Just went to renew my DL at the DMV.. ohmygodIhategoingtothetheDMV!! Gee, that would be a great url! I never seem to be amazed by the lineups, the disorganization, the endless waiting etc… with the technology we have access to its simply amazing that one can go into a DMV, take a little paper number (what is this a freaking bakery???) and come back several hours to see if your number has come up yet. I went into the DMV at around noon, grabbed ticket number 161 – they were currently serving customer number 93 – I assume they got there about 8 AM! The lady at the counter tells me to come back later if I want or simply call in while I’m away to see how the numbers are progressing. So, I leave and take the dog for the walk.. obviously I can’t sit in there for 8 hours with the dog in the car. I come back after 1.5 hours or so… now serving number 116! So now I’m home, I’ll head back over around 4 PM and see how things are coming. Amazing as it seems there’s only one Dept or Rev. office that serves all of Ft Collins, Loveland, Windsor and surrounding areas… I guess I could hoof it south to Longmont but would I be any better… simply amazing! Hold on… let me call the number now to see what person is currently being served…. Gee, the number is busy… AGAIN! Stay tuned on my progress! Got any DMV tales to share???
Archives for June 5, 2007
AutoCAD Map 3D webcast reminders, emails, calls
Autodesk’s Pete Southwood is holding another webcast this week (tomorrow).. how do I know this? Well, besides the emails that keep me informed of all the events I also get phone calls occasionally as well. Interesting as last week while on the road in San Jose I get a phone call and its a sales dude from Autodesk (likely an agency) asking me if I’d like to register for the webcast – talk about gorilla marketing! So, maybe I’ll save them a few calls and offer you a reminder about this latest webcast: “Three More Compelling Reasons to Move from AutoCAD to AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 “
Date: Wednesday, June 6th
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (PST) – see here or more on ADSK events st http://experience.autodesk.com
Date: Wednesday, June 6th
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (PST) – see here or more on ADSK events st http://experience.autodesk.com
City Guides and Local Search dominate as search terms
Ever check out those cool little search term clouds that many sites offer? I was recently looking around the European “Nokia Experience” website – a portal devoted to N-series device users – see http://www.nokia.se. They proudly show off what users are searching for and the following terms seem to be dominating lately – “City Guides“ and “Local Search“. Clearly, the smart phone device users are trying to figure out how, when and when they can get somewhere. Its also likely that during the busy summer travel season guides and local search are hot topics. Other popular search terms include: City Guides Flash MiniMap Mobile Search Mobile TV MP3 Multimedia Computer Podcasting turn-by-turn navigation Web Browser WidSets Voice-guided navigation VOX
TomTom Map Share – users collecting and sharing data
I just got wind from Tele Atlas that TomTom is today announcing something new TomTom Map Share – an app. designed to allow consumers to input minor map modifications directly on the maps on their devices and to share this information with fellow TomTom users. TomTom Map Share will allow users to further personalize and customize their navigation experiences. TomTom may beat Dash Navigation to the punch as this sounds similar to a Beta program that Dash will be launching this summer when the test devices are sent out to 2,000 users who will drive the streets and gather/input data and updates to their database. The official announcement hasn’t hit yet but should come shortly – see www.tomtom.com
Google maps and anti spam filtering
Recently I’ve noticed a new way for web masters to implement a nifty anti-spam solution into their contact forms. Recall “back in the day” when you typically would have to enter a string of letters/numbers that were displayed in a separate box – you know, those often non-legible scribbles that you had to retype in order to prove it was a real human posting through the form. Now google maps developers are integrating a map-based anti-spam solution when you need to look at a map, locate a place name that appears near the center of the map, then pick that name from a list. A clever way to avoid those pesky spammers who we all love to hate! I found this example over at locr – see http://www.locr.com/contact.php – note: sometimes I find that the place name that I feel is near the center isn’t in the list so its nbot perfect, but it is cool!
The Google maps anti-spam email solution – are you a human?Safe software now offers Linear Optimization Technology
Interesting news out of Vancouver, BC-based Safe Software today… The New Linear Optimization Technology Compresses Spatial Data Files by up to 80 Percent according to the company. Oregon-based TCI’s Curvefitter linear optimization technology will be integrated into the upcoming release of FME 2007, providing users with the capability to create smooth linework from “point to point” linework while reducing file size by up to 80 percent. File size reductions of this magnitude will result in much faster processing times for CAD and GIS data, and fewer processing problems caused by limited available memory. By intelligently inserting arcs into linework that depicts map features, Curvefitter technology also allows FME users to create more visually appealing maps. Curvefitter technology is available as an extra-cost item for the upcoming release of FME 2007. For more information on Curvefitter, visit www.safe.com/curvefitter.