Thursday, October 2. 2008

Off Topic: Print any web page "nicely"

Webware features PrintWhatYouLike.com, a free site that allows you to pick and choose which parts of a website to print (the map, text, etc.) and what to leave out (Flash ads, blank space, etc.). From what I can tell you can't "work on" the site once its URL is added into the dialog box at printwhat youlike.com, but there is a bookmarklet that also you to use the tools directly on a page that already has the map of interest.

Sounds like this may be as useful to me as Jing has become.

Xconomy Interview with Locale

Locale is a Boston-based group, one of 10 winners in the Android Developer Challenge. The app uses location to change parameters on a phone or even send a message to Twitter when the phone reaches a destination. The interview is pretty interesting and highlights what is becoming the clear difference between Andoid and iPhone apps:

X: Now that you’ve created this application for Android, have you thought about building something similar for other devices, like the iPhone?

CJ: We feel like Android is the first operating system to bring everything together that would make our application possible. Our application wouldn’t even be possible on the iPhone right now—not for technical reasons but because of the restrictions Apple places in their SDK, where you can’t run third-party applications in the background. Other platforms have their own limitations. The openness of Android creates an environment for applications that just aren’t possible on other platforms.

NGA's Murrett Responds to BASIC Concerns

Vice Adm. Robert Murrett, director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), told reporters yesterday that commercial imagery would become more important after the government launches its own satellites. He said:

"We are the single strongest supporter of the commercial remote sensing industry. It is absolutely integral to our success and is a fundamental building block for what we do as an agency. ...The point that people need to not lose sight of is what a huge chunk of our mission capability is comprised by the commercial remote sensing industry, and how we have programmed for and embedded it in our architecture in ways that are irreversible for many, many years into the future."

- Reuters

Quote of the Week

"It [open source software] is a positive disruption of the status quo."

- Peter Rieks, manager for Autodesk's geospatial products at FOSS4G in Capetown this week, as quoted in IOL Technology

Update: Possible Effects of Fossett Found Near CA/NV Border

The LA Times reports confirmation that at least one of the cards, a pilot's license, did indeed belong to Fossett. An article today provides pictures of the materials found and notes that as of last night some wreckage had been found. This morning comes confirmation that the wreckage is indeed from Fossett's plane.

--- original post 10/01/08-----

Reader Ken sent on info about a FOX News story of a reported find of what could be personal effects of Steve Fossett, the adventurer whose plane was lost in the Nevada desert last fall. No plane, nor remains were found despite many efforts by air, foot and satellite imagery. He was declared dead in February of this year.

A hiker, Preston Morrow, found three cards with Fossett's name and ten $100 bills near his home in Mammoth Lakes, California on Monday. Tuesday he returned with a GPS and found a red sweatshirt. The items at first look appear genuine and human and animal hair were found on the shirt. There was no siting of the plane wreckage. A new search is planned according to the article.

I for one hope this is the real deal and leads to more information. Since our coverage of this topic began last year, I am regularly stopped by friends and asked if there is any further news. I guess everyone wants closure.

Free Software Mag on OpenStreetMap

It's a very positive article; too bad that throughout he refers to OpenStreetMapS.