Google Earth 4.1 (Beta) enhanced capabilities and more integration with Google Maps

Have you updated your Google Earth to 4.1 (Beat) yet? Additional features include connectivity with Google Maps (think search "maps" within Gearth) , click the Directions tab to get the familiar driving directions that you would normally find at gmaps, additional layers of information when flying around the World (ie, shopping, services, 3D buildings), more integrated multi-media content (like National Geo, Discovery Channel etc...), save your places under your MyPlaces tab, print/save/email images and store bookmarks... Download from http://earth.google.com/

Google Developer Day Changes Venue

Looks like the developer day from Google is growing in popularity... as a result things are changing a bit - too bad as last year's GeoDeveloper day was a real cozy event that had us a the Googleplex for the day. The event will now take place at the convention center, and it will also go late into the night. Good news I guess, although it now throws a wrench in travel plans. If you plan on taking in Where 2.0 and Google Developer day you may as well book yourself into a hotel for the week. Where 2.0 actually kicks off Monday night even though it's not officially scheduled to start until Tuesday. Flying in Tuesday isn't really an option unless you plan on missing out on the meat of the show. Google developer day is all day and then there are plans to head back to Googleplex in the evening.. add on another night for the hotel and change those flight plans to Friday.. this is getting messy. Not sure about you but for me the thought of killing a whole week on this stuff is getting a bit nasty (and costly).

 

This note came from Google today... "We wanted to let you know that due to the overwhelming number of registrations, we've moved the session portion of the day to the San Jose Convention Center. From 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., we'll be bringing ourselves and a little of the Google campus a few miles south. After the sessions wrap up at 6:00, everyone will head back up to the Google campus for food, music and general chilling out with other developers from around the United States and the world. For everyone's convenience, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Google will provide shuttle buses that will run continually between the Convention Center and the Google campus. We'll be posting more information about the event in the next few days, so check back at http://code.google.com for the latest information.

Google LatLong: A new world unfolding

Google LatLong: A new world unfolding

LizardTech 10% off ASPRS promotion continues

The crew at Seattle-based LizardTech has a special summer promotion that's just kicked off. Now through June 29, 2007, receive 10% off on any LizardTech geospatial product (MSRP $1,499 and up) when you mention your ASPRS membership and buy directly from LizardTech. You can always contact their sales team at geosales @ lizardtech.com for more info. See www.lizardtech.com

USGS using Google Maps for downloader to serve up free GeoPDF topos

The USGS, like many other commercial agencies, is using Google Maps in their apps... the latest use is in the very cool USGS Map downloader app. Users can explore USGS data using a simple gmaps UI. Then you can order or even better, download free USGS topos as GeoPDFs. I've explained in detail how you can use the Downloader app and what and how to work with GeoPDFs... see the tutorial here - http://www.gisuser.com/content/view/11575/  - anyone else using GeoPDFs?

Sailblogs - social networking and mapping for sailors

Here's an interesting solution for sailors. SailBlogs is a provider of blogging and map tracking solutions for the sailing community. From weekend sailors to ocean racers and cruisers, SailBlogs provides members with web-based journals (blogs), photo and video galleries and map tracking for their adventures. Upload videos and even share your treks with others via Google Earth. See http://www.sailblogs.com/ - One user getting some press recently as a Florida-based sailor (Margo Pellegrino) who's going from Miami to Maine in an outrigger canoe to raise awareness of the oceans and to recognize the problems and issues that we're faced with... See http://www.miami2maine.com/

Hanke and Team Rolls out Google Lat Long (Geo) Blog

Ok, another blog... like Google doesn't have enough of them already! However, this one is strictly focused on Google, Geo, webmapping, the geoweb, yadayada. The Google Lat Long Blog will keep you informed with news and notes directly from the Google Earth and maps team, headed up by John Hanke - see http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/

Try a profilactic mashup... you won't be sorry! The GISuser Profilactic

Just surfing around and stumbled onto a fantastic mashup resource... I think I found it on the Mashup search engine I created! Anyway, Profilactic lets you create your own space and then mashup all your web 2.0 services in one handy palce.. its totally cool. Check out my space that I just created mashing up my delicious posts, flickr stream, youtube videos and more.. WOW.. get yourself a profilactic! See http://www.profilactic.com/mashup/gisuser

Gas up again

ok, how many freaking times this week is gas going up... OHMY #$%#$%! Once again as I drive by the station today the price went up another  .10 a gallon - $3.19. I thought things were brutal last year but this is totally whacked! What's amazing is that apparently production is at about 85% but the margins are soaring.. simply put, there's absolutely no incentive for producers to increase the supply.. why would they.. it would cost them money! Anyone want to buy a Ford Expedition?? Looking for a cool Gas Price map? See this awesome Gas temperature map over at gasbuddy - http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx

Some other cool Gas Price maps are available at:

