Seems Google is rewarding businesses that are popular with the Google search service by sending out some 100,000 decals for shop owners to place in their window so visitors can quickly and easily grab a weblink via QR code using their mobile… i have to wonder how many mobile users (in the USA) are familiar with QR codes and how they can scan them! Myself being a long-time Symbian device user (like many Europeans) am familiar with QR codes which are easily scanned using a scanner that comes with most Nokia smartphones, however, users of Blackebrry, iPhone, and Andoird devices common in the USA may have to grab themselves an app so they can access the data stores inside the image. [Read more…] about Google Window Decals and QR codes for Favorite Places
Archives for December 7, 2009
How To Video – Google Real Time Search
Here’s a “how to” video that explains Google’s new Real-Time search capabilities which are being heavily discussed today in the social space…
National Map Viewer 2.0 (Beta) from USGS
Have you visited the recently updated National Map viewer from the USGS. This greatly enhanced and Highly interactive web service offers users an dramatically different user experience than what you are used to from R1 starting with the floating toolbar (upper left) that provides users with a number of navigation and display options. Additionally, the floating scene selection (topo/base/imagery) puts display options at the users’ fingertips. Some functionality seems to be buried (I’m still looking around), however, it does appear to be a very flexible and interactive service – I’m gonna go search for some data now! Oh, and the new, handy “Link to this area” option enables users to easily share a scene with others – try this link to Fort Collins, CO. See http://tnm2beta.cr.usgs.gov/viewer/
USGS and a new generation of Topo Maps – A primer on US Topo
Downloading “free” USGS topos from around the web?? Are you getting the new, enhanced USGS topos – US Topo? Chances are that if you’re downloading or even paying for free USGS topos from various, archaic data repositories and data warehouses (and depots) you may be grabbing older data. US Topo is the next generation of digital topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey. Arranged in the traditional 7.5-minute quadrangle format, digital US Topo maps are designed to look and feel like the traditional paper topographic maps for which the USGS is so well known. At the same time, US Topo maps provide modern technical advantages that support wider and faster public distribution and enable basic, on-screen geographic analysis for all users. Some facts and features of US Topo:
- US Topo users can turn geographic data layers on and off as needed
- zoom in and out to highlight specific features or see a broader context
- print the maps, in their entirety or in customized sections, on a wide variety of printing devices
- Additional analytical tools are available free for download.
- File size for each digital 7.5-minute quadrangle is about 15-20 megabytes.
- The prototype of US Topo, “Digital Map–Beta,” has been available since June 2009 and currently covers 17 states.
- US Topo maps include all of the content of the earlier “Digital Map–Beta,” plus integrated contours and hydrographic features.
See current US Topo map coverage.
For more information on US Top see this article for some great pointers
Wrap up a Historical Map
Interested in putting a beautiful, historical map under the tree for someone special this year? Check out the huge collection from our colleagues at Amerisurv… maps for all 50 States now available and they are also offering half off a second order! See the collection here
