Don't feel like opening your web browser?
Don't feel like sending a text message?
Keep a widget open at all times on your desktop! Type in the code for your stop, (just like My Ride txtLink) and receive real time bus information for an Metro stop throughout the day.
This widget requires Yahoo! Widget Engine, a free program from Yahoo!.
How to use the widget
Installing
My Ride Widget requires only the Yahoo! Widget Engine (previously Konfabulator). Download the engine, install, then download the widget. Widgets can be stored anywhere, but are typically placed in their default folder.
Please visit the Yahoo! Widget FAQ for more information
Viewing
The widget will update every 30 seconds to provide the most up-to-date information possible for a particular stop. My Ride Widget also approximates real time route information 30 minutes into the future. As you watch the widget, departure times will count down as the bus travels closer to the stop. The time that is listed to the right of the route is how many minutes untill departure at that exact time the widget refreshed itself.
COLOR CODING
Routes will be sorted in ascending order by time of departure. Once a route has left its stop, it will automatically disappear from the list. Each row also uses color-coded times to easily identify routes that will be departing soon. To clarify:
- Routes that are DUE or have 3 minutes or less until departure will be red.
- Routes that have 4 to 10 minutes until departure will be yellow.
- Routes that have a departure greater than 11 minutes will be green.
Bus Stop preferences
Widget preferences allow you to set your text message code for your stop, rename the stop, and filter out routes that do not pertain to your trip.
TEXT MESSAGE ID
All stops in the district contain a corresponding text message code. This identifier can be used for other services, such as My Ride txtLink, and can be found in either our most recent Routes & Schedules book or via our online real time service, My Ride Stop Search
LOCATION
Instead of using the default stop or intersection identification, My Ride Widget allows you to rename the location to something more personal. For example, you may have a bus stop (University and Prospect) that arrives at the corner of your block that you take in the morning for work. Rename the stop to "WORK" and the new name will show up in the active stop bar and your Quick List.
If you prefer to use the original stop name, clear the Location field or leave it blank when adding a new stop. My Ride Widget will retrieve and save the stop name for you.
FILTER ROUTES
Since many buses may pick up and drop off passengers at a stop, the list of departures can obscure the particular route you are interested in. You can use the filter to remove the extra routes.
If you are interested in the 10 East Pointe bus, you can add the filter parameter 10 East Pointe, 10 East, or even just 10 to only show matching routes. Multiple filters can be applied as well by using a comma (,) to seperate.
Global preferences
NUMBER OF ROUTES TO DISPLAY
While the filter provides the best mechanism for showing specific routes, you can also specify a limit for the number of results shown on My Ride Widget. If you prefer a more compact widget, use the slider to adjust the maximum routes to display a lesser value. If your list is too small, increase the value instead.
Quick List management
Because you may want to keep track of multiple stops, a favorite list is maintained each time you add a new text message code. With this list, you can quickly switch between locations without needing to reset your text message id or filter list.
ACCESSING THE LIST
The Quick List can be retrieved and managed by clicking the blue button in the upper right hand corner. You will notice that you cursor changes as you pass over it. Clicking it will display the Quick List.
ADDING
Access the Quick List by clicking on the blue button. Choose Add new location. Enter the new text message id, and other optional parameters. Click Save when you are finished.
MODIFYING
Access the Quick List by clicking on the blue button. Choose the stop you're interested in modifying from your favorites. Once checked, choose Modify selected location. Change the text message id or other optional parameters. Click Save when you are finished.
DELETING
Access the Quick List by clicking on the blue button. Choose the stop you're interested in removing from your favorites. Once checked, choose Delete selected location.
Changelog
Version 1.1
- Fixed missing variable error
- Resolved issue with first load and preferences
Version 1.0
Version 0.9
- Added filter paramters
- Added Quick List management
- Allowed widget to recover from "No results" message
- Displays helpful errors for network connection problems
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