EFITA Newsletter 31 May 2010

Paris, 31 May 2010

EFITA newsletter / 463 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment

News from a Swedish friend
Hello Guy, how are you doing?
Nice to get your mailing list, probably the best result of the AgriMMedia EU project.
I am now retired from the farm work and I do some freelancing then and when, that includes also Web TV production.
See: http://www.bondeliv.se (filmer) (Swedish for "Farmlife)
Hope all is well with you and your family and to see you sometime. Best wishes,
Contact: Lars HELGSTRAND
E-mail: lars(a)lundbygard.se

My answer (GW): Output of the AgriMMedia project 1997-2000...
- the efita newsletter (4 400 subscribers)
- the "Du cote du web" newsletter (> 28 000 subscribers)
- 60 AgriMMedia seminars
See: http://www.acta-informatique.fr?d=5253

USAID Funding Opportunity Announcement
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. organizations and institutions, in the form of partnerships or teams (primes and subs) that include Senegalese organizations for a program entitled "Capacity Building for Agricultural Education and Research Project" in Senegal. USAID anticipates awarding a five year performance-based Cooperative Agreement, U.S. $28 million, subject to the availability of funds, resulting from this RFA process. The authority for the RFA is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended.
This request for applications (RFA) is being managed directly by USAID.
See: http://click.bsftransmit1.com/ClickThru.aspx?
pubids=6760%7c059%7c65604&digest=z5CCarFLLUFGC6iwIHjaWQ

Transparency in the Food Chain: Situation, Expectations, Barriers, and Research Needs (EU project)
From a meeting held in Brussels, May 6, 2010, together with European Platform 'Transparency in Food'
See: http://www.acta-informatique.fr?d=8151

How to develop Google Earth and Google Maps using Excel-files.
On the occasion of my previous mailing about Google Maps and Google Earth using Excel I received several questions about the exact method.
By this I will do that again once again and then as accurately as possible. The method shows that it is quite possible to display on Google Map/Earth large files. For questions you cal always contact me on: r.husken(a)geo-t.nl

First you must have an EXCEL file with 4 columns:
1. Name
2. Longitude
3. Latitude
4. Description
Name and save your Excel file.
For the hotels of France I use this EXCEL file with 9000 hotels. You can take a part, but always keep the first row with Name, Latitude, Longitude and Description. The result is:
http://www.2travel2.nl/English/all-booking-hotels-on-google-map.html

For geocoding (latitude/longitude) you can go to:
http://www.2travel2.nl/Kaarten/geocoding-zoek-plaats-op-een-kaart.html
http://www.2travel2.nl/Kaarten/geocoding-met-plaatsnaam.html (enter a name, zipcode)

How to proceed:
Open http://www.gpsvisualizer.com. You have the choice:
1. Make a Google Map: http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=google
2. Make a Google Earth: http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=googleearth
3. Make a GPX file: http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert_input?convert_format=gpx

I propose to confine this demo to the development of a kml or KMZ file for Google Earth/Map, so go to:
2. Make a Google Earth: http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=googleearth

How to upload your Excel file? You have two options:
1. Upload your GPS data files here: you must select you file on your computer.
or
2. Or paste your data here: copy your data in Excel and paste here. Note: don't forget: Name, latitude, longitude and description!!
3. General map parameters: do you prefer a KML file (unzipped) or a KMZ file (zipped). I suggest to take the KMZ file (is smaller).
4. Waypoint options: Select a Default icon - for example the flag
5. Now you can create the kml file - click on create KML file
6. The result looks like: 12232548934jee.kmz. Save this file to your computer and rename in another filename.

In your Windows Explorer you can right click on your kmz file and "open as": select Google Earth. (Google Earth must be installed).

How to make the normal Google Map. See the demo on:
http://www.2travel2.nl/maps/test/kmz-demo-efita.html (With right mopuse click you can see the source code.)

The script for this page look like this (between the lines)(you must always replace the key with your own key and give the location of your kmz-file):
---------------------------------------------------
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"/>
<title>Google Maps - hotels -in France - demo for Efita Newsletter</title>
<script src="http://maps.google.com/maps?file=api&v=2&sensor=false&key=ABQIAAAAaaOoFGMhLS5vZLoMjU5M0hQBGtmNlmg7gXyX7JJfMurUFJWz5xRSXUMhUoJdG_7WPwtXtqetRjvKeA" type="text/javascript"></script>
</head>
<body onunload="GUnload()">

<div id="map" style="width: 100%; height: 600px"></div>
<a href="Back target="_blank" title="Ce lien vers un site externe s'ouvrira dans une nouvelle fenêtre ">http://www.2travel2.nl/English/all-booking-hotels-on-google-map.html">Back to 2travel2 - hotels in France</a>
   <form action="#">
    <input type="button" value="hide" onclick="map.removeOverlay(kml)" />
    <input type="button" value="show" onclick="map.addOverlay(kml)" />
   </form>

<noscript><b>JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use Google Maps.</b>
   However, it seems JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your browser.
   To view Google Maps, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options, and then
   try again.
</noscript>
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[

if (GBrowserIsCompatible()) {

   var map = new GMap2(document.getElementById("map"));
   map.addControl(new GLargeMapControl());
   map.addControl(new GMapTypeControl());
   map.setCenter(new GLatLng(48.763325,2.579041), 7);

   // ==== Create a KML Overlay ====

   var kml = new GGeoXml("http://www.2travel2.nl/maps/kml/europa/frankrijk/hotels-in-frankrijk.kmz");
   map.addOverlay(kml);

}

// display a warning if the browser was not compatible
else {
   alert("Sorry, the Google Maps API is not compatible with this browser");
}

//]]>
</script>
</body>

</html>
-----------------------------------------------

Contact: René HUSKEN
E-mail: r.husken(a)geo-t.nl

In Rome
This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. So remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing and cares less tries to make your life miserable.

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded:

"Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"

"We're taking Easy jet," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"

"Easy jet?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome??

"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."

"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump."

"We're going to go to see the Vatican and maybe get to see the Pope."

"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."

A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.

"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Easyjet's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot.

And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodelling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city. They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"

"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."

"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me.

Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."

"Oh, really! What'd he say?"

He said: "WHO THE F..K DID YOUR HAIR?"

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