Saturday, August 25, 2012

JOSM Java based editor for OpenStreetMap

I've been taking a harder look at OpenStreetMap.org lately. As I learned more about the project, it became clear that JOSM was the editing tool of choice for creators and users of OpenStreetMap geodata.

Learn more about the JOSM editor and more about OpenStreetMap here.

Best,

Mike

Monday, July 30, 2012

Free One Million-Scale GIS Shapefiles to Download and Use as You Please

New one million-scale shapefiles are available from the National Atlas team. They include the following categories of shapefiles: U.S. boundaries, map reference, transportation and water. You can download these for free and use them in any manner that you please.

Learn more about the new one million-scale shapefiles

Saturday, June 23, 2012

National Weather Service Extreme and Hazardous Weather Alerts Maps

The National Weather Service is inviting you to comment on their new extreme and hazardous weather alerts maps. They show alerts for the nation and by state as well. Very comprehensive and include every imaginable alert.

Learn more and preview the National Weather Service alerts maps

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Why is Yosemite Closing Less Expensive Lodging Due to Rock Fall Risk? More Die in a Few Years Falling on Rocks than 155 Years of Rocks Falling on People

I just read that Yosemite National Park is closing many of the least expensive lodgings due to the risk of rock falls. I did a little bit of research and found that in 155 years, 15 people have been killed by rock falls in the park. I also found that more people are killed by falling on rocks in the park in just a year or two. Does this make any sense at all?

Read more, view maps and download reports

Thursday, May 17, 2012

IPCC Climate Change GIS Shapefiles at Discount

Hello - You can now purchase multiple regions of the IPCC-based GIS shapefiles at a discount. The regular price for each region's shapefile set (each region has multiple decades from 2010 through 2099)is $47, but you can purchase regions 1 through 5 or regions 6 through 10 (either temperature or precipitation) for $197 saving $38 over the cost of purchasing individually.

These shapefiles are based on the latest IPCC climate data and indicate precipitation and temperature scenarios for 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, 2050, 2060, 2070, 2080, 2090 and 2099.

Click here to access the IPCC-based climate change shapefiles

Click here to access the IPCC-based climate change shapefiles

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Map Used in Bogus Article About Obama Supposedly Ceding Islands to Russia

I'm continually amazed at how totally bogus claims, with no basis in fact, circulate around the net and become "fact" to many. Here's a map that was used in an article claiming that the Obama administration was giving away oil rich islands to Russia. The map clearly shows a line and the islands marked are clearly on the Russian side. That's a clue, at least it was for me. Here's the map and you can read more about it here.

Read more about Obama bashing claim of oil-rich island giveaway here

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