november 2001 archives

Wednesday, November 28, 2001

For a while Scaleable vector graphics, or SVG, have been the rumour amongst the Web cartography underground. Especially at carto:net, there has been quite some research in this area. Today, Avenza announced its new MAPublisher-SVG utility: to turn GIS data into internet-enabled vector maps.

SVG is a new graphics file format and Internet development language based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language). SVG enables website developers and designers to create dynamically generated, high-quality graphics from real-time data with precise structural and visual control. With this powerful new technology, SVG developers can create a new generation of Web applications based on data-driven, interactive, and personalised graphics. SVG files are vector files rather than the usual raster files one typically sees on the Internet. This means that they are quickly and easily scalable, zoomable and load much faster in a web browser.This is one of the things that makes SVG a perfect format for delivering maps over the Internet. With MAPublisher and MAPublisher-SVG you can create not only an eye-pleasing vector web map but also one that can reveal information to your visitors. The MAPublisher-SVG exporter allows your MAPublisher map document to be exported from Adobe Illustrator in SVG format and when used with the included Javascript ‘wrapper’ applets and html sample code, provides all that is necessary for your SVG map to be searched and queried by web browsers.
Hopefully this easy utility will leverage further research in SVG for cartography on the Internet. Hey, imagine SVG on your PDA or WAP telephone!. Maybe one day there will be a smooth flow from GIS to SVG. That would be really cool...  permanent link for this entry

Monday, November 26, 2001

Last night at the airport (on time, really!) I bought the November issue of Wired Magazine. In this issue, there are quite some interesting articles about LBS (= Location Based Services). Whereas this field is usually described from a GIS point of view, Wired takes a technology-driven approach. There's lots of interesting features to develop based on the article “Be Here Now: The Missing Wireless Link”. For online and wireless routeplanning applications, I would like to recommend the article “The Perfect Commute”. In short: location-based services: a complementary technology that transforms wireless devices from second-class Web browsers to first-class windows on a dimension thus far neglected online: position.  permanent link for this entry

Saturday, November 24, 2001

Yet again from below sea level... Weekend at last:no more travelling until Sunday. Was great to see a lot of people after a long time or not so long time. The conference was very interesting. Learned about process management of cartographic production. Had also good discussions about online routeplanners. There's two parties I have been invited to tomorrow night: one at Tim's and one at Amber's. Probably because they knew before inviting me that I was not able to make it? :-) Well, I will have a fab time here in the Netherlands then! Will be back Sunday night!  permanent link for this entry

Monday, November 05, 2001

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Just got back from Clapham Common. Arranged to meet my flatmates Theresa and Rachel to watch the fireworks tonight. It was a wonderful display. Last year, Guy Fawkes past without notice, but this year I was really looking forward to it. Although very tempting, I decided to get home after just one “swift half”. Had a great weekend back in Enschede. On Saturday Aya invited me to Rabab's place as a birthday present! The surprise was really successful! Hearing her voice over the intercom was already so exciting! After the party I met up with Gilat and Tal and also Tom and Monija were there! Although it had not been a long time I hadn't seen Gilat and Tal it was so good to see them again. But Tom and Monija I really had not seen for such a long while. It was really like the old times again! I am very glad I will be back in Enschede again within three weeks' time. Looking forward to seeing them all once again! I so much miss the place and the people!  permanent link for this entry