GeoCommons Maker! discover geospatial data and make your own maps

I’ve been messing around a bit with GeoCommons Maker! – coming to the public this week – sorry but you’ll need to wait to try it for yourself – thanks Sean! You may already be familiar with the cool, GeoCommons Finder! web service (http://finder.geocommons.com/) enabling users to discover a wealth of geospatial data being shared with the community. Well now, this week the developers will be rolling out even more functionality to the GeoCommons portfolio in a service called Maker! Using GeoCommons Maker!, users can create a user account, search and discover data, save their maps, and share them. Obviously, the key component of Maker! is the “create” component. Once logged in, creating your own map is a snap. Search the vast data holdings and preview data, then create a custom my by adding your own clever title, add data, them your data in a number of ways, select a base map of choice from a number of open data providers. You can read more about Maker! in this piece that I just cranked out… I’m sure you’ll enjoy Maker! once it’s live…
For more on Maker! See also http://www.geocommons.com/

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IT Support/Help Desk Technician, Ohio

Woolpert, Inc., is looking for motivated IT Support/Help Desk personnel to place onsite at Vandenberg AFB, CA. Successful candidate will assist in tasks associated with compliance with 30th Space Communications Squadron, AFSPC, and HQAF computer resources NOTAMs, TCNOs, and other requirements and guidelines. Provide written/email status updates to government employees. Research and develop technical reports as needed by the government for computer hardware/software recommendations, procurement needs, and IT solutions. See details

GIS Systems Analyst, Kitsap County

This position provides technical leadership for the County enterprise GIS. An employee in this classification plans, designs, implements and enhances new and existing GIS web services and desktop applications using accepted systems development methodology. The incumbent identifies requirements and develops and executes strategies for the integration of in-house and purchased systems. See more

Geographers/Cartographers, Intergraph Corp

Openings available in image interpretation and analysis, map compilation from stereo imagery, cartographic map finishing and terrain modeling to support military mapping projects. Positions are available with varying degrees of experience, and all require a B.S. degree in Geography or a related field, or equivalent experience. See details

Paul Newman, Newman’s Own and his generosity to The GIS Institute and Service at Sea

Like drew Stephens, Director,The GIS Institute, Service at Sea I was also saddened this past week-end to hear about the passing of Paul Newman. What I wasn’t aware of was how Newman reached so many people through his generosity, including the GIS Community. In a touching letter, Stephens described how in 2006, Newman’s funding for The GIS Institute provided the seed capital to run our first proof-of-concept trip “Service for Africa”, a six week project that delivered GIS training for over 100 people from 20 different conservation organizations in five African countries. This from Stephen’s letter:

So how do the donations and legacy of Paul Newman affect the GIS community? In 2006, his funding for The GIS Institute provided the seed capital to run our first proof-of-concept trip “Service for Africa”, a six week project that delivered GIS training for over 100 people from 20 different conservation organizations in five African countries. Alumnus of those courses have gone on to create a successful GIS Conservation community in Kenya, others have gone on to GIS related jobs in parks in Southern Africa, and still others are using GIS to care for the Gorillas in Uganda, the Cheetah of Botswana, and the creatures and mangroves of the Niger Delta.

Without the support of Newman’s Own, the University students in Panama, and the community leaders working for healthy forests and Tepehaun Indian land rights in Mexico, would not be using GIS in their efforts to create a just and ecologically rich world. In the United States, funds went toward supporting Sealife Conservation, who work to eliminate marine debris from the oceans and estuaries of California, The Alaska Marine Conservation Council, who advocate for native fishing and hunting rights, and The Prince William Sound Science Center, supporting science and education efforts in that unique setting. These organizations all received GIS software grants from ESRI, and GIS training services from The GIS Institute, supported by Newman’s Own donations.

Image Credit: Newsmansown.com

Thanks for sharing the letter Drew… well done! And thanks to Newman’s Own donations into this amazing industry. See http://www.serviceatsea.org/

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Team Garmin Edition of Edge 705 GPS-Enabled Cycling Computer

Now here’s a nifty device for you cyclists… a Team Garmin model! Some specs and details: The Edge 705 represents several breakthroughs in cycling technology, including power compatibility, wireless unit-to-unit connectivity and the ability to monitor GPS position, heart rate, speed, cadence, altitude and gradient on the same display. The orange and blue Team Garmin edition of the Edge 705, which was first seen on Team Garmin’s handlebars at the 2008 Tour de France, comes bundled with a heart-rate monitor, speed and cadence sensor and City Navigator mapping, which provides turn-by-turn directions and millions of preloaded points of interest. And Team Garmin athletes and recreational cyclists alike can share data – including official race courses, saved rides, waypoints and workouts –through ANT+™ wireless technology. NICE! See more

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Geotagging with Microsoft Pro Photo Tools

Microsoft Pro Photo Tools provides a set of tools for photographers to perform various tasks with their images—including RAW captures. The current version enables you to quickly geotag your photos, view and edit metadata, and more.

See more here

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The Nokia E71 smartphone, great for personal use, fantastic for the business user!

I’ve had a way cool Nokia E71 smartphone at my displosal for a couple of weeks. This bad-boy runs on Symbian S60 3, sports a large screen, QWERTY keypad, bluetooth, GPS, loads of memory, incredible apps, camera, video, and much more. The slideshow below shows a few images of the device which is an ideal personal and business companion… Blackberry has nothing on this one!

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

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Update to Microsoft Virtual Earth, VE Web Services and Maps for Mobile Devices

Good news from the VE Blog about release 6.2… it’s here along with version 1.0 of the Virtual Earth Web Services. The following features come in this release:
- Maps for Mobile Devices… (WOOHOO) Develop mobile applications with rich imagery optimized specifically for mobile devices, including the iPhone. The new mobile-optimized features are supported in the new Virtual Earth Web Services.
- Bird’s Eye Views and Bird’s Eye Hybrid. Exclusive to Microsoft, these unique views of real-world locations provide insight into “what it’s like there.” Bird’s eye hybrid adds street names to the bird’s eye maps to provide end users better visual context and orientation.
- Aerial Imagery. Leverage the impact of high-resolution aerial images from leading imagery providers.
- 3D Imagery. Create more realistic 3D views of buildings and landscapes, featuring denser city models.
- Geocoding and Reverse Geocoding. Get the most accurate locations around the world through integration of multiple geocoders and datasets with MapView, Reverse IP, and Culture to provide the most relevant and accurate results. And find the closest street address based only on latitude and longitude coordinates from a GPS or other geospatial device.
- International Geocoding. Your customers can now find international addresses with reverse geocoding, available anywhere Virtual Earth has routing.
- Localized Directions. Get localized driving or walking directions in 15 languages.
- Localized Maps.
- Extended International Parsing Capabilities.
- Expanded Number of Rooftop Views.
- Near-Matching Capabilities. using alternate and similar spellings, resulting in a more relevant search experience.
- Imagery Metadata.
- New Virtual Earth Web Services.
- One-Click Directions.
- Shapes and Shape Layers.
- Pushpin Clustering.
- Landmark-Based Routing.
- Driving Directions with Traffic-Based Routing.
- Walking Directions.
- Multipoint Routing.
- Traffic Reports.
- GeoRSS Feeds.
- Weather Integration.

See complete details here

Bookmark this Webcast about the release

see Also http://www.microsoft.com/virtualearth/

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Nokia Data Gathering for field collection

Nokia rolls out another new service designed to make the lives of field data collection workers much easier – Nokia Data Gathering. With an emphasize on health care workers in developing countries, the data gathering service shows huge potential – particularly when you consider the massive level of mobile usage in these parts of the World.

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