Google has once again launched another Code Jam contest and registration is now open — Registration for Google Code Jam closes September 5, and the qualifying round begins on the same day. Last year, more than 14,500 competitors from 32 countries took part in the Google Code Jam, and Marek Cygan of Poland took home the grand prize. The Google Code Jam is powered by online programming firm, TopCoder. The top 100 contestants win an all expenses paid trip to New York City to compete in the finals at Google’s New York Engineering Office. To learn more about Google Code Jam 2006 see www.google.com/codejam2006.
Archives for August 17, 2006
off-topic A tip on evangelizing your blog
I like sharing.. you should know that about me by now [hopefully].. .so, here’s something I’d like to share, particularly if you’re a blogger or thinking about blogging. Guy Kawasaki [one of my favorite bloggers and a source of inspiration and motivation] offers up this tip sheet on how to evangelize your blog. Since I think of myself as an evangelist for GIS & geospatial technologies, and I’m also a blogger [you must know that if you’re reading this thread!] I can also take advantage of some of Guy’s advice here as well.. enjoy – I know I did! See http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/04/the_120_day_won.html
Palm extends GPS to Treo Smartphones with Navigator Smartphone
Here’s how the application works… The Bluetooth technology-enabled receiver identifies the car’s position using satellites. By communicating with the GPS receiver via Bluetooth, the Treo smartphone obtains real-time location information and displays 3-D maps on the Treo smartphone’s high-resolution screen. After a destination has been programmed, TomTom NAVIGATOR gives voice-guided, turn-by-turn instructions in one of more than 30 available voices. It will also automatically recalculate a route after a wrong turn, avoid roadblocks or circumvent traffic congestion. At $299 (estimated U.S. street price), Palm’s GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition includes a Bluetooth enabled SiRFstarIII GPS receiver, TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 software featuring the latest Tele Atlas(R) maps, a 1GB memory card with preloaded maps of the continental United States and Canada, a vehicle device cradle with windshield mount and a charging system. Available at http://www.palm.com/store
talking street guides and walking tours
An interesting use of spatial data is becoming even more common with the launch of street walking tours of Seattle, Boston, and Chicago… the tours are delivered to users via their cell phone.Some details… The tours entitled The Boston Audissey: Hidden Sites of Beantown, The Chicago Audissey: An Insider’s Tour with Kevin Coval and The Seattle Audissey: An Insider’s Tour with DJ Michele invite visitors and residents to experience a totally alternative and user-friendly way to explore their favorite cities. The three tours, produced by Audissey Guides and powered by Talking Street, are available beginning August 15, 2006. For years now we’ve seen these tours offered at museums and amusement parks, however, porting the tour to the mainstream via cell phones could make this a lucrative market and also drive the demand for spatial data… nice! The price of each tour is $5.95. You can purchase passes at www.talkingstreet.com, or get more information, and download a map or iPod/MP3 version of the tour at www.talkingstreet.com and www.AudisseyGuides.com.