Locago, a free mobile map browser with an open interface to third party content and services. The simple and intuitive interface, much like a web browser, presents a clear picture of your surroundings, automatically activating the GPS and directions when needed. More… Locago is a mobile map browser where we combine many sources of information, Flickr, Wikipedia, Zvents, WCities, Weather forecast, UK housing ads etc. And we have an open XML interface if anyone wants to create their own mobile mashup. More info at www.locago.com – move around, find places, create routes and more.
Archives for July 21, 2008
Primer on Cloud Computing
Thanks to Tim O’reilly, always full of pointers to clever and innovative goodies.. this time I followed a tweet from him to a resource on Cloud Computing from joyent. I’m still fuzzy on this whole thing but perhaps this will serve to help somewhat… enjoy and thanks Tim
Your Chance to name a satellite
Here’s an interesting opportunity for you to donate to a charity and be the lucky winner to name a satellite being launched next month. The contest has very simple rules. Participants will be allowed to submit a name for one or more of the five RapidEye satellites. For each name submitted, RapidEye requests the participant to make a minimum donation of 10 Euro. More details on how to enter and win
Province of BC unlocks digital data and strikes a deal with Google
For some time we’ve know that the Province of BC and Google have been striking backroom deals on sharing data… Last week, Agriculture and Lands Minister Stan Hagen announced GeoBC, (http://www.geobc.gov.bc.ca/) will provide 24/7 access to the province’s geographic database in partnership with Google. This information will be available online at geobc.gov.bc.ca and from Google Earth. Apparently, this move makes B.C. the first government in Canada to supply Google with access to its information. Interesting to see that the Provicne has noted on the GeoBC/Google gateway page that data layers for use within ArcExplorer are coming soon.
According to Mark Zacharias, acting assistant deputy minister for GeoBC (nice position Mark… he was a master’s student at U Vic when I was doing my degree in geography/GIS there),
by making this available on Google Earth, “not only will you be able to zoom in on an area and get a high-resolution view, you’ll also be able to download about 600 different themes from the provincial geo data warehouse.” The Government hopes that this information will drive innovation and new business opportunities in B.C. I’d like to know, can you view and download BC TRIM data files using this method though? TRIM files are 1:20K topo files (digital) that are akin to a USGS topo DRG file – it’s been some time, however, in the past contractors had to pay big $$ to get digital TRIM data – a public GIS data product. Source: Vancouver Sun
For data see – GeoBC Web Map Services (KMZ) This package contains a variety of layers such as Agricultural Land Reserves, Contours, Lakes, Rivers, Roads, Railways, Imagery, Lot Lines, Map Grids, and Parks and Protected Areas. Selected BC Park Profiles (KMZ), This package contains links for selected BC Parks to the web page containing information about that park. Note, you can also copy/paste these links into Google Maps for preview.
ZipWho, the demographics mashup
Mashups mashups everywhere…. this new one is from ZipWho and gives you, well… information (basic) on any zipcode. Simple key in the ZIP and you’ll get back in return a snapshot of the area you searched for including such variables as: cost of living index, median rooms in home, avg household size, income, and divorce rate… interesting selection of variables really! A small icon identifies if the variable lies within the top/bottom 10% in the nation – handy. I could see realtors or house hunters taking advantage of this for a quick snapshot – there are still realtors needed right? See www.zipwho.com
