http://apb.directionsmag.com/ en Serendipity 0.8.2 - http://www.s9y.org/ joe.francica@directionsmag.com website@directionsmag.com http://www.allpointsblog.com/templates/default/img/rss-title.gif http://apb.directionsmag.com/ 114 27 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4885-Update-Siderelis-Named-first-DOI-GIO.html USGS http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4885-Update-Siderelis-Named-first-DOI-GIO.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4885 3 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4885 (Adena Schutzberg) Update 10/10/08: No word back from DOI Communications team on the process used to select Siderelis, though I did leave a message. Also, it's interesting to note that the appointment was shared with attendees at the <a href="http://www.directionsmag.com/press.releases/?duty=Show&id=25467">MAPPS Washington Policy Forum Luncheon</a> last month.<br /> <br /> --- original post 10/8/08 ----<br /> <br /> In a <a href="http://www.directionsmag.com/press.releases/?duty=Show&id=25402">press release</a> dated Monday the Department of Interior announced the appointment of Karen Siderelis as the first Geospatial Information Officer for the Dept. I found the release on the <a href="http://7thspace.com/headlines/294745/karen_siderelis_selected_as_interior_departments_first_geospatial_information_officer.html">wire</a> Tuesday afternoon, so perhaps there was a delay in distribution.<br /> <br /> Recall that Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced the position to much excitement at the ESRI User Conference this past August. Rumors were afoot then but no one seemed to know how the job would be filled nor how long it would take. The fact that it wrapped up so fast suggests to me that they already had Ms. Siderelis in mind. <br /> <br /> James Cason, associate deputy secretary of the Interior, offered his take: "Karen has a proven record of achievement establishing and managing geospatial programs. I am confident she will provide tremendous leadership in advancing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure through our national and international responsibilities and ensure coordination of GIS efforts in all nine Interior bureaus."<br /> <br /> Siderelis' name most recently was associated with a consolidation effort at USGS that basically <a href="http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/2963-DOI-Cancels-A-76;-Rolla-and-Denver-to-Remain-Open-as-NGTOC-Sites.html">left two</a> not one National Geospatial Technical Operations Center sites: Denver and Rolla. <br /> <br /> I contacted the DOI for information on the selection process. I'll update this post once I hear back. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:35:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4885-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4902-Pretty-Picture-vs.-Satellite-Imagery-in-Use.html Remote Sensing http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4902-Pretty-Picture-vs.-Satellite-Imagery-in-Use.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4902 2 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4902 (Adena Schutzberg) Based on coverage, the <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10061686-2.html">new image from GeoEye 1 of Kutztown University</a> is getting far more play (69 hits in Google News today) than an <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/amnesty-international-satellite-images-reveal/story.aspx?guid=%7BE933BBFB-9029-46B1-8FA6-77E0B888E2A8%7D&dist=hppr">analysis</a> from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Amnesty international that used change detection to determine the extent of destruction in South Ossetia (41 hits in Google News today).<br /> <br /> Now, I know that's not a scientific analysis, but I do hope we are moving toward being as excited about what we can do with the images as just having them available.<br /> <br /> <br /> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:14:24 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4902-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4901-ITC-Confirms-SiRF-Infringement-on-Three-Patents.html GPSPatents http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4901-ITC-Confirms-SiRF-Infringement-on-Three-Patents.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4901 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4901 (Adena Schutzberg) Broadcom Corp. whose Global Locate Inc. holds the three patents in question stated that that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) confirmed its initial finding of SiRF Technology Holdings Inc. (SIRF) infringement. There are three other patents that also need to be reviewed. It sounds like the court will soon impose remediation which may include a ban on imports and/or sales and use in the U.S.<br /> <br /> - <a href="http://www.rttnews.com/Content/BreakingNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=737296%20&Category=Breaking%20News">RTT News</a> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:04:19 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4901-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4894-Quiz-Which-Three-Countries-Ban-GPS.html GPSSatellite Navigation http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4894-Quiz-Which-Three-Countries-Ban-GPS.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4894 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4894 (Adena Schutzberg) Answer below, but one is Egypt. <a href="http://dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=16972">The Daily News Egypt</a> explains how getting a license for its use is possible, but that most people simply live with the ban. That includes mapping companies, those who wish to sell GPS-enabled cell phones and others.<br /> <br /> The official word from Sherif Guinena, vice chairman of the National Telecommunication Regulator Agency (NTRA):<br /> <blockquote>GPS is allowed in Egypt but you must have a license after getting approval from security authorities. No doubt this technology is very important, brand new service and a big advantage if it is allowed, but we have to abide to security laws; because when we give a license to any new communication device we need the approval of the board which represents all state agencies.</blockquote><br /><a href="http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4894-guid.html#extended">Continue reading "Quiz: Which Three Countries Ban GPS?"