Real-time Information



Source: Benku, Thomas, from Zurich
 (19 June 2007 wikimedia commons)

 Real-time information is data which is delivered instantly after collection. The internet has made it easier to find this kind of information because anyone with internet connection can look it up.

It can be used to check times for public transport such as trains, aeroplanes, ferries and buses. The National Rail website uses this to check when trains are expected to arrive at a station. You can check flight arrivals and departures if you need to meet someone or are travelling.

This reduces the demand for providing the information by phone or by asking a member of staff. If companies can provide this information on the internet, it is cheaper and they don't need as many staff. If they let people book tickets online, it is more efficient for businesses and easier for customers.

When I went to Drayton Manor with my family, we used real-time information to plan the day. First, we checked the weather forecast on www.bbc.co.uk/weather, then we booked the tickets on www.draytonmanor.co.uk. Before setting off, we checked for traffic on www.highways.gov.uk.

I also used real-time information when I was watching the Speedway Grand Prix, using the internet to check the riders and the draw for the starting gates. Dad checks the sports news all the time at www.skysports.com.

A disadvantage of real-time information is that at peak times the sites can be very slow. For example, when we were booking the Paralympic tickets, they were shown as available, but by the time they were booked, they were sold out. It took a very long time to find tickets.

Overall, real-time information is very useful, except if sites are really slow.