Gas Dashboard - http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/transportation/gas.html

myWikiMap - http://www.mywikimap.com/

Map Gas Prices - http://www.mapgasprices.com/

Gadgets Gadgets.. be the first on the block with a swanky new UIQ smartphone - The P1

Here's the latest from Sony Ericsson if you want to make your friends (and the guy at the cell phone outlet) drool... enter the P1. Based on the UIQ form factor, this device sports a QWERTY keyboard, 3.2 megapixel camera, WLAN and Voip, touchscreen display and loads more. If you aren't familiar with UIQ its an open platform that offers broad potential for multimedia applications from operators/carriers, content owners and third party developers and sits on the Symbian OS. My colleagur Richard wrote up a nice piece on the device after an interview with a key SE Exec. See HERE

O'reilly on Live Software and what Would Google Do with all that data

Over on the Oreilly Radar, Tim has an interesting thread going on the topic of what would Google (and others) would or could do with the data they collect. Tim delves into this with a distinct focus on how Web 2.0 has changed the way that these web giants of today can and may use the data they collect.  See http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/05/what_would_goog.html - when I read this it made me wonder about an old bank of mine - RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) I swear, these guys are so "with it" that they still use dot matrix printers in some branches (if you don't know what a dot matrix printer is then forget it... its a long story) and they enable their "clients" to have online access to a whopping 3 months of their banking history... what the hell is that all about? Sorry RBC, but get with it and give access to my entire history... surely with all the billions in revs you have each year you can hire a few developers can't you?? I wonder what they do with all the data they collect??? ok, I digress ;0)

fortisuOne comes up with PollMappr - share your poll with others using Google earth

Ok, this one is way too cool... this clever app from fortiusone enables users to quickly and easily create a poll about anything, view it, share it, etc... and embed on your blog... NICE! Even cooler, users have the option of viewing results in Google Earth. You can try it out and create your own poll at http://www.pollmappr.com/ - More about FortiusOne can be found at http://fortiusone.com/ - you can see my test poll at http://www.pollmappr.com/polls/78 - you can grab the KMZ here - http://www.pollmappr.com/polls/78.kmz - or simply cast your vote using the application provided below...




FortiusOne will be at Where 2.0 later this month and the gang is using the app to serve up a poll on what kind of beer they should serve at the event!

GISuser Today - Wed May 9

From today's edition of "GISuser Today"... What do SPOT Image, the Eugene Water & Electric Board, ECORP Consulting, County of Chester, and LandWorks, Inc. have in common? All of them are recruiting GIS professionals for open positions and have elected to take advantage of our Free career posting at the GISuser Career Board... check out these and many other opportunities. On the topic of product announcement, we're still quite busy this week with details of the latest from Safe Software which now boasts added support for raster data; Leica Geospatial has introduced the new Leica ALS Corridor Mapper LIDAR System; MapInfo is touting the latest in their flagship product, MapInfo 9 (did you know I was a long-time MapInfo user back in the day?). Finally, congrats to GITA who've rebounded back from a conflict in partnering up with ASPRS next year, instead now turning to a partnership with the INTERGEO Organizers. GITA will be working with them on an International Exhibitor Trade Mission - if this interests you then be sure to contact GITA for more info (tell em Glenn sent you ;0) Finally, in an effort to plug our readers, I'm pleased to spotlight a resume just listed in our Resume Board... from Rob in St. Louis... "Employment in a position that will allow me to utilize and further develop my skills in geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, remote sensing and digital image processing, environmental assessment, as well as graphic design software and techniques" - Good Luck Rob! Feel free to post your resume next! View the newsletter for yourself at http://www.gisuser.com/newsletter/may092007.html

GIS Day and Geography awareness Week - a template

Many of us are ware that GIS Day and Geography awareness week are planned for November. The CAG will be using "theme days" this year... The Canadian Association of Geographers will be using Theme Days as the focus of Geography Awareness Week (GAW) 2007. The dates and Theme Days for GAW 2007 are as follows:

Monday, Nov. 12  - Weather and Climate Day
Tuesday, Nov. 13  - Water Day
Wednesday, Nov.14 - GIS Day
Thursday, Nov. 15 - Transportation Day
Friday, Nov. 16 - Food and Health Day

Perhaps this could be a good template for others to follow if you plan on celebrating for the entire week.

 

sure, one more cup - 2 creams and one sugar please!

off topic.. oh man, I just realized after pouring myself a cup of coffee that I'm now working on my 8th cup of the day... is that normal? On the upside I've walked the dog (thanks Nash for getting me up at 4:45 today so I could get a head start on things), cranked out 2 newsletters this morning, updated about 25 press items on 3 sites, wrote 2 short articles, drove the kids to school, skimmed the paper, responded to about 25 emails, created and printed out some new business cards, shopped for a cheapo flight to San Jose, and a few other things... all before noon. If anyone has any suggestions on alternatives and maybe a way that I can weed myself away from this nasty addiction feel free to shout out to me... I'll be up and waiting for your response!

