Topology versus Geography in Transit Maps
Here’s a nice little animated diagram from Fathom Information Design that compares the two polar opposites of transit mapping using Boston’s MBTA rail network as an example. Click through to play around with it, and see the benefits and drawbacks of the two approaches. It’s also super fun to watch the map morph between the two styles.
In real life, most transit maps fall somewhere between these two extremes: very few use such a strict topological grid, and completely geographically accurate maps are also very rarely used for this purpose — even the New York subway map has a certain level of simplification and abstraction.
It took nearly two years, but I transferred my last domain away from godaddy yesterday!
Next megacorp on the block: Bank of America.
edit: name.com is now my registrar of choice. On the banking front, I’m lucky to be able to take advantage of a fantastic benefit- the Harvard University Employee Credit Union! They even refund ATM surcharges from using ATMs at other banks!
This post is a great introduction to the history of transportation in the Forest Hills area and the factors at play in replacing the Casey Overpass.
I liked Adam’s work so much when I saw it in Christopher’s, I just had to have a piece. Can’t wait until I can take this guy home in June!
The tweets of the president of Somaliland make Civ seem pretty realistic.
Mills plays Civ?!?
The Loyola line comes too late for a girl I know…
Lazyeyes - Wait
Animator Kevin Li crafted a striking, retro sci-fi saturday morning cartoon for this infectiously catchy spacepop single from Brooklyn. As Connor at IGIF says, it’s “almost the perfect soundtrack for a cartoon dude’s hoverboard journey through the beautiful peril of outer space.”
Their self-titled EP comes out next week. Watch for it to drop on Bndcmp.
all these advance releases are killing me yvynyl!
Unofficial Map: Boston MBTA Commuter Rail Time-Scale Map
We’ve previously featured Stonebrown Design’s time-scale Boston Subway Map (Aug. 2012, 3.5 stars) — now they’ve produced a map for Boston’s extensive commuter rail network along the same lines.
To my mind, this map is even more successful for a couple of reasons: firstly, the time rings are completely concentric, which makes the map easier to read and looks more aesthetically pleasing. It’s interesting to see how fare zones don’t necessarily correspond to the amount of time it takes to get to central Boston.
Secondly, the addition of service frequency to this map (simply put: the thicker the line, the more trains per day) is quite fascinating and is handled very deftly. The legend regarding this is perhaps a little confusing, but all you have to remember is that a station dot that is smaller than the line is wide indicates that not all trains that pass the station stop there. The sheer number of trains that funnel through Back Bay station is quite astounding.
Our rating: Building and improving upon previous work, this is a fantastic piece of work. 4.5 stars.
(Source: Stonebrown Design)
Night Panther - Fever
I feel equally proud and dirty for premiering this 11+ minute video slash pulp film. It is nothing if not wildly ambitious. Corralling a Porche, a plane, a speed boat, plenty of kitch FX, any number of strange and lux locations on a DIY budget alone make me impressed that this Pennsylvania band has vision. Not to mention balls. There are plenty of classic “Sabotage” and “Scarface” references here, but you’ve gotta respect the lengths these guys went to bring their late-night stoner visions to fruition.
Get the original version of this track and more over on their Sndcld.
