I am a full-time user of Ubuntu, world’s most popular free operating system. I run GRASS GIS and Quantum GIS on my Ubuntu. April 28 is a memorable day for Ubuntu users as it marked the debut of new Unity interface which is a boon to usability. Unity has redefined the Linux Desktop and I laud the efforts of Canonical for taking the revolutionary decision to implement a new desktop environment. I am sure this decision will take Ubuntu a long way.
Hi, I'm Chethan — a Cloud Architect writing about software, personal finance, telecom, and automobiles.
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In June 2010 I had written about esri’s highly restrictive policies regarding making their software available for common users. See, ArcGIS 10: My big question for esri. Later for my academic project, I switched to FOSS GIS - GRASS GIS and Quantum GIS. Today I was casually browsing esri site to check if anything had changed over this duration. I was pleased to see esri now provide 60-day trial of ArcGIS, that too at ArcEditor license level plus several extensions. I had already logged in via my esri global account, so just had to click the link Get Your 60-Day Trial Now to be taken to a page with download or order options.
Option is also provided to download 1.87 GB tutorial DVD. So now one can experience the full power of ArcGIS. We must remember that so far (till version 9.3 and earlier stages of 10 release) getting a beta/trial/evaluation copy of ArcGIS was the privilege of under maintenance/support customers. There was always a ‘Request a DVD’ option but the local distributors never used to care unless you were a prospective customer. I am unsure from when esri started giving this option but I noticed it today and I am glad that they did. So now the situation has changed. Good going esri!
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On Wednesday Google announced Google Earth Builder, an enterprise mapping platform powered by Google’s cloud. Google Earth Builder is planned for launch in July 2011 but let’s know the flexibility and ease it has to offer for users. Google Earth Builder aims to make map making and publishing easy for Governments and Enterprises. Storing and managing spatial data, the crucial parts of geospatial infrastructure is made easy as everything is taken care of by Google’s proven cloud infrastructure. It also becomes easy for users to grant access to necessary personnel for the data.
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Georeferencing is the first step of any GIS based analysis or map-making process. Given the importance of Georeferencing, all GIS software packages have wide variety of features/facilities for georeferencing operations. But if you are in a hurry and have no access to such sophisticated applications or if you don’t have access to a georeferenced map to carry out this operation then “Georeferencer” can definitely prove to be a boon. Georeferencer provides the unique facility to get georeferencing done online. All that you need to have is a scanned map.
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GPS which is plays a key role in the lives of people across the world and is a driving force of significant number of nations worldwide is under a major threat. The backbone of GPS, i.e, the viability of GPS signal itself stands threatened. All this is expected because of introduction of 4G Wireless Service. The company Lightsquared in question was permitted to offer wireless broadband services in the US. Problems are expected due to Lightsquare’s use of L-band frequencies near GPS’s operating spectrum. Widespread GPS jamming is anticipated in US due to usage of 40,000 transmission towers for 4G services which in turn would render much weaker GPS signals useless. Irony is that citizens need both broadband and GPS! No one can fore go one for the other.
This has raised widespread concerns among largest corporations in GPS industry as well as others along with ordinary citizens. Therefore, Coalition to Save Our GPS has been setup with a motto - Uniting to Protect GPS - A National Utility for More than 30 Years. This coalition has industry biggies as members - Trimble, OmniSTAR, Garmin, Deere & Company to name a few. Lot of work is going on under this coalition. White papers are published, studies conducted, filings are made before FCC and so on. A free GPS ebook is also provided to raise awareness in this regard.