Monday, January 8. 2007

MapQuest Rolls out New API with Licensing Choices

MapQuest released latest version of the API - Advantage API 5.0. Some key things regarding licensing that were not mentioned in the press release that need to be highlighted: Mapquest is rebuilding all APIs on API 5.0; a transition of their open API to this new architecture which in turn proposes options for three types of licensing:

1. A classic licensing model that is monetized through licensing fees
2. Licenses to support commercial users of mapping technology in a different way for simple implementations – Mapquest is looking into how to change the licensing maybe even as a free service to accommodate users who generate their own code through a widget or a map with a defined set of parameters.
3. Licensing the API to allow users that want to embed it into applications; MapQuest wants to offer this option will encourage partnering.

Podcast: DigitalGlobe CEO Jill Smith on GlobeXplorer Acquisition

Directions Editor in Chief Joe Francica and Executive Editor Adena Schutzberg speak with DigitalGlobe's CEO, Jill Smith, about the acquisition of GlobeXplorer in this exclusive interview. The 25 minute discussion was recorded on January 5, 2007.

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Podcast: DigitalGlobe CEO Jill Smith on GlobeXplorer Acquisition

Here are the show notes.

Missed any podcasts? Here's the index.

DigitalGlobe to Acquire GlobeXplorer

Reuters has the news first and short article reiterates the plan for a public offering:

She [CEO Jill Smith] reiterated previous comments that DigitalGlobe was targeting an initial public offering (IPO) in two years time, adding that the company would be ready to go public sooner if market conditions were right.

Here's the official press release.

Property Corner via Google Maps? No!

A tech Q&A column in the Star Tribune (Minneapolis/St. Paul) had Randy Salas respond to a question about finding corners of a property by going to Google Map Mania and suggesting, per Mike Pegg, that the queriers try ACME Mapper. While I'm sure this was all done in good faith, the message about the validity of such work didn't seem to come through.

That's where registered land surveyor Thomas Veenker, land survey coordinator for Aitkin County, Minn. chimed in. He notes that you can use Google's database to find such coordinates, but finding them at home with a handheld GPS is innaccurate. The creator of ACME Mapper points out that lat/lon are not legally binding descriptions of corner locations (those are based of distance and direction from a survey monument).

This is a great teachable moment and I'm pleased (1) a land surveyor piped up, (2) how surveying is done was described and (3) Salas offers a lesson:

So, the lesson here is not to use online mapping tools as legally binding applications but as the helpful aids they are intended to be...

Off Topic: Bye Bye Pegasus Mail

The Register reports that the free e-mail program Pegasus has ceased development and distribution due to lack of cash. Those on subscription will receive support until the end of their terms.

That little horse was my first partner in e-mail. When I joined ESRI in 1992 every desk at ESRI Boston had a Mac used for e-mail and other office tasks. (We shared the workstations in a common area and I had one of the first color luggables for my ArcCAD duties.) We used Pegasus as our mail client; it was very friendly and I recall especially liking the little icon of the flying horse.

Old Poll, New Poll

One hundred five people responded to our question "What will be the breakout company in geospatial in 2007?" The top five responses were:

Google (22%)
"Another software company using proprietary code" (12%)
ESRI (10%)
Microsoft (10%)
"Another software company using open source" (8%)
MapInfo (7%)

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