new Mapquest.com Beta

This from the Mapquest blog - blog.mapquest.com - a new update (Beat) to mapquest online. From the source... What's the biggest change? You'll see it immediately. On the home page, there's now a map and the most popular tools are in one place. All the controls are near the top of the page and easy to maneuver. We've tried to create a dashboard-like feel that lets you control your mapping and routing experience. Get directions, map a location, find a place, search the web - see mapquest.com

View of Coors Field, Denver - google maps mobile

View of Coors Field, Denver - google maps mobile
Originally uploaded by GISuser.com

A cool look from above of Coors Field, Denver CO using Google maps mobile... nice!

Google Maps Mobile updated at 1.70.2- now running on my Nokia N95

A quick technorati search today seemed to indicate to me that Google Maps Mobile has received some kind of update - although I can't find any definite validation of this. According to some blogs, Google maps mobile has been optimized to run much better on Symbian S60 smartphones (think Nokia N95) So, curiosity got the better of me and I ran to grab it... I currently run Nokia Maps which comes "stock" on the N95. I go to http://www.google.com/mobile/gmm/index.html and then register for the latest download. I then get a txt message where I can grab the app (you gotta love all you can eat data plans ;0) I downloaded gmaps mobile (1.7) and loaded her up. The app started me off in London (why??) but then I simply requested that my location be updated.. low and behold in about 2 seconds the map centers on my current position (likely grabbed from cell fix). Then I browse around, switch to satellite image mode, and then even viewed current traffic conditions on I-25 - something that's crucial here as it can easily be a parking lot! I test the search and it works very well... simply put, the latest Google maps mobile on Symbian S60 is freaking awesome! Its fast, intelligent, and it works! I'll be testing some more this week-end so stay tuned. Screen shots and more details are now up on the flickr - see http://www.flickr.com/photos/gisuser/sets/72157602390210155/

Gore and the Peace Prize?

All politic beliefs aside, is this real?? Gore shares in the Nobel Peace Prize... amazing! See more at http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/12/nobel.gore/index.html I appreciate all he's doing for the environment but come on... get real!

Where is Location Based Technology Heading? Where 2.0 wants to know

Looks like Brady and the gang at O'reilly are ramping up already with another way cool Where2.0.. not familiar with it? Well, if your interested in geospatial technologies, the web at 2.0, and the direction of location technologies, social networking and other cool technologies then this is a must attend... I've been to the last 2 events and I wouldn't miss this one! This from the latest announcement:
What are the technology-leading innovations you are working on late into the night? If you are working in the following areas, we want to hear from you:

GeoTargeting
Sensorweb
Open Source Geo-Stack
Real Time Data
Disaster Relief/Environment/NGOs
Crowd Sourced Data
Virtual Worlds
See more in the PR or jump to http://conferences.oreilly.com/where - note a venue change this year as the conference is located n Burlingame, CA (that's near San Fran!)



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Like - the Visual shopping experience

totally off-topic... have you seen like? This is an absolutely amazing visual shopping experience... search for goodies like shows, hand bags etc.. ten browse other items that are "like" what you are searching. Try changing the color and see what happens... this is quite cool http://www.like.com

More on social networking with utterz

More on utterz... as you can see from the previous post I've been messing around with utterz. This is a very interesting application designed to be used from a PC client or mobile. It's rather "twitterish" and then some. After setting up a profile (free) users can then configure for auto blog updates where the application then feeds a user's weblog (most popular apps seem to be supported). I configured it to post all my updates to this blogger blog and it did so immediately without hassle - it even realizes that I have multiple blogger profiles in my setup, something my apps freak-out on! Widgets are provided - see right sidebar - where my utterz are also available for viewing and listening. So far I've uploaded a message via the familiar PC client through their website, very simple, and it seems that the text is also turned into an audio clip available on the widget. I've also sent a photos and a video via mobile (N95). I did notice that having the auto blog-update as well as a widget is a bit redundant but remember I was simply testing the functionality.

