We recently stumbled onto this video from George Dailey of the ESRI EDU team – kick back and listen to George for a few minutes preaching GIS & Geography to the masses! Source
Archives for February 2010
Create 3D buildings online with google building Maker
Here’s a handy app that enables users to create 3D buildings for inclusion with google Earth – Building maker. Details… Building Maker is a 3D modeling tool for adding buildings to Google Earth. It’s fun to use, and an easy way to get on the 3D map. What a great way to build out your city in 3D! Try it at http://sketchup.google.com/3dwh/buildingmaker.html
Details of Hearing on Location Information and Privacy
Today in DC, The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection and the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet will hold a joint hearing titled, “The Collection and Use of Location Information for Commercial Purposes.” Details of the session along with transcripts are now available online for viewing – SEE HERE. Witnesses included:
- Lorrie Cranor, Associate Professor, Computer Science and Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University
- Mike Altschul, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, CTIA – The Wireless Association
- John B. Morris, Jr., General Counsel, Center for Democracy and Technology
- Anne Collier, Co-Director, ConnectSafely.org
- Jerry King, Chief Operating Officer, uLocate Communications, Inc.
- Tony Bernard, Vice President and General Manager, Useful Networks
Second Life Keep Getting Better…
I can’t help think that one day Google Street View will be extended to the next level with a ton a fabulous 3D imagery and and renderings from Sketchup, and then it will go to the next level likely via Second Life enabling us to walk around inside structures and even interact with others. check out the latest from Second Life! Via building43.com
Google Earth hits Android Mobile OS + roads layer
It was only a matter of time before Google officially announced support for Google earth on the Android OS (like the NExus One). The official Google blog now has details on GEarth support for Android OS. Some details… With the release of Google Earth for Android, we are also introducing the Roads layer, a very popular feature of the desktop version of Google Earth. Now you can get a better sense of where you are with road labels drawn on top of the satellite imagery. In addition to Nexus One, Google Earth will be available in Android Market on most devices that have Android 2.1 or later versions.
GO! Sync Mobile GIS on a Segway
We’ve seen mobile GIS on a bike, skid-doo, etc… so why not mobile GIS on a segway personal transporter?? That’s exactly what Henkels & McCoy’s Engineering Group has done for streetlight inspections for a Southern California municipality using GO! Sync Mobile GIS. About the app… The intuitive ESRI ArcGIS-based solution was selected as an improvement over using paper and enables the inspector to concentrate on identifying defects while traveling his inspection route using a Segway personal transporter. See more details HERE
Blackberry Mobile and Printing from the Cloud
Our past surveys have revealed that there’s a large number of enterprise users out there extending their apps and services to the field via the Blackberry platform. These users should take note of an interesting printing solution recently announced at WMC enabling mobile users to print from the cloud – enter Cortado Workplace. Cortado Workplace provides BlackBerry smartphone users with free Cloud Printing functions, online services and desktop functionalities, such as remote directory and file management. The solution also includes 1 GB of free online storage accessible from a user’s BlackBerry smartphone, as well as from any desktop computer. See more details oon this solution
PodCamp Ft Collins
An event of interest for those of you in GIS Alley as another PodCamp is scheduled for March 13. PodCamp, planned and organized by Nick from the DigitalGunSlingers, is an un-conference basically run by the attendees. In the event pre-planning stage, attendees collaborate and decide on some topics of interest to the group. Then they run with it in sessions, discussion and some hands-on learning. Check out Pod Camp Fort Collins here or simply browse MeetUp to locate an un-conference in your area http://www.meetup.com/
Video of the day – A Career in Land Surveying
Since I’m in B.C I’ve decided to feature a video from BCIT as my vid of the day… enjoy this short video describing the merits of a career as a land surveyor… see more at http://www.abcls.ca/
Location Privacy and How not to Be Seen
More on location & Privacy… An awesome video for those of you concerned about mobile location-based services and privacy issues… how not to be seen – simply put, don’t stand up! Priceless