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Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 8572
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Posted on: 2/26/08 8:38 PM ET
In trying to find the definitive guide to the NYC subway system, I stumbled across the closest thing yet to a GPS ankle bracelet with 24-hour monitoring. Hopstop provides detailed directions between points in NYC, Washington, Boston, Long Island, Chicago, San Francisco and a few other areas.

Online, you input where you are and where you want to go, and tell Hopstop whether you want bus, rail, subway, walking, ferry, etc. Up pops a detailed route to guide you. And for NYC, you can register your phone or PDA, call Hopstop and say or text your start and stop addresses, and they will text directions to your mobile device.

I think I can overcome my fear of trying to navigate the NYC subway system with the help of this site. Remember that old folk song about Charlie - the man who kissed his wife and family and went to ride on the MTA? And he never returned, no he never returned and his fate is still unlearned.... It could have been me on the NYC subway.


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“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'



  
Member since 8/2/07
Posts: 317
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Posted on: 2/26/08 8:46 PM ET
What a great idea! My teenage DD is starting to go into the city with friends, and she is always nervous about riding the subway and getting around. (She thinks cabbing it is the only way to go. Fine if it's her money.) I will definitely show her this site. Thanks!
  
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Member since 7/26/07
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Posted on: 2/26/08 9:00 PM ET
In reply to Karla Kizer
Very nifty!!! As someone who would happily hop a plane whenever DH asks "do you want to come with me?", this is an amzing resource. Thank you.
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin

"Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown

“Be curious, not judgmental.” Ted Lasso
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 5095
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Posted on: 2/26/08 9:15 PM ET
In reply to Karla Kizer
Pretty neat - I forwarded that to my traveling companions so they could figure out where we are going - and how to get me to the garment district.
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www.thereisjoyadventures.blogspot.com
  
Member since 1/26/03
Posts: 3678
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Posted on: 2/26/08 9:45 PM ET
In reply to Karla Kizer
Tres cool. As a lifelong city dweller I'm fine on subway systems but always have trouble with buses in unfamiliar areas. I tend to avoid going to places too far from train stops.


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Buy the best and you only cry once.

  
Member since 1/27/06
Posts: 827
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Posted on: 2/27/08 0:35 AM ET
In reply to Karla Kizer
Quote: Karla Kizer
Remember that old folk song about Charlie - the man who kissed his wife and family and went to ride on the MTA? And he never returned, no he never returned and his fate is still unlearned.... It could have been me on the NYC subway.




Hi Karla,

Charlie couldn't get off the MTA because they raised they raised the fare and wanted "one more nickel" to let him go!!

(I was a Kingston Trio fan in days gone by - many, many, many days ago!)

Regards,

Sophiecat
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Well-behaved women rarely make history.
Laurel Ulrich
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 8572
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Posted on: 2/27/08 6:40 AM ET
In reply to Sophiecat
Yes, I remember that - and his wife handed him a sandwich through the window every day. However, whether it's the fare or complete confusion about where one is (my sister wound up in Brooklyn once), the result is the same. At least Charlie got a sandwich.
------
“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'



  
Member since 12/28/04
Posts: 13915
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Posted on: 2/27/08 7:34 AM ET
In reply to Karla Kizer
Once you get over your fear of the subway you will realize that it is the only way to deal with the traffic. Every new stand has plasticized maps of the city showing both the subways and buses.
Every time I pull mine out, people ask where I want to go and are very helpful. Of course, most of the fabric stores are within a few blocks.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 8572
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Posted on: 2/27/08 7:48 AM ET
In reply to Nancy K
It isn't fear of using the subway; I enjoy that part. It's my complete bafflement over which line goes where, and which station is which, and which exit/entrance to use. And I've been in too many cars in which the speaker wasn't working and I nearly broke my neck trying to read the signs on the tile walls as they flashed by. Other special moments: entrances that are open only during certain hours and the impromptu shut-downs of some of the routes. "Everyone must exit at the next station." Now I can use Hopstop to locate a nearby bar when that happens.
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“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.

Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'



  
Member since 1/8/05
Posts: 2196
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Posted on: 2/27/08 7:49 AM ET
In reply to Karla Kizer
Hopstop is terrific. I use it to figure out my route to unfamiliar neighborhoods. The other great thing about it is they just added a taxi fare calculator so you have a sense of what the fare ought to be.

Occasionally their walking directions are a bit silly..the way that mapquest directions can be, but it is a really useful site.
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sarah in nyc
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
  
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