Utterz seems to have freaked out a bit on the Shozu, recall I use shozu on my mobile to crunch data when uploading... it also neables me to easily send multi-media without having to go through a cumbersome SMS or email send process. Utterz seems to want to post an audio clip from shozu (odd) and then the video does in fact get uploaded.. I'll have to mess around some more. Finally, the audio welcome message that is now available for listening to via the widget was created simply by me calling the special phone number and leaving the message... I'm imagining leaving messages on a personal blog using this or maybe even posting a bunch of audio clips when I'm attending a conference.. imagine live updates from every session or booth I visit while on the road.. way cool! The final test will be to see if the utter blog posts freak out planet geosapatial as I know I've had problems with this in the past, for example, when I auto blog update images from flickr the planet GS freaks out and then I typically get an email from JAmes asking me what's up ;0) For more on utterz see http://www.utterz.com

First Utter

Just checking out a very cool app called utterz. It enables me to post text, audio, video, images etc... to my website or blog... supports most major social networking apps... way cool!

Mobile post sent by gisuser using Utterz.  Replies.

Batty and the social networking startup schmoozing with Michael Jones of Google... hmmmm

Batty and Jones... perhaps I'm speculating a bit but its interesting to see that Peter Batty and crew were schmoozing the other day in Denver with Michael Jones, CTO of Google Earth & Maps.. hmmm.. you gotta wonder what Batty and the new team at Spatial Networking are up to. With all the hubub about 3D virtual worlds, Google snapping up Jaiku ( think mobile social networking service), etc... you gotta think that Peter is up to something cool ... any ideas? Inspiration from http://geothought.blogspot.com/2007/10/spatial-networking-is-under-way.html

Advanced Diploma In GIS Applications at Malaspina University-College on Vancouver Isl.

This one from my old stomping grounds... Malaspina University-College is now accepting applications for its ONLINE Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications (ADGISA) program. This post-graduate, skills-oriented program, is delivered face-to-face or on-line. The on-line option starts January 2008. As spaces are limited, prospective students are encouraged to apply early. The Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications program enables students to strengthen their theoretical knowledge of GIS and, at the same time, develop solid hands-on skills in how to use ArcGIS, ArcSDE, ArcIMS, ArcEngine, and ArcObjects. Topics include: geodatabases, spatial analysis, GPS, remote sensing, GIS programming, web map development, and project management. The program emphasizes the use of GIS as a tool in addressing or resolving real-world issues or problems. From the program director... "Over 90% of graduates successfully secured employment in the field of GIS within 4 months of completing the program." For more information on this program see http://www.mala.ca/adgisa/index.asp

Rockies or Diamond Backs... NLCS finally is rolling!

The NLCS (National league Champ. Series) is finally getting going tonight with game #1 in Arizona. James and maybe a couple of others would like to think that the Diamond Backs may win (LO), however, most of us here on the front range no better and the Rockies will likely keep their streak rolling - after all, they are the hottest team in all of the MLB. So, what's your thought on NLCS... feel free to chime in on the poll.. James, please don't be sitting there clicking and voting all day long ;0) Obviously I'm down with the Rockies and we're all hoping here that a Rocks / Red Sox series should take place later in October.. nice!

follow friends on your phone through Twitter

Twitter has just been updated with some new features... for example, one new feature allows anyone to track concepts in real time over SMS or IM. Tell Twitter what words or phrases you're interested in and you'll receive updates containing those words the instant anyone Twitters them. One of the most popular words being tracked by people right now is "overheard." Send "track overheard" to Twitter to find out why. (Send "untrack" if you change your mind and "stats" to get a list of words you track.)  http://twitter.com/blog/2007/09/tracking-twitter.html Or, interested in knowing more about a twitterer... now you can send "whois username" to find out more about that person, or "follow username" to follow his or her updates.

Google phone and free GPS and the delusional Times blogger

Somebody shake me will ya! I'm I really reading such dribble, no less in The New York Times... now some "rocket scientist" figures that Google will be his savior in providing him with a Google phone and free GPS... I guess he's not clued into the technology enough to realize that he can already get this in many ways... read on for a laugh - I'm glad to see the Times has such innovative minds that are blogging on their behalf... http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/10/one-reason-we-need-a-google-phone-free-gps/ - this one makes me laugh almost as much as the UK writer that recently pointed out how online map services and imagery has only been around for 4 years (Adena picked up on this but I can no longer find her post... sorry!)!  Ever wonder why there's so much mis-information in the world.. well, these influential minds that are provided with a pen, paper, computer, and massive audience of readers sure aren't helping things.

