Wednesday, December 17. 2008

3D-Remote Sensing Status Report

Last June, Dr. Karsten Jacobsen of the University of Leibniz (Hannover), made a presentation entitled, 3D-Remote Sensing Status Report 2008 (download the paper), at the EARSel Symposium, Istanbul. The conference was called “Remote Sensing for a Changing Europe" (agenda [PDF]). I came across his report recently and found it to be an excellent summary and resource that explains the existing and proposed optical remote sensing platforms that support the creation of digital elevenation models (DEM) as well as a synopsis of LiDAR and SAR systems that support digital height model development. So, if you want to better understand the basic specifications of the optical sensors orbiting now for civilian use, this is a good starting point.

Microsoft India Goes with NAVTEQ for Live Search

I can't yet find the press release noted in an article in The Hindu, but here's the basics:

NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle navigation, has been chosen by Microsoft Corporation, a worldwide leader in software and solutions to supply map data for Microsoft's Live Search Map in India.

Recall that Google is using it "user generated" Map Maker to fill in India. The app was developed in India.

App vs. Data Availability

Computerworld NZ highlights tips for the CIO "in these trying times" form a recent conference. One of the speakers was New Zealand government CIO Laurence Millar:

The NZ government is looking at economic value creation by making its data freely available to everyone. Millar mentions the Google Maps mash-up used for the government’s National Broadband Map as an example. By allowing users and providers to enter demand points and networks that may be able to service these, value is created as customers become aware of suppliers and vice versa.

Voters can also get a better idea what their elected members in Parliament do with public information mash-up sites like theyworkforyou.co.nz that present politicians’ relationships to bills, portfolios, organisations, debates and more.

Sites like the above represent the sea-change that governments face currently, one that they have to embrace in order to meet their citizens’ expectations of being an efficient service provider that builds value, in order to justify their expenditure.

I want to point out here that the CIO points to public websites where citizens and others can view and explore data and doesn't really highlight the rest of the story: actual access to the datasets for use. The site in question (there is no link in the article, odd) has a link titled For Developers that offers a page that explains how to access the data. That should be the point: make the data available to visualize easily (via a mashup for example) and also for further development (downloadable data or a Web service). I think we need to hammer on the idea whenever possible that the best answer is offering both options.

Off Topic: Valdez Cleaned Up?

New Scientist covers the latest article on surveys of the impact of oil spill from 1989.

Among the findings:

- very little oil remains and most of what does is not in a form or location that can harm animals, plants or humans. (scientists funded by Exxon and others working for Greenpeace agree on these facts)

- "All of these government and Exxon-funded studies consistently show that the animals that wildlife use for prey are as clean as any in un-oiled locations in Prince William Sound," says lead author Paul Boehm

- the open question: whether the oil residues that remain are still causing harm in say reproduction

Another quote of interest to me: "ExxonMobil says that since 1989 over $1 billion 'largely underwritten by ExxonMobil settlement funds' has been spent investigating the question of ecological damage following the Valdez oil spill."

Some of those funds went to my then employer (Arthur D. Little, since in bankruptcy and sold) for us to do some of the initial and follow up studies. Paul Boehm led the Marine Sciences Unit and I was recruited from another unit because of my chemistry degree. That put me on a ship (the Crystal Star) in Prince William Sound and gave me the chance to do sampling, work in an organic chemistry lab and learn the ins and outs of mapping in AutoCAD 9. I'm sure I'd not be where I am today if the Valdez hadn't hit Bligh Reef. That's rather sad. On the other hand I learned as much being tossed into that project than in any job I'd ever had. I also realize now, though perhaps I didn't know it then, that I worked with some of the top people in the business. It's good to know they are still out there doing the science.

Platial Introduces First "Local Guide"

The "who and what's nearby" company now has a local guide in Taipei.

Philip Lee "brings to life the vivid landscape and social-scape of Taipei"..."he's willing to help introduce us to people who share our interests."

"Please join us today in beginning the Platial Local Guides Program. Local guides give recommendations for the gems in the cities and regions they represent, places which provide glimpses into local life and local flavors. They will share what is unique and amazing about their cities, from local history to food to birding spots or temples. They are not editors or travelers but locals who can bring you face to face with their cultures."

More guides are coming soon for "Chennai, LA & Irvine, Cebu City, Manila, Budapest, Hong Kong, Shah Alam and many more." Exactly what these guides do and how they are compensated isn't described. But if you are interested in being one, you can contact the company.

Baltimore Super-interactive Google Weather Map

ABC 2 in Baltimore just launched a new interactive weather map. It's got two tabs - for regular and "best" radar, plus an array of tools all built on Google Maps. I'm very used to Accuweather, so it seems like a big leap (and I'm not in Baltimore), but it certainly includes quite a lot of options. Perhaps too many.