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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