MAPdataCanada - royalty free data product, SHP format

Avenza systems (Canada) today rolled out a new, royalty free data product - MAPdataCanada is available on CD by individual region or as an entire national set in a single DVD library. Key Features

 

    * completely royalty free for all uses
    * presented in a widely used GIS file format (shape files) and ready to use with MAPublisher and most GIS packages
    * organized by province or territory using proper names for easy and convenient  access
    * each province or territory's data is regionally subdivided for ease of use
    * includes pre-joined (polylined) roads with concatenated name columns for easier labeling
    * 8 data layers included for each province or territory including joined and segmented roads
    * matches and aligns with MAPdataUSA to form a contiguous US/Canada data set
    * cross-platform (Windows and Mac) compatibility
http://www.avenza.com/products.mapdatacanada.html - Download the sample files for the Niagara region

AAG 2008: Call for Paper - Geographies of Katrina and Post-Katrina New Orleans

I've been asked to relay some information on the following for the AAG... AAG 2008: Call for Paper/Abstracts. Theme -  In the Shadow of a Storm: Geographies of Katrina and Post-Katrina New Orleans. These sessions will focus on hurricane Katrina and its aftermath in New Orleans. We anticipate these sessions will attract physical and human geographers and span a variety of approaches to geographic inquiry. Furthermore, we hope to attract non-geographers working on topics related to Katrina and New Orleans. The potential topics covered by sessions and submissions might include Social and Environmental Justice, participatory mapping, governance and community involvement, hazard mitigation/perception, soil mapping, hydrology, historical development, development geography, among many others (see a longer list below). The breadth of the topics is sure to make these sessions a rich opportunity for geographers and researchers of all backgrounds to come together to better understand the storm and its impact on New Orleans. The organizers are willing to develop themed Katrina/New Orleans sessions if there is enough interest; feel free to contact us with ideas. Submissions will be grouped in an effort to bring common themes together in single sessions.  The Association of American Geographers Annual meeting will be held from April 15th through 19th in Boston, MA. Additional information and conference registration/abstract submission can be found at www.aag.org

Events of interest from South Central Arc User Group SCAUG

10th Annual Oklahoma South Central Arc User Group (SCAUG) Conference
October 9, 2007
Moore-Norman Technology Center's Penn Campus
Oklahoma City, OK
 
2nd Annual East Texas Geospatial Conference
November 7-9, 2007
Fredonia Hotel
Nacogdoches, TX
 
18th Annual South Central Arc User Group (SCAUG) Conference
April 7-11, 2008
Corpus Christi, TX

 

Find more info at www.scaug.org

Google, Multiverse to create virtual 3D worlds

MultiVerse, creator of virtual Worlds has partnered up with Google according to some blogs (http://mashable.com/2007/10/09/multiverse-google-3d/)... I recall seeing loads of speculation recently about Google Earth mashing of with a second life"ish" application bringing together realistic 3D avatars and impressive scenery ala Google Earth... oh, and the 3D warehouse from SketchUp... I guess here we have it! According to the Multiverse website developers are also welcomed to start dabbling with version 1.0 of the multiverse platform- see http://www.multiverse.net/ curious about multiverse? Here's some more info from their website... The Multiverse Network, Inc. is creating a network of online video games and other 3D virtual worlds. Its unique technology platform is changing the economics of this medium by empowering development teams to create high-quality, Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) and non-game virtual worlds for less money and in less time than ever before. Multiverse solves the industry’s prohibitive challenges by providing development teams with a comprehensive, pre-coded client-server infrastructure and tools, a wide range of free content – including sample worlds for modification – and a built-in market of consumers. Speaking of 3D and avatars check out this cool app from screencaster.. http://www.scenecaster.com another startup apparently working with Google on "things"

Share your content in a Mobile friendly manner with MOSH

A tip... Have you MOSHed yet? MOSH (stands for mobilize and share) is an application just out from Nokia. It enables users to explore and share mobile friendly content. The app is optimized for mobile use although you can use it with your PC as well very comfortably. Simply create a profile and then upload photos, videos, games, documents, applications (i.e. demo ware) etc... its an awesome way to share your content with a HUGE community of mobile users. At first you may wonder why bother, although if you've ever struggled to get data onto your phone you may like this one. For example, you could create a PDF or Word version of your resume and add it as one of your documents.. then while on the road if you ever want your resume, want to send it to someone etc... you can simply send it to your phone or anyone's device for that matter... its very cool!  MOSH is free and you don't have to have a NOKIA smartphone to use it.. any web-enabled device that can hit the Internet will work just fine. Check out my MOSH at http://mosh.nokia.com/user/gisuser