Mapperz - The Map & GIS News finding blog. With so many Mapping sites online. This blog tries to provide you with the best maps and services that are currently available online.
@mapperz
Top picks of issues NIM063852 - The service pack information does not appear in the help about box
NIM064990 - The first 2 links in the Help; About on Windows 7 only, do not work. The 3rd one does.
NIM058951 - ArcMap and ArcCatalog crash when trying to open a particular DGN V8 file.
NIM061452 - Spatial reference along with the units is not read correctly for TIFF images
NIM059249 - ArcMap crashes in an edit session when clicking the layer name in the Attributes window
NIM064252 - Add Rule To Topology tool and Remove Rule From Topology tool needs entries for new rules added at ArcGIS 10
NIM064497 - For maps that contain view extents not present in the spatial ref's extent, ArcMap hangs or crashes when exporting to PDF with the Export Map Georeference Information checkbox turned on.
NIM064458 - Cartographic line symbology with a negative offset causes ArcMap and ArcCatalog to crash when at a large scale.
The data held by the City of Paris are fully exploited by the municipal services as part of their missions, but are also an intangible heritage that can be developed for the whole community:
researchers can find material to feed their work and experiences,
developers can create innovative services using these data,
citizens and journalists to find raw information,
companies can provide added value to these data, and thus create jobs and wealth for the community.
The movement "Open Data" (open data) is to get any type of structure, including local authorities around the world, the provision of all, free and free of electronic data. More Data to come in the weeks.
The File Geodatabase API provides a non-ArcObjects based means by which advanced developers can work with File Geodatabases. A common user scenario is to open File Geodatabase tables in non-ESRI applications to view or modify data. This API provides access to the low-level File Geodatabase file I/O modules.
The C++ API allows developers to:
• Create new geodatabases
• Read the schema of the geodatabase
• Create schema for objects within the simple feature model
• Read and write data in the geodatabase
• Perform attribute and (limited) spatial queries on datasets
• Navigate relationship classes and attachments
This API is targeted for advanced developers who require access to the File Geodatabase without an ArcObjects license for purposes of interoperability.
This API does not replace ArcObjects as the recommended approach to interacting with the geodatabase.
Image from Google Maps Mania Google Earth Engine uses Google Maps and Google Earth to present satellite imagery and current and historical data to enable global-scale monitoring and measurement of changes in the earth’s environment.
Using Earth Engine you can browse though the data catalog and select to view satellite imagery from MODIS and Landsat 5. If you then select 'workspace' you can view the satellite imagery overlaid on Google Maps.
Each satellite imagery data set comes with a timeline slide control, so you can select the date of the imagery you wish to view. The Map Gallery section allows you to browse through maps created by Google's launch partners and the Earth Engine team.
Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, the ocean and even galaxies in outer space. Explore rich geographical content, save your toured places and share with others. Download the latest version free of charge.
View OpenStreetMap in 3D (2d is default) via basemaps
Import your .shp, .kml, .gpx, .txt, .csv or even File Geodatabases!
"KML improved; KML handling has been improved in both 2D and 3D mode, and regionated KML is now supported in 2D mode. KML interoperability has also been enhanced; notes can be shared (exported) as KML and KML can be shared (exported) as layer packages or converted to notes. The KML file association can be set to ArcGIS Explorer.
Symbols (more); ArcGIS Explorer symbols have been updated to improve appearance in 2D and 3D modes. Symbol management tools have been enhanced with improved support for custom (user) symbols."
Buffering a point by 100km is possible via Analysis
Create driving directions, add slide (like screen grabs) to presentation - playback is full screen and glides to various screen grabs.
ArcGIS Explorer features new capabilities that enhance interoperability with the ArcGIS system and KML. These features include:
ArcGIS Online integration
Support for ArcGIS Explorer Online maps, including presentations and notes
The Award winning FREE Sports Tracker Application gets an update along with revamped web service for viewing and sharing your routes.
"The newly launched online service allows users to store, visualize and analyze their workouts with enhanced tools, as well as share their media enhanced workout experiences with other Sports Tracker users - and the whole world. The online service also allows existing Nokia Sports Tracker Beta users to import their workout history to the new service.
The Sports Tracker mobile application has also been updated to support uploading of tracked data to the new service and direct sharing to Facebook. The update also extends the list of compatible devices to cover more than 50 device models."
Testing the New Sports Tracker: Mapperz has tested this and the services along with the phone application works seamlessly together.
With the FREE Sports Tracker application mobile phone becomes a full-featured GPS sports computer, keeping track of everything from calories burned while running to your average cycling speed over altitude. You get maps, time and distance calculators, step count, and even heart rate when you use a compatible Polar HR belt. You can chart your progress, find your strengths and weaknesses, and share with others.
The new mobile application allows users to:
Record activities with all the data needed to analyze the performance, including distance, speed, duration, route, step count and more.
