Apr
14
2008
Wayland, MA – April 14, 2008 – The members of the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC) today announced the approval of the OpenGIS® KML Encoding Standard (OGC KML), marking KML’s transition into an open standard which will be maintained by the OGC. Developers will now have a standard approach for using KML to code and share visual geographic content in existing or future web-based online maps and 3D geospatial browsers like Google EarthTM.
The OpenGIS KML 2.2 Encoding Standard formalizes the KML 2.2 model and language while remaining backwards compatible with existing KML 2.2 files and tools. In comparison with the GoogleTM KML 2.2 Reference, the standard defines:
the KML 2.2 geometry encoding and interpolation model
an extension model in support of application profiles
conformance requirements and test cases
For more information, please visit the OGC web site.
Oryginal: Louisiana Sea Grant
Apr
11
2008
Microsoft Live has updated their Live Maps and Virtual Earth applications.
Live Maps now offers a number of new features, including:
exporting to GPS devices
improved 3D imagery
Labels for bird’s-eye imagery
MapCruncher integration
For more information, please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/virtualearth/
Oryginal: Louisiana Sea Grant
Apr
10
2008
Norcross, GA — Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging today announced that it has changed its name to ERDAS, Inc. Recently making several acquisitions, the combined company is reintroducing the ERDAS name and will do business under this name moving forward. Building off an established brand in the industry, ERDAS is known for developing the most advanced geospatial technology and delivering reliable customer service and support worldwide. As the earth to business company, the new ERDAS’ product portfolio encompasses the entire geospatial information lifecycle of authoring, managing, connecting and delivering integrated business data.
For more information, please visit: http://www.erdas.com/company/nr/news_article1.aspx
Oryginal: Louisiana Sea Grant
Apr
02
2008
The US Census Bureau has released 2007 TIGER/Line Shapefiles. The 2007 edition of the TIGER/Line data represents a milestone for the Bureau, as it is the first time the data is being distributed as Shapefiles.
The 2007 edition of the TIGER/Line data are part of the MAF/TIGER Accurace Improvement Project.
The TIGER/Line Shapefiles are extracts containing selected geographic and cartographic information from the Census Bureau’s MAF/TIGER® (Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing) database. The MAF/TIGER database was developed at the Census Bureau to support a variety of geographic programs and operations including functions such as mapping, geocoding, and geographic reference files that are used in decennial and economic censuses and sample survey programs. Spatial data for geographic features such as roads, railroads, rivers, and lakes, as well as legal and statistical geographic areas are included in the product. Other information about these features, such as the name, the type of feature, address ranges, and the geographic relationship to other features, also are inlcuded. The TIGER/Line Shapefiles are made available to the public and are typically used to provide the digital map base for a Geographic Information System or for mapping software.
New Terminology:
The modernization of the MAF/TIGER system has resulted in some changes in terminology.
Edge—Supersedes complete chain; refers to both visible and non-visible linear features.
Face—Supersedes GT-polygon; refers to areal (polygon) features.
MAF/TIGER Feature Class Code (MTFCC)—Supersedes the Census Feature Class Code (CFCC). The MTFCC is a 5-digit code intended to classify and describe geographic objects or features. The Census Bureau has prepared a “crosswalk” between the CFCC and the MTFCC that is now available in [Excel] and [TEXT] format. Updated October 9, 2007
More information is available online: http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/index.html
Oryginal: Louisiana Sea Grant