Archive for December 2009





Does GIS Make Kids Gullible?

Dec 17th, 2009 | By

I just read a weird article about “Some Ways to Make Children Think Santa Exists” that includes children follow Santa’s journey on Norad all the way up to a voice transmorgified phone call from Santa. Like “How to Lie With Maps“, it unitentionally raises some questions about how kids are influenced by technology. I would [...]



British Geological Survey Maps

Dec 15th, 2009 | By

The British Geological Survey, the world’s oldest national geological survey, is offering GEOSCIENCE, a free service for sharing geospatial information including maps, 3D maps, and photographs. The GEOSCENIC is really cool because it is geological photos from their archives that can be used free of charge for non-commercial purposes. They have a make-a-map function for [...]



A VerySpatial Podcast – Episode 230

Dec 13th, 2009 | By

A VerySpatial Podcast Shownotes – Episode 230 December 13, 2009 Main Topic: Our conversation on some of our favorite tech and software for 2009 Click to directly download MP3 Click to directly download AAC Click for the detailed shownotes



My Head is a Map and other things

Dec 12th, 2009 | By

If you’re looking for map related gifts this year, one of the most extensive I’ve found is rare maps. You can search for maps by state or type. They even have a monthly contest to win a rare map . This December you can win a 1851 map of Russia in Europe. The only thing [...]



Talking, the lost art form

Dec 9th, 2009 | By

Not geospatial in any way, but the current story-line on Rose Is Rose is a fun little romp through the extremes of social networking.



Maplock…great name

Dec 8th, 2009 | By

Over on Engadget, I did spy with my little eyes the next great accessory for geospatial technologies…the Maplock. This amazing device allows you to chain your in-car navigation unit to your steering wheel to deter thieves from smashing your window and walking away with your GPS device. Admittedly some of the in-car systems are still [...]



A VerySpatial Podcast – Episode 229

Dec 6th, 2009 | By

A VerySpatial Podcast Shownotes – Episode 229 December 6, 2009 Main Topic: Our conversation on space and time in Geography Click to directly download MP3 Click to directly download AAC Click for the detailed shownotes



Well That Was Quick: MIT wins DARPA Challenge

Dec 6th, 2009 | By

According to CNN, MIT has won Darpa’s Balloon Challenge. Darpa released the coordinates yesterday. They were the first to locate 10 weather balloon locations in the U.S. by promising to give away money in a chain format to all who send in locations. The DARPA Challenge site maps the locations of all the balloons in [...]



Geographic Wills

Dec 6th, 2009 | By

According to the BBC, Eric Gordon Douglas from Edinburgh left nearly £11,000 for 20 towns around the world that share his surname. The Herald Scotland states that no one knows anything about their benefactor other than his name and home city. On the Rampant Scotland site you can find out “Is Your Home Town Named [...]



Geography Jokes

Dec 5th, 2009 | By

Something that I’ve wanted to post for a while is Reader’s Digests 50 jokes for 50 states competition. You can be entered in a chance to win $1,500 for a funny but family friendly joke about your state. According to their introductory paragragh, jokes show “the U.S.A. is one big, happy dysfunctional family” It might [...]