tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83747590656082417522024-03-13T20:13:42.598+00:00UKMappingThe inside word on UKMapAlun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-5751067322789664122010-06-10T15:26:00.000+01:002010-06-10T15:26:53.370+01:00London Revealed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/TBD1yba0lOI/AAAAAAAAAdY/UhSPFypwQi8/s1600/May+2010_lw+lw+res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/TBD1yba0lOI/AAAAAAAAAdY/UhSPFypwQi8/s320/May+2010_lw+lw+res.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Univers 45 Light'; font-size: 12.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The GeoInformation Group Reveals London In Just One Day<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><h4 style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">New aerial imagery captured using state-of-the-art camera</span></em></h4><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">10 June 2010: Cambridge </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">–</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> A stunning new aerial image revealing life in remarkable detail across the capital has been captured by The GeoInformation® Group to upgrade its existing Cities Revealed™ London database.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This new aerial photography survey of London was completed in just one day on the 23rd of May 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Previous air surveys of London have taken up to three years to complete due to weather and complexities of air traffic restrictions across one of the busiest air spaces in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Using a state-of-the-art digital A3 camera, The GeoInformation Group, along with its flying partner Aerodata International Surveys, was able to survey and collect over 4500 images across London in one flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new camera technology enabled the survey aircraft to fly more efficiently yet still collect 10 cm ground resolution imagery.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This is the first time that photography of London has been collected at this level in such a short space of time. The clarity and detail makes it possible to see work ongoing at the Olympic Site, count the empty seats on open top buses and even see people enjoying the sunshine in Trafalgar Square.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/TBD2HYuQGRI/AAAAAAAAAdg/IcSIPdR4b_Y/s1600/May+2010+ext+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/TBD2HYuQGRI/AAAAAAAAAdg/IcSIPdR4b_Y/s320/May+2010+ext+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“We are very excited about the success of this new project and the benefits it will bring to our customers,” comments Dr Alun Jones, Managing Director of The GeoInformation Group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Early feedback from our customers to the first sample images and the news that all of London was captured in just one day has been highly positive and now they just want to get their hands on this unique database”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; tab-stops: 256.7pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">These images are geographically accurate and will be processed into one seamless, map accurate, image database. This database will be made available as a standalone image product and via The GeoInformation Group online service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will also be used to update The GeoInformation Group’s new, large-scale mapping product, UKMap®.<o:p></o:p></span></div></span>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-73277330847819683532010-04-08T11:05:00.005+01:002010-04-08T11:51:33.922+01:00A better way to enjoy shopping centres<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o4bQ6mk7ABo/S72vOrvJDBI/AAAAAAAAABA/dFZTW_UQc90/s1600/brent+cross+master1+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o4bQ6mk7ABo/S72vOrvJDBI/AAAAAAAAABA/dFZTW_UQc90/s320/brent+cross+master1+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457710990236388370" /></a><br />I know many of us have an aversion to shopping centres but we at UKMap quite like them. They offer quite a challenge to us not only in mapping their exterior but also the interior complete with the multi-level aspect too.<div><br /><div>Well this is a sneak preview of the results of our efforts to incorporate all the retail information into UKMap; here is Brent Cross shopping centre in glorious 3D. Created using ESRI ArcGIS and Sketch Up V6.0.</div><div><br /></div><div>Video of this here on the new <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1iWUNACCys">UKMap</a> YouTube channel </div><div><br /></div><div>So far we have mapped the exterior of all 68 major shopping centres across greater London as part of the UKMap product and have now completed the internal structures of 23 of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each shop is named, classified and coloured, above, according to its retail category; one of 110 retail categories inside <a href="http://www.theukmap.co.uk/">UKMap</a>, these include for example, department stores, coffee shops, florists, mobile phone shops etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>With building footprint, name, address, retail classification and 3D structure this offers a unique combination of GIS and retail information visualised in a way we hope makes such complex data seem simple . Now to finish the rest of the shopping centres!</div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-11176756217600093432010-03-04T15:32:00.001+00:002010-03-04T15:32:33.191+00:00UKMAP good for Land RegistryGreat news was received today at UKMap HQ. After much review and testing Land Registry have confirmed [and are happy for us to tell people] that they are happy to accept registrations based on UKMap.<br />Great news for all those consultants, government types and property professional using UKMap. <br />Full text below <br />"Following a review of UKMap, Land Registry is able to confirm that UKMap meets Land Registry's requirements as a mapping base on which registration applications can be made and is comfortable accepting registration applications based on UKMap. Such registration applications must still follow relevant guidance as set out in Public Guide 40."<br /> <br /><br />Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-23457894457527778582010-02-22T13:09:00.001+00:002010-02-22T13:14:07.160+00:00Latest Updates to UKMap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/S4KBnu5vH1I/AAAAAAAAAbw/4DxOVeesfhE/s1600-h/London+Fire+1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/S4KBnu5vH1I/AAAAAAAAAbw/4DxOVeesfhE/s320/London+Fire+1small.