GIS, Maps and Katrina - Sept 14

Coverge of mapping, GIS and geospatial technologies on Sept 14.

“One of the innovative technologies being applied is combining LIDAR (airborne laser used to measure topography) and aerial satellite imagery to create aerial maps of the region. NOAA is assisting in tracking the progress in removing water from the flooded areas of the region by providing aerial maps showing the progress to date.”
NOAA article (via Gary at Resource Shelf)

The storm affected dozens of colleges in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, leaving some unable to reopen while others prepared to accept displaced students. [Flash Map]
Chronicle of Higher Education

MSN Virtual Earth at PDC

Andrew Coates details some of what Microsoft’s Steve Lombardi shared about upcoming goodies for Microsoft’s Virtual Earth and its API.
(via Spatially Adjusted)

If you want to see the local area, Via Virtual Earth guy Dr. Neil built an app.

More Signs KML is Becoming a Standard

“MxGPS 9, a user-friendly application to transfer data between ESRI’s ArcMap application and Garmin GPS, now supports Google Earth (.kml) format.

”As of version 9.0.15, waypoints and tracks can now be downloaded from the GPS directly into a KML file for use in the freely available Google Earth viewer (http://earth.google.com/).”
MxGPS PR

” Brilliant! Its like the KMZ is becoming the geographic equivalent of the PDF”
Phillip Holmstrand on Arc2Earth (via Spatially Adjusted)

Microsoft Previews New mapping Web Service and MSN Virtual Earth Application Programming Interface

When Microsoft announced its new Virtual Earth API this week, which could be perceived as a competitive response to Google, could this be the start of two companies moving to the mode of utility companies. Might Google and Microsoft Virtual Earth become the Georgia PowerTM and VerizonTM of the mapping world? That is, supplying all the maps, data and imagery just like electric or the phone companies supply power or the ability to communicate. It may just be up to you make it light up or talk, because they supply the core.

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USGS to Announce Location of NGOTC on Thursday

USGS will announce the location of the consolidated geospatial center and plans for restructuring on Thursday during a conference call for the press. Of particular interest is the location of the National Geospatial Technical Operation Center (NGTOC) which will will support all production activities and technical services associated with the USGS Cooperative Topographic Mapping Program, The National Map, Federal Geographic Data Committee, Geospatial One-Stop, and Department of Interior Enterprise Geospatial Information Systems.