the TFL website.

Having checked site logs the other day, I realise that this RSS feed is actually the most popular thing on this site. Has anyone else done anything interesting with it? Answers on a postcard (or email) please.

World survives Big Bang, originally uploaded by kronoc.

I had better pay that credit card bill after all then.

[hat tip to Jazz Biscuit]

[Background sample courtesy of Real Rhodes Sounds, from The Freesound Project]

The Guardian reports:

A massive unexploded second world war-bomb began to tick as experts worked to defuse it, police said today.

The 1,000kg-device (2,200lb) was found in a river at Sugar House Lane, near Bromley-by-Bow tube station, in east London, on Monday.

Army disposal experts from the Royal Engineers were brought in to make the half-century-old weapon safe. Police said that at one point during the operation the bomb began to tick, but stopped again when it was doused with liquid.

A 200m exclusion zone has been put up around the scene, causing some delays to travellers in the area and forcing businesses to be evacuated.

Speaking at the scene today, Commander Simon O’Brien said the bomb had also leaked unknown substances.

He said: “This is the largest world war two bomb to be discovered in the past three decades.

“It measures approximately the size and length of a man, and weighs around 1,000kg.

“Royal engineers and partner agencies have been incredibly heroic and have worked extremely hard to defuse the bomb.

“We are all working to resolve this issue with minimum disruption to Londoners as soon as possible.”

Police said cordons would remain in place until tomorrow, as work on the bomb continues.

Transport for London said the District and Hammersmith & City tube lines would be suspended at Bromley-by-Bow from 9.30pm tonight until 10am tomorrow.

The train operator C2C said there will be no services from Fenchurch Street after 8.50pm tonight and limited services in the morning.

For my final throw I chose scissors. I was thinking he’s going to throw paper. All the practice must have paid off and I’m thrilled and honoured to be representing Ireland at the international finals.

No really, it’s true.

No experience required, though good sporting knowledge an advantage particularly an understanding of the Offside Rule.

Good communication skills and infacta command of the English language useful.
…
A good memory is essential.

[http://www.recruitireland.com/job/?jobID=10012942]

Today is the fourth day of ownership of my pen, and I have to say I’m starting to treat it like an old friend. I walk around the office with it clipped in to my shirt pocket and someone in the accounts department actually asked to borrow it while we were both standing at the photocopier. Would you believe it, they actually tried to walk away with my pen! They were very embarrassed when I called after them as they walked down the corridor and asked for it back. You will be happy to know that it is now back, safe and sound in my top pocket, ready and waiting to start writing again.

Happy customers rave about their purchase.

I don’t really understand any of this, but I don’t think Mr. T does either, so at least I’m in good company.