Tuesday, February 2. 2010

iPhone Users: Do you know how to access StreetView?

Matt McGee at Search Engine Land makes clear he doesn't and many surveyed didn't think it's even on that platform. (It is.)

- Search Engine Land

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Oops, Apple at 06:00 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) |

Monday, February 1. 2010

Parody Book Cover Ires Ordnance Survey

The book is titled The Hills Are Stuffed With Swedish Girls and the cover (seen on the book's website) mimics an Ordnance Survey map. And that's prompted the OS to press the publisher about the cover by asking that sales be stopped and the cover dropped.

Author Richard Happer defended the choice: "We haven't used the same colour of pink or the same font. I think they have had a sense of humour failure."

An OS spokeswoman said: "We have a brand which is more than 200 years old and it is our job to protect the reputation of our brand. People are very passionate about our maps, families use them and we have to look at our core customers and if they would be offended."

- Daily Record

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Oops at 06:00 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Friday, November 20. 2009

Seen During Geography Awareness Week IV

""The woman requested that the deputies Google Earth her house and keep it on satellite surveillance overnight," [Sgt] Dawes said."

- A Lake Forest (CA) resident called local police to as for a watch on her house after she heard noises, as reported in the OC Register.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Oops at 09:30 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) |

Thursday, November 12. 2009

Simplicity Software has New Meaning for Topo Map

Simplicity Software has added a new feature to its offering for sales automation, CRM and eMarketing for those involved with buildings. It basically adds views of the buildings. The new feature is called "Virtual Topo Maps." From what I understand, the data is not "topo" but is both "virtual" and "map-based." While the press release says several companies are using or preparing to use the new feature, there's are no sample uses. I did find this map app on the Essex website.

...the Virtual Topo Maps display building lots, multi-family units, or senior-living units under development or management. By just mousing over any building lot or unit on the builder-developer/ facility's website, a data box pops up that shows, in real time, all the data the builder, developer, or property manager wants associated with that lot or unit, including availability, pricing, size, premiums, and even what floorplans the lot or unit will accommodate. The data box can be expanded to accommodate whatever data the builder, developer, or property manager wants to display, including sales person contact, and even special pricing offers.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Oops at 06:00 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Friday, November 6. 2009

Eight Year Old Voter Assignment Error to be Explored Using GIS

The error, found only this week, seems to date back 2001, when precincts in Scott County, Iowa were drawn by hand. This was apparently the first time a voter was turned away from the expected voting location to another. 39 individuals were mis-assigned. Only one of them voted in the recent election, which may explain why it took this long for the error to pop up.

Now, the plan is to review the rest of county, to be sure there are no other errors. The good news? The process can be automated:

Voter registration details from the auditor's office will be compared with computerized address and precinct mapping from the county's geographic information system, or GIS, to determine if any other areas were assigned improperly. The computerized analysis is expected to take about two weeks.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Oops at 06:48 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Tuesday, October 13. 2009

A satellite orbiting the earth could someday prevent an auto accident...

That's the word from Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Ford’s chief technical officer. He's referring to GPS satellites, so of course, he really means that data from them could be used with other tech to prevent accidents. The somewhat misleading discussion at USA Today explains:

Ford and Auburn are trying to see if GPS satellites can act as an early warning system that detects when a vehicle is about to lose control and communicate with the vehicle’s stability control systems and other safety features to prevent a rollover or other serious accident.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Oops, GPS at 09:24 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0) |