</a> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4894-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4895-SpotCrime.com-UCrime.com-Founder-Learns-About-Data-Sharing.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4895-SpotCrime.com-UCrime.com-Founder-Learns-About-Data-Sharing.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4895 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4895 (Adena Schutzberg) Actually, Colin Drane who founded both sites is learning about lack of sharing. His own home town police department, Charlottesville, VA, which shares local crime data with newspapers, won't share it with him for SpotCrime. Why? He notes it's because his site is ad-driven. Most local papers also run ads both in print and online, including the one that ran this story he points out.<br /> <br /> There's actually a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clery_Act">federal law</a> requiring colleges and university's that receive federal funding to share crime information. It appeared after a Lehigh student was raped in 1986.<br /> <br /> - <a href="http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2008/10/09/vexed-tracker-crime-spotting-site-denied-cop-reports/">The Hook</a> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4895-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4896-MapQuest-Adds-Content.html MapQuest http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4896-MapQuest-Adds-Content.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4896 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4896 (Adena Schutzberg) In its continuing effort to keep up with other mapping sites, MapQuest Thursday added Yelp reviews to its main site and sports information to its Local site. Also, its ads are updated to look more "modern" than single above map banners.<br /> <br /> - <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10062037-2.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5">C|net/Webware</a> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4896-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4897-Android-Product-Manager-on-Maps.html Google http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4897-Android-Product-Manager-on-Maps.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4897 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4897 (Adena Schutzberg) Android Product Manager David Conway talks about the Google Maps capabilities on the <a href="http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2008/10/google-on-android-maps.html">Google Mobile blog</a>. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4897-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4898-Ordnance-Survey-Pushing-Licensing-for-Planning-Applications.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4898-Ordnance-Survey-Pushing-Licensing-for-Planning-Applications.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4898 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4898 (Adena Schutzberg) <a href="http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/business/Ordnance-Survey-Ensure-map-data.4576858.jp">Peterborough Today</a> reports that those who submit planning applications with inaccurate or unlicensed data may be denied permits. The OS wants to insure that data is licensed and thus necessarily "up-to-date."<br /> <blockquote>The central message is that just as property professionals should ensure their software licences are valid and their construction tools are correctly calibrated, they should also make certain their map data is properly licensed. If they do, they will know their data is accurate and up-to-date.</blockquote><br /> OS offers this <a href="http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/site/contact/maps-for-planning-applications.html">webpage</a> on how to get such maps.<br /> <br /> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4898-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4899-The-Guardian-Uses-GeoRSS.html Standards http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4899-The-Guardian-Uses-GeoRSS.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4899 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4899 (Adena Schutzberg) Many pages have maps of reporter locations and<br /> <blockquote>You can also see all the posts aggregated together on a larger map. Our intrepid reporters simply add latitude and logitude data when they file the story and we do the rest.<br /> <br /> Here's the technical details. We are using the GeoRSS Simple location encoding standard. This means that within our RSS feed for an item with geolocation data you will find an element like this:<br /> <br /> <georss:point>51.5225 -0.1085</georss:point><br /> <br /> which contains latitude and longitude data, separated by a space, to describe a single point on Earth.<br /> </blockquote><br /> - <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/help/insideguardian/2008/oct/09/1">Guardian Blog</a> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4899-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4900-Philippines-GIS-Market-to-Grow-to-1B.html ESRIGeospatial Business http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4900-Philippines-GIS-Market-to-Grow-to-1B.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4900 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4900 (Adena Schutzberg) When? "several years from now" according to coverage of an ESRI User Conference in Manilla. ESRI's Chief Scientist David Maguire was on hand to tell explain that "The use of geographic information systems (GIS) ushers innovation on how organizations, enterprises and the government do business with increased productivity and efficiency."<br /> <br /> Update: There's <a href="http://www.inquirer.net/vdo/player.php?vid=1726">video</a> of an interview with Maguire.<br /> <br /> - <a href="http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20081009-165514/RP-next-hotbed-for-GIS-deployment">The Inquirer</a> Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4900-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4893-Quote-of-the-Day-Google-Earth...coolest-or-creepiest-thing-ever.html Google http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4893-Quote-of-the-Day-Google-Earth...coolest-or-creepiest-thing-ever.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4893 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4893 joe.francica@directionsmag.com (Joe Francica) <br /> Syndicated sports radio commentator, <a href="http://www.jimrome.com/home.html">Jim Rome</a>, known for his &quot;clones&quot; in the &quot;jungle&quot; had this to say about Google on today's program: &quot;Google, what a great company...I love Google Maps...