Check their location on the map while running, cycling, walking or with any other outdoor activity, using Open Street Map as a map based (can be cached for offline use)
Upload their activity data from their phone to the Sports Tracker service
Share their activities and automatically geo-tagged photos with other users and friends on Facebook, directly from their phone
Optional with Heart Monitor - Record heart rate data by connecting the Polar WearLink®+ transmitter with Bluetooth® heart rate belt by Polar (€70 or $90USD)
Automatically compare speed, distance and duration of recorded activities
With this Launch Ovi (Nokia) are having a competition:
Create your own shape and enter for a prize. Image: Ovi Blog
"What we’re asking you to do is simply this: make a funny or interesting shape with your Sports Tracker workout, share it publicly in the service and send a link of the shared workout to us." For more information on this competition and what can be won go here: http://blog.ovi.com/2010/08/12/sports-tracker-ovi-competition-launches-now
Finally ArcGIS 10 has put the 'E' back in Environmental Systems Research Institute
updated: 21:38 BST 28th June 2010.
Read the Requirements before thinking of downloading
"ESRI (UK) is pleased to announce that ArcGIS® 10 will be available shortly. ArcGIS 10 will revolutionise how organisations use geographical data and delivers a host of new possibilities."
"The ArcGIS 10 software will be available as a download from week commencing 28 June or on DVD at a later date." [But when?]
Users with a maintenance plan can download the software (3.2GB +8.0GB for ArcGIS 10 Data)
Biking Directions on Google Maps - New!(in beta) Green 'highlighted' lines are specific for Cyclists using Google Bicycle directions
Bike lanes: For more than 150 cities in the US, we know which streets have dedicated bicycle lanes. These are also prioritized when coming up with a routing suggestion. On the bicycling layer, you’ll see these roads indicated in bright green.
Recommended routes: For many cities we also provide information on streets that have been designated as good for cyclists, so we them into account in our algorithm. These roads are indicated with dashed green lines on our bicycling layer.
Uphill slopes: l don't know anyone who enjoys biking up a hill, especially when you're trying to get somewhere you need to be. Going uphill is worse than simply being much slower; it's also exhausting and can take a toll on the rest of your ride. Our biking directions are based on a physical model of the amount of power your body has to exert given the slope of the road you’re biking on. Assuming typical values for mass and for wind resistance, we compute the effort you’ll require and the speed you’ll achieve while going uphill. We take this speed into account when determining the time estimate for your journey, and we also try hard to avoid routes that will require an unreasonable degree of exertion. Sometimes the model will determine that it's far more efficient to make you ride several extra blocks than to have to deal with a massive hill. My teammates in San Francisco were relieved to see that this does indeed work!
Downhill slopes: Many cyclists will tell you that going downhill is annoying for a different reason: you may have to ride your brakes all the way down. All else equal, we try to avoid routes that require a lot of braking. Of course, in some cities, including my hometown of Seattle, this isn’t always possible! And if you feel like you need a big workout and want to climb some hills, or if you just love that wind-in-your-hair feeling of a long downhill (you better be wearing a helmet and staying safe!), you can always turn on the terrain layer to check out the hilliness of an area for yourself.
Busy roads: Cyclists often tend to prefer to stay off of fast roads, and not even cross them unless it's necessary. This is roughly the inverse of driving directions, where you want to stay on arterials and freeways, so we had to rework a lot of those fundamental calculations when coming up with our biking directions algorithm.
Busy intersections: We try to avoid making you cross busy streets with a lot of car traffic and long wait times.
Bing Maps are used with Police boundaries that are thematically styled with crime rates. centring the map with the 'gun' sight target pulls up information from the authority. Up to 5 authoritiies can be compared at once.
Ovi Maps News Nokia have released/updated some Ovi Apps Products
Of Mapping interest there are:
Developers that register for the programme will have access to the following:
Ovi Maps Player API – Bringing maps to mobile and web applications effortlessly. The API is powered by NAVTEQ and features more than 180 country maps, location-based search, and detailed place information. Other features include vector-based maps that give a range of views, including: map, terrain and 3D modes for dynamic map mash-ups. The Ovi Maps Player API for the web was introduced earlier this year.
Ovi Navigation Player API - Allowing developers to bring Nokia’s industry-leading walk and drive navigation features to their applications, including: pedestrian navigation, turn-by-turn car navigation, and route planning. Developers can deliver applications that get consumers exactly where they want to go.
Ovi Maps Player Example
"Introducing Maps Player - the brand-new, easy-to-use API for Ovi Maps. Maps Player makes it simple to integrate rich Ovi Maps functionality into your website, turning it into a personalised, contextual and compelling experience. "
here is one example
Unlike other Mapping API's available - [Nokia] Ovi Maps Player API gives developers access to their Point's of Interest (currently 3 million) Database.
Note: you cannot copy & paste the source code unless you have signed up to Ovi Maps Player API (beta) and have recieved 2 api keys from Nokia for specific domains
** For 3D view an Ovi Map Plugin is required and you will require a restart of you web browser.
Ovi Navigation API Ovi Maps Navigation Player API gives you access to the industry-leading Ovi Maps Walk and Drive navigation service, powered by NAVTEQ [Nokia Owned]. With just a few lines of JavaScript, you can add turn-by-turn pedestrian or car navigation to your Ovi apps. You can also add routing to your websites. Ovi Navigation API - Drive, Walk & Cycle 'turn-by-turn' directions
Advanced vector maps allow routes matched to the needs of drivers and pedestrians – even when your users are offline.
