The Math Tourist column at the Mathematical Association of America website today ponders if those rectangular states in the U.S. are rectangular and how many sides they actually have. It's a nice diversion from other geographic pursuits as we head into a long holiday weekend.

As locals examine the response of the Greek government to a rash of fires that devistated many rural forest homes, technology has been identified as a limitation. Two years ago the Prime Minister promised regular imagery would be gathered to insure forest development was not occuring. That didn't happen. Firefighters note that a lack of imagery hindered responses, too.

- The Economist

It was the big story earlier in the week: Who would get the nearly $2 billion contract from FAA for the new system that would use ground relayed GPS information to allow, ideally, more planes in the air. The old/current system uses radar. The new system is aimed to up and running in 2025.

- Chicago Daily Herad
- press release

He's off to college with a new car (which he got in trade for an unlocked iPhone) and now will tackle adding location information to Apple's hot phone.

Hotz new project is a GPS for the iPhone that uses triangulation from the cell phone towers. He says he believes the towers are public record and you can use an AT command to get signal strength.

- Digital Media Wire

The Federal Communications Commission said it proposed fines totaling $2.825 million against Sprint Nextel, Alltel Corp and United States Cellular for failing to meet the new standards [to locate mobile phones].

And, they failed by a lot. This is becoming such a joke.

- Reuters

The tools are not what I expected. I figured there'd be an online tool with up-to-date basemaps that schools could use to enhance and print off suggsted routes for students. Nope, the DOT offers its own downloadable software program (Windows) and data for I guess anyone to use.

The program called Student Neighborhood Access Program (SNAP) addresses a state law that "requires each elementary, middle, and junior high school to create a child access routing plan to outline and address community concerns about walking routes." Further, "completed plan should be submitted annually to your School Board for review and final approval by the School Board Traffic and Safety Committee" and they are to be submitted to the state, too.

What exactly local schools are to do is detailed on teh Base Maps page. Basically, schools are expected to download an 8.5 x 11 jpeg map. Take an inventory of hazards. Draw a route. Add notes. It seems strange to me you need special software for this. Further, this sounds like a great task for older students/scouts to perform as a community service project.

I wonder how well used the maps are? If they are used in conjuction with say, a walking school bus, or other "walk to school" ideas.

- Salt Lake Tribune