News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Ask YC: Startup idea by mechanical_fish on Sunday March 16, 2008 @06:49PM (#138490)
Might work as an iPhone or mobile app. Not as an app for standard browsers -- the data are too time-sensitive, and I don't have the coordination to juggle a laptop while driving a car.

What I'd really kill for is a version of this app that could alert me to on-street spaces, or other cheap alternatives. I don't usually have much trouble parking in downtown garages -- they cost so much that they often have spaces, and if they don't have spaces they generally have signs at the entrance to tell you. I once had the bright idea of planting a sort of super-RFID in the pavement under each on-street parking space -- or maybe in the parking meters? -- and monitoring those with an online service. Make that work and I'll be your friend for life.

Re:Ask YC: Startup idea by einarvollset on Sunday March 16, 2008 @09:57PM (#138601)
No need: Grab satellite images; Parse the spots for availability; Produce a "Heat Map". Done.
Re:Ask YC: Startup idea by mechanical_fish on Sunday March 16, 2008 @10:48PM (#138623)
Well, someone has already poked a hole in the "satellite images" idea -- not updated enough.

OTOH, let me attempt to rescue your excellent idea with this suggestion: cameras mounted on nearby buildings? Cameras are getting really cheap!

Re:Ask YC: Startup idea by wlievens on Monday March 17, 2008 @11:48AM (#138969)
That'd actually be pretty cool. Might have some privacy issues with it though?
Re:Ask YC: Startup idea by khyron4eva on Sunday March 16, 2008 @10:27PM (#138614)
How many satellite images are updated with real-time frequency? Likely answer: none.