This service is an attempt to provide Caltrain commuters who use the bicycle car a system for notifying each other when bike cars are full, if a train has two bike cars, or anything else that may be relevant. With enough coordinated effort bicyclists can queue up better if there are two bike cars or plan better if the car fills up. The end result will hopefully speed up boarding time and alleviate frustration.
This type of system relies heavily on user participation and honesty. Because the potential for abuse is high all email is logged and a key is required to have updates sent to Twitter.
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send Tweets (text-based posts, up to 140 characters long) to the Twitter website via multiple sources -- short message service (SMS), instant messaging, email, or an application such as Twitterrific.1 Twitter, however, restricts each unique source to one account.
By using procmail to redirect mail to the Twitter API anyone is now able to send updates to the registered email address and have the subject be used as the Twitter update.
All questions, inquiries, and requests for email key should be directed to bikecar AT cow DOT org.
This site or service is not affiliated in any way with Caltrain, Twitter or a representative of the management of either.
Information contained within this website or updates redirected to the Twitter service is intended solely for general informational and educational purposes. Neither cow.org owners or management (hereafter "cow.org") nor its agents or representatives make any representations as to the accuracy, completeness or correctness, timeliness or usefulness of any information contained herein. ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND COW.ORG EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS MAKING ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE FITNESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN FOR ANY PARTICULAR USAGE, ITS MERCHANTABILITY, ITS APPLICATION OR PURPOSE OR ITS NON-INFRINGEMENT.