&quot; but then added this caveat...&quot;Google Earth...is either the coolest or creepiest thing ever.&quot; Enough said. I guess from Rome's perspective it depends on whose house you are looking down on. Thu, 9 Oct 2008 13:43:48 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4893-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4890-ESRI-Launches-ArcGIS-Server-Gallery.html ESRI http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4890-ESRI-Launches-ArcGIS-Server-Gallery.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4890 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4890 (Adena Schutzberg) It's actually called the <a href="http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisserver/live_user_sites.html">ArcGIS Server Live User Sites</a>, but it's basically a gallery of site built using that technology. A quick trip through the first few revealed:<br /> <br /> - Most look and perform well on Safari on a Mac<br /> - Some are quite slow, while others are speedy<br /> - They all look unique and customized for purpose (hooray!)<br /> - They all look different and have a variety of widgets so you need to study each one to determine, for example, how to zoom in (boo)<br /> - At lease one used Flex<br /> <br /> One suggestion for ESRI: How about blurb for each as to why they chose ArcGIS Server. What exactly was it they needed to do that it enabled? Said another way, some of these sites' functions existed in the past without ArcGIS Server. What was the impetus to move to Server vs a simpler Web Mapping solution?<br /> <br /> via Twitter Thu, 9 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4890-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4891-Connecting-the-Dots-Geographic-Tracking-of-Crime-in-Unusual-Ways.html Location Intelligence http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4891-Connecting-the-Dots-Geographic-Tracking-of-Crime-in-Unusual-Ways.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4891 0 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4891 joe.francica@directionsmag.com (Joe Francica) <br /> I had the opportunity to attend M<a href="http://www.metacarta.com/geo-overview.htm">etaCarta’s Public Sector User Group</a> meeting today. Directions has covered MetaCarta’s technology for several years and in order to adequately extract at least one nugget of new information about the company’s technology, an example is the best way to illustrate it.<br /><br />One of the key applications realized by public safety organizations is the ability to link bits of news, police reports in this example, to geographic trends and deduce anticipated results. The N<a href="http://www.fusionsystem.us/">orth Texas Fusion Centers </a>(NTFC) distills this kind of information for emergency management and natural disasters in addition to crime analysis. And so, at various times, it becomes necessary to temporarily close the border with Mexico for 24 hours, according to Bob Warren of MetaCarta. Crime and incident reports are logged during and after the closure. When the border is opened again, authorities find there is a drop in crime, followed by an increase in crime. These text-based reports are assimilated using MetaCarta's Georeferencing engine whereby the location of each report is extracted and displayed on a map. The result is the recognition of a ripple effect of crime across the state. Crime is noted to occur along the interstate corridors leading to Dallas from the border that reach the city within about three days. The analysis: Cross border weapons movement seems to converge on Dallas and might not have been detected without visualizing this movement of crime along these geographic corridors. So, by geotagging reports, police are able to see how crime travels.<br /><br />Also, just last week we discussed how MetaCarta’s technology will be <a href="http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4841-MetaCarta-Unchained-and-Unbundled.html">unbundled and licensed differently </a>than in the past with the objective of creating a larger audience for their products. Likewise, we held a <a href="http://www.directionsmag.com/sponsors/webinar.php?webid=5&from=webinar">webinar</a> in the summer that more fully examines their technology.<br /><br />[Disclosure: MetaCarta paid for travel and expenses to attend their meeting.]<br /> Thu, 9 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4891-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4892-Structured-vs.-Unstructured-Data-Lets-be-clear-on-definitions.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4892-Structured-vs.-Unstructured-Data-Lets-be-clear-on-definitions.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4892 1 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4892 joe.francica@directionsmag.com (Joe Francica) <p>We are going to be bantering around the words &quot;structured&quot; and &quot;unstructured&quot; data more frequently than in the past and while at the MetaCarta Public User's Group Meeting today I wondered how many readers are familiar with the terms. Obviously, many are who are regular readers of APB and our more technical articles at Directions Magazine. But let's be really clear and basic about the definitions:</p><br /><a href="http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4892-guid.html#extended">Continue reading "Structured vs. Unstructured Data - Let's be clear on definitions"</a> Thu, 9 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4892-guid.html http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4889-IDC-Pegs-SIM-Market-Growth-at-14.2.html Geospatial Business http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4889-IDC-Pegs-SIM-Market-Growth-at-14.2.html#comments http://apb.directionsmag.com/wfwcomment.php?cid=4889 1 http://apb.directionsmag.com/rss.php?version=2.0&type=comments&cid=4889 joe.francica@directionsmag.com (Joe Francica) <br /> David Sonnen, an analyst with <a href="http://www.idc.com/">IDC</a>, said that the size of the spatial information market (SIM) is about $2.8 billion and that he pegs the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) at 14.2%. Sonnen said that, &quot;We don't see a lot of downside unless the economy tanks completely.&quot; Sonnen made his remarks today at the MetaCarta Public User's Group Meeting in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Wed, 8 Oct 2008 10:23:43 -0500 http://apb.directionsmag.com/archives/4889-guid.html