Send Messages by Carrier Pigeons
Does this implement the full spec from RFC 1149?
So I don't blame anyone for taking this seriously (it took me 5 minutes of reading their blog before I finally convinced myself it was a joke), but this is definitely a parody. I mean, just look at this from their YC application:
> Our initial market research suggests Pigeon can become a major player in the pigeon-as-a-service (PaaS) space.
> It's difficult to explain to non-pigeon users (NPUs), but the excitement is real...
EDIT: When I posted this most of the comments in this thread seemed to take the company at face value. The multiple references to RFC 1149 and the "fleet" page since then have rather changed the tone. :)
This is all in good fun, but let's also recognize that there is serious utility for this form of communication - especially in complex electromagnetic environments like wartime.
To that end, as recently as 2011 Chinese PLA have 10s of thousands of trained carrier pigeons for secure message transport.[1]
1: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8356921...
Is this compatible with existing RFC1149 deployments?
Opportunity: "Get Early Bird Access"
Their YC application contains a few additional details; http://blog.flypigeon.co/our-application-to-y-combinators-w1...
I read once that carrier pigeons go only one way (back home). How does this work?
I honestly can't tell if this is a joke or not...
I would like to use this. Would make a great and very special birthday gift. Any plans to expand this to other countries?
I would pay money for such a delivery system, but it would only work with pidgeon hotels/stations in each city and the more specific local distribution by for example volunteer or paid cyclists who know where to go. It would be valuable carbonfree messaging supporting the local economies (and health of pidgeons)! You could also do solar powered fidonet-like raspberry pi asynchronous national network and print-outs (or handwriting) for last mile delivery but that would perhaps be more difficult and expensive to setup. Not sure if either would be a viable business plan.
Wait until you see my startup to send passengers by passenger pigeon.
Indeed, if we also cut out the browser and the cloud, then NSA and colleagues will just have to train their own under-cover stool pigeons. This should be fun to watch.
In a similar vein, I'm working on an app that maps the location of hot pies cooling on windowsills next to open windows in your locality. ;)
I love how in all of their "meet the fleet" headshots, the birds are totally out of focus, only the grass in the background is clear
undefined
I don't get it, are these actual pigeons? I would have expected a photo if so...
Their startup is actually upstair in my building since a couple months. I'll go talk to them to figure out what's going on. I guess it's a way to get attention and that they will provide some sort of secure messaging system.
I love how they're touting their in-office kergerator to potential hires.
The "heigene" typo on their "Junior Caretaker" job offer is weird though.
how do the pigeons know where to go to?
This is great. Is expanding to Alaska and Hawaii on the roadmap?
Is it April First already?
undefined
will it scale?
What is the latency like?