Looking for an audience for your mobile app? Think like a kid!

How's this for a stat... 50 to 70 percent of 12- to 14-year olds have their own cell phones (in the US)... more important, this demographic is savvy, like to explore, and will consume data... definitely key in driving ARPU. So, if you have a mobile app think about the kids and target them... I'm still waiting for a fun, and clever mobile app that will integrate moblogging, friend sharing, photo AND vide capture, and maps, all in one SIMPLE to USE application. This is almost possible if I had a Nokia N95... but realistically, how many of us are in the market for yet another $600 cell phone?? Oh, speaking of phones.. if you happen to score a new N95 and are stuck on how to get the data and apps off your old phone and onto the new one then check out solutions from oxygen software.

Networks In Motion hit one million LBS user mark

Is now the time for LBS? Who knows... navigation, geopositioning, and maps are all very cool but is it the killer appyet?  I won't argue that one as there's so many sides you could take... personally I'm still convinced ease of use is the ultimate killer enabler for mobile technologies but LBS may be a near second in the category! Today NIM announced the following... Networks In Motion, the award-winning wireless navigation and location-based services (LBS) company, today announced that it recently exceeded one million paid users of its real-time navigation services on GPS-enabled mobile phones based on the company’s LBS NavBuilder^™ platform. Recall NIM got a kick-start by winning the Navteq LBS Challenge... this springboarded the company into the spotlight and set them on their way. You developers, if you have a cool app and want attention then be sure to use a foum like the LBS challenge or perhaps the Forum Nokia Pro awards to get things rolling... entry is free and the payoffs are priceless! Check out NIM at http://www.networksinmotion.com - more on LBS always at www.lbszone.com

 

Event reminder - Autodesk road show - Experience the Possibilities Tour

Here's a reminder of a traveling road show from AutoDesk where you can see and hear about the 2008 product lineup... I've been to a few of these in the past and they are always a great way to get the latest from the company, it's free, and you get to schmooze with some local GISers as well... Autodesk Experience the Possibilities Tour - from the company... "Discover what it's like to experience your next project - all before anything is created in the real world. See how productivity can be increased, errors reduced and valuable time saved with new functions and smart applications. And get your specific industry questions answered by our experts." - Be sure to register in advance as they will fill up!

Future Dates:

May 8, 2007 Montreal, QC
May 9, 2007 Toronto, ON
May 11, 2007 Boston, MA
May 15, 2007 San Jose, CA
May 16, 2007 Anaheim, CA
May 17, 2007 Seattle, WA
June 5, 2007 Chicago, IL
June 7, 2007 Vancouver, BC
June 13, 2007 Winnipeg, MB
June 14, 2007 Edmonton, AB
June 15, 2007 Calgary, AB
June 19, 2007 Halifax, NS
June 21, 2007 Ottawa, ON
September 18, 2007 Atlanta, GA
September 19, 2007 Denver, CO
September 20, 2007 Phoenix, AZ

 

You can register at http://www.autodesk.com/live

GIS mapping foreclosures in Texas

With foreclosures on the rise all over the place there's no surprise that GIS is helping get the word out. Bexar County (San Antonio, TX) has just beefed up their GIS with the addition of a public foreclosure webmap... from the county - This new website displays foreclosed properties that will be auctioned on the steps of the County Courthouse on. This interactive map features street and city lines, floodplain information, aerial photos and property tax information from the Bexar County Appraisal District. The flags on the map represent properties to be sold. By clicking on the flags, you can obtain the County Clerk document numbers for the official foreclosure notices, which can be accessed through our main website - http://maps.bexar.org/imf/sites/cc_foreclosure_beta/jsp/launch.jsp

Intergraph out of Utility business - Batty sets the clueless straight!

I found this interesting - and amusing from Peter Batty regarding some industry speculation on his departure from Intergraph... this from Peter's Blog... "I have heard from my friends in the Intergraph utility team that competitive salespeople have been telling customers that I left Intergraph because they are pulling out of the utility business, and I just wanted to say that this is complete nonsense. The utility business is one of Intergraph's most profitable areas, and Intergraph has some strong momentum there right now and is very committed to the business"... imagine.. "industry" people actually thinking that Intergraph would be getting out of the utility business... sorry but if your one of those people that would actually think such nonsense then maybe give your head a shake (you might even consider a new line of work too since you're obviously out to lunch!)... See more on Peter's blog - http://geothought.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-can-you-tell-when-gis-salesman-is.html - On a side note... the annual Intergraph Conference (sorry but the actual name of it escapes me as it seems to change names every year!) will feature Neil Armstrong as the keynote speaker.. how cool is that?