Developers will be able to use simple, high-level interfaces to leverage turn-by-turn Walk and Drive navigation, with voice guidance in over 20 languages
Users are tired of seeing car routes recycled as "pedestrian". Give them a real Walk experience, with custom map display and enhanced DiscoverCities Navteq data.
"Mobile GIS in your pocket - all you need on one USB Stick - *Portable GIS v2" *mapperz recommends
If you want a fully featured GIS suite that works portably from a USB stick in Windows, that can be rapidly deployed and used anywhere in the world, and comes with full setup and support, then this is for you.
Key Advantages:
Work remotely in the field, and synchronise your data when you return to the office.
Rapidly deploy pre-configured GIS data and software packages.
Showcase your work at conferences, seminars and presentations.
No licensing issues, no matter how many copies you deploy.
The new Portbable GIS v2 Control Panel
Easy installing - and your be up and running in minutes.
The following utilities are also included: • SqlSync (cross-platform database synchronisation) • GeoMetadataExtractor (extracts metadata from georeferenced images) • Shp2Text (converts shapefiles into csv, with coordinate columns) • Ogr2Gui (GUI for OGR toolkit) • ShapeChecker (Checks and fixes corrupt shape files)
Control Panel give users fast access to Setting Up, Desktop and Web Modules
Under the \ArcGIS\Bin folder, right click the GdbTopo.dll file
Select Properties
On the Version tab, the File version for GdbTopo.dll should read: 9.3.1.1851
(note the issue with subscribers to Virtual Earth in ArcMap has yet to be resolved, so a workaround is mentioned in the comments)
ArcGIS 9.3 Service Pack 1 Released
ESRI have released the first service pack for ArcGIS products. The list of improvements is huge due to the 'error reporting' function built into 9.3 software.
NIM009383 - With ArcGIS 9.2 SP2 and higher, certain JPEG images cannot be loaded.
NIM006247 - Saving shape file edits more than eight times in ArcMap leads to slower and slower performance.
NIM033727 - Converting symbology to representation with the 'Features in current extent' option chosen does not complete properly.
NIM035106 - Application failure when using the SHAPE" field in the Select By Attributes command."
NIM036029 - Millimeter values are interpreted as points for size and width property overrides.
NIM036446 - Representation rules with identical internal identifiers can lead to data corruption.
NIM036971 - Exporting attributes to PDF results in incorrect values for fields using a number format. NIM037410 - Exporting attributes to PDF is not preserving alias names for fields. NIM037888 - Exporting attributes to PDF drops the value of a field called NAME when layer is using unique value renderer.
NIM037099 - When a line feature class is labeled using Maplex with the centered straight placement option and a label expression whose font tags differ from the symbol size, the labels are drawn offset from the line.
NIM037125 - Using buffer (in the editor or the Geoprocessing tool) fails on some very large input features.
NIM037580 - Crash due to lack of memory while building a spatial index for a complex polygon
NIM037814 - The Label Placement Optimizer algorithm does not work correctly when run inside a Composte algorithm
NIM037818 - Append does not work with feature set as target.
update in blue (see below) BBC Sport's Olympic Map Released
BBC Sport has a nice custom maps using Microsoft Virtual Earth. Image Source:Firefox screenshot of BBC Sport's Olympic Map
BBC Sport's Olympic map for the 2008 Beijing Games.
How to use the map
Yellow sport icons indicate venues Click to find out more about a venue
Blue icons indicate landmarks Click to find out more about places in Beijing
Red icons indicate blog posts Click to read an Olympics blog post
Green icons are Twitter posts Click for an update from a BBC journalist
Image Source:BBC Sport
There are more than 30 venues in Beijing. Sailing in Qingdao on China's north-east coast. Equestrian sports in Hong Kong, to the south.
Clicking different icons allows to find more information about venues.
• Find out more about the 37 Chinese Olympic venues
• Read articles from journalists on BBC Sport's Olympics blog
• Read Twitter updates from BBC Sport's journalists in China
The BBC would like feedback... We would like to hear your feedback on our Olympic map - you can leave your comments on BBC Sport's Olympics blog.
This Map was created using the Virtual Earth API and Custom Maps added using MapCruncher. If you are interested in the methodology of how this has been created here is a good starting point. http://msdnrss.thecoderblogs.com/2008/07/16/bbc-sports-olympic-map/ "The inclement weather and a thick cloud layer over Beijing for the last few MONTHS, it has been incredibly difficult to get good satellite imagery. This makes the MapCruncher overlays a huge benefit to the application. The imagery we’re serving up was taken just a few months ago - obviously tons of progress has been made to the get the stadiums ready for August, but what a great addition to compliment the Virtual Earth platform"
Mapperz (via the James Fee 'Spatially Adjusted' Blog Comments ArcGIS 9.3 Web-based Help Now Available ESRI finally have updated their Support pages with 9.3 web-based Help
