Paris, 24 September 2007


EFITA newsletter / 329 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment


The Women’s Worlds Summit Foundation is publishing the laureates of the 2007 Prize for Women's Creativity in Rural Life
See: http://www.woman.ch/women/1-introduction.php
One of the laureates is the German internet community 'Bäuerinnentreff' http://www.baeuerinnentreff.de, which is an independent, 'user-made' project without any public funding.
The complete list of laureates and links to the project descriptions is here: http://www.woman.ch/women/1-laureates.php


New in Mapstars
Google Arealmeter lets you estimate the size of a lot, block, or other bounded area of land. Using the Google Maps API, Google Arealmeter lets you mark some coordinates on a map with the familiar Google Maps interface. So, you can alternate between map, satellite and hybrid view, just like on the Google website itself.
When you click on the map, the Google Arealmeter display a marker. Set three markers, and the Google Arealmeter calculates the area between the three coordinates. As you set additional markers, the Google Planimeter recalculates the area each time. This needs a little exercise.
Of course, you’re not going to get the same degree of accuracy as when you hire a surveyor. But, for a quick and dirty estimate, this is the place to go. The real fun begins when in satellite or hybrid view. You can estimate the square footage of people’s houses, buildings, farmland, forest, village or city. Works better where Google has provided high high resolution maps.
See: http://www.mapstars.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=399
Note: be careful to copy the exact link above.
Contact: Rene HUSKEN
E-mail: r.husken(a)geo-t.nl


Geospatial Industry Veterans Launch International Integrated Media Company: New publication dedicates itself to the use of spatial tools for sustainable development
Sept. 10, 2007 (Berlin, Germany and Denver, Colo.) The launch of Vector1 Media by The launch of Vector1 Media by two prominent geospatial journalists promises to extend the use of spatial tools and advance their use for sustainable development.

Jeff Thurston of Berlin, Germany was formerly editor of GeoInformatics and GeoConnexion magazines, both with distribution primarily in Europe.
Matt Ball was formerly editor of GeoWorld magazine with primary distribution in North America. The two bring a broad experience with geospatial tools, applications and practitioners to an emerging market for the thoughtful and holistic application of these tools toward the development of livable and sustainable communities.

The pair will deliver a regular online 'V1 Magazine', a weekly 'V1 Newsletter' and daily 'V1 Blog' posts.
See: http://www.vector1media.com/.

The goal of Vector1 Media is to realize the principle of sustainable living through successful and sustainable economic development. Vector1 Media will push for the adoption of integrated spatially-based systems and knowledge where advances can be achieved with high-impact returns.

"As the editors of technology-centric and generalist geospatial magazines, Jeff and I experienced some frustrations regarding the relatively slow progress of professional tools in the areas of analysis, intelligent modeling and visualization," said Matt Ball.
"We both feel that the opportunities for great technological advancements and efficiencies reside in the infrastructure-centric disciplines that still struggle with the CAD/GIS divide. The application of high-quality geospatial tools and data can greatly improve living conditions."

Vector1 Media will explore the issues of infrastructure planners, land use managers, government decision makers, visualization specialists, spatial analysis professionals, design engineers, GIS analysts, surveyors and others who struggle to make sustainable plans for
infrastructure development.

"Vector1 Media is about connecting the dots between technologies and people,"  stated Jeff Thurston. "It's about understanding and planning how people will live in a sustainable way and the infrastructure needed to do so. Vector1 Media is about providing readers with news, viewpoints and examples about how other people and organizations are coping with issues, considering different spatial approaches, embedding spatial design into decision making processes and developing positive solutions."
See: http://www.vector1media.com
Contact: Matt BALL
E-mail: mattball(a)vector1media.com


You left out the line about the Englishman: The train in the tunnel (EFITA Newsletter 327)
There are four people travelling in the same carriage on a train: an Irishman, an English man, an old lady and a very beautiful young girl.
Shortly after the train enters a very dark tunnel an extremely loud slapping sound is heard. When the train emerges from the tunnel the Englishman is seen tenderly rubbing his face, which is blotched and starting to swell.
The old lady thinks: I bet he tried to to touch the young girl and got slapped.
The young girl thinks: I bet he tried touching me and got the old lady instead.
The Englishman thinks: I bet the Irish bastard tried to touch the young girl, and when she reacted with slapping him, she by inadvertence hit me.
The Irishman thinks: I can't wait to get to another tunnel so that I can slap that English bastard again!
Contact: Hubert PARTL
E-mail: hubert.partl(a)boku.ac.at


Millions of dollars
A businessman who needed millions of dollars to clinch an important deal went to church to pray for the money. By chance he knelt next to a man who was praying for $100 to pay an urgent debt.
The businessman took out his wallet and pressed $100 into the other man's hand. Overjoyed, the man got up and left the church.
The businessman then closed his eyes and prayed, "And now, Lord, that I have your undivided attention...."


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