Friday, February 6. 2009

NYC Maple Syrup Smell Mystery Solved with Maps

I guess I didn't blog this back when it popped in the last year or so, but a mysterious maple syrup scent appeared in various New York City locations back in 2005. Then it happened again. And again.... I read about it on Gothamist, where a user generated smell map (based on Google Maps) appeared complete with symbols of Mrs. Butterworth!

This week the Mayor Bloomber revealed the results of the city's study of the matter, along with its own map. Bottom line: the scent comes from New Jersey and is not harmful. It's from a factory that "processed fenugreek seeds to produce flavors and fragrances." The city's map was based on 311 calls reporting the odor.

- Gothamist

The State of US E911 Locating: Better

With all the focus on Google's Latitude add-on, let's not forget why we have all these juicy LBS-enabled phones: the FCC. Recall, it's the agency that (over time, slowly, with many extensions...) requires carriers to be able to locate mobile phones in case of emergency.

Well, there's good news on the infrastructure side of things. The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) reports:

- 95% of Americans live where wireless 911 service includes the delivery of the user’s callback number and estimated caller location (called Phase 2 capable) to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). (That's' up 5% from a year ago.)

- Over 90% of individual PSAPs are now Phase II capable. (That's up 8% from a year ago.)

There's a map with the article below and interactive maps here. Who does the maps? The folks at Digital Data Technologies, Inc., using their AccuGlobe technology.

- Cellular News

Another Reason Kudra/DC are Leaders

This tidbit is from an article in the National Journal about the challenges of Web 2.0 for government. (via sarahebourne, Chief Tech Strategist of Mass.gov)

The District of Columbia lets homeowners apply for building permits online, but it's also set up computer terminals at Home Depot to reach the right people at the right time.