“Geospatial Foundation” Sets Date for Meeting

A post on the MapServer Foundation discussion list from Paul Ramsey and Gary Lang detail a face to face (and virtual) meeting to address the next steps. The meeting is slated for the Chicago, Westin O’Hare, on February 4, 2006.

The goals include agreement in principle on:

a mission statement or short charter.
a governance model for the foundation. 
a founding Board of Directors.
an acceptable short list of foundation names.

Basically, the group is looking for enough agreement to get things going. There are still spots for those who want to attend and everyone is welcome to attend virtually.

Wireless Company Sponsors Geomatics Chair in Canada

Radio IP Software, which offers wireless data connectivity middleware mostly for public safety and utilities, announced via a press release “its partnership with the Research Chair in Geobusiness at the Universite de Sherbrooke.”

Radio IP joins with twelve other private and public firm committing funds totalling two million dollars over a five year period. Nice!

More details on the chair are in this release from the university.

Speculation: Apple to Jump into Location Business Soon

In prior blog entries, we’ve noted some applications of mapping for the iPod, in which Apple Computer was not too happy. Now, today comes word from Reuters that Apple filed for a trademark for "Mobile Me" a mark to cover a variety of "computing" and "mobile" devices. It wasn’t long ago that Microsoft moved their MapPoint Group into their mobility division. Is Apple positioning to do the same? Will it be long before we see "MacIntosh Maps" or "iPod POIs"? Cupertino is just down the street from Mountain View. I wonder if Steve Jobs needs directions to Google.

Looking for Hard Numbers and Real Examples

[Caution…slight ranting involved] For months we’ve been covering Google Earth, Live Local, mashups, etc. For us geospatial geeks, this is the greatest thing since Atlas Graphics (remember that wonderful DOS program) or at least cookie dough ice cream. But now, nearly 10 months down the road, Internet time tells us that we are peering into the "chasm" a la Geoffrey Moore. It’s time to get hard numbers on the adoption of these wonderful tools and determine if real businesses are using this technology. I’ve heard so much anecdotal evidence during this period that I’ve just got to understand if real businesses and real government agencies are using the APIs and doing real work. Have you done something unique for your business or government agency? I dare you to post it to our web mapping gallery. Our publishing group is in the business of reporting news of good technology that helps users do good work. I’m not interested in a pet locator, the nearest bar, or friend finder apps. Post an application that uses an API from Google, Yahoo, MapQuest or Microsoft. We usually run a contest during the year on web mapping but that may come later. What have you got now? Show me the money! Also, if you have some other anecdotal evidence to share or maybe some hard numbers on the number of geospatially challenged people who have come to you as a geo-geek to ask about Google, et. al., write to me directly or post a comment with the blog…thanks…Joe

Google Testing Sponsored “Blue Pin” Ads on Local

Danny at Search Engine Watch explains that ClickZ posits that Google is testing sponsored blue pins on Maps as “sponsored ads.” Yes, I see blue pins on the map that correspond to sponsored links at the top of the results list for New York hotels. ClickZ’s Parker says its normal for Google to test such things without announcing them.

Google said we should expect this in time, so it should be no big shock.