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Where has time gone - cannot believe my last post was way back in December. So a rapid catch up is needed. Here it is:</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">New customers (just a sample)</span></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">London Fire, serious users with a serious need to get better mapping. Now they have that with </span></span><a href="http://www.theukmap.co.uk/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">UKMap</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">London Borough of Islington - managing their green environment, UKMap's trees and Land Use makes all the difference for them.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Mott Macdonald - detailed city centre mapping, all in glorious 3D.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Promap - the UK's leading mapping portal for the Land and Property market have </span><a href="http://www.geoconnexion.com/geouk_news_article/UK-FIRST-AS-PROMAP-INCLUDES-UKMAP%C2%AE/7618"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">announced</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> they are taking UKMap</span></span></li>
</ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">UKMap Updates</span></b></span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Points of Interest improvements - to include sub classes, so now it is much easier to analyse and search for key locations such as, car parks (part of Transport), law courts (part of Local Govt), schools (community) and leisure centres (Sports and Leisure)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Fire stations - yes thanks to feed back from London Fire we have now improved our Fire Station database, including London's newest </span></span><a href="http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/Features.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">fire station</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Retail Centres - major update to include all floors and all shops, collected in the last few months</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Improvements to retail building divisions - new updates following additional field work.</span></span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">This plus other technical edits have have been requested by users and we are pleased to be able to accomodate their wishes to continue improving UKMap.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Other news</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">We were pleased to see that our long standing customer London Borough of Brent was </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">was commended by the Association For Geographic Information in its Public Sector category for Brent's innovative application of UKMap.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The most recent piece of news is that we have announced for the first time our sponsorship of </span><a href="http://gisruk2010.spatial-literacy.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">GISRUK</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> 2010 and we are looking forward to announcing a UKMap challenge to the academic community in conjunction with this conference. Contact me if you want more information.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I'll try to keep up to date with developments here with more posts in the future.</span></span></span></div></div><div><br />
</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-41801541354750881212009-12-04T10:46:00.001+00:002009-12-04T10:46:08.418+00:00UKMap PresentationLots of partners and attendees of our training courses have been asking about some additional slide material. So to help spread the word I have uploaded the basic UKMap presentation. Enjoy! More to follow.<br /><br />Let me know what other subjects you would like to see: applications, licensing, technology etc<div style="width:425px;text-align:left" id="__ss_2648085"><a style="font:14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;display:block;margin:12px 0 3px 0;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/Alunj/ukmap-presentation-r1" title="UKMap Presentation R1">UKMap Presentation R1</a><object style="margin:0px" width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=ukmappresentationr1-1259922248882-phpapp02&stripped_title=ukmap-presentation-r1" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=ukmappresentationr1-1259922248882-phpapp02&stripped_title=ukmap-presentation-r1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="font-size:11px;font-family:tahoma,arial;height:26px;padding-top:2px;">View more <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.slideshare.net/Alunj">Alun Jones</a>.</div></div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-32529825824224997372009-12-02T17:36:00.001+00:002009-12-02T17:37:37.810+00:00Devil is in the detail!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Sxal0Z3T55I/AAAAAAAAAZA/MaXOPxDVy4A/s1600-h/devil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Sxal0Z3T55I/AAAAAAAAAZA/MaXOPxDVy4A/s200/devil.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Well just about everyone else has blogged about this so I thought I would too, but with questions that we should ask about the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/nov/19/ordnance-survey-maps-free-online">announcement</a> that OS data will be free.<br />
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At the high level this is good, very good, not just for us at UKMap, not just for professional map users but for all levels of society that will now benefit from increased applications and services that will undoubtedly arise as a result of this.<br />
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But, and it is a big BUT, the devil is in the detail. <br />
Questions:<br />
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1. Specifically what datasets will be considered free, all down to 1:10k, vector and raster, ONS boundaries? Need a list!<br />
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2. Postcode boundaries to what level, areas- rubbish, districts - mmmm - Sectors - Ok, Units yes please, but doubt it? <br />
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3. No mention of the Royal Mail?<br />
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4. What will the extent of derived data be, just on those datasets that are free - very difficult to police, so all datasets?<br />
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5. What will be the definition of derived data be. I would say KISS, check out <a href="http://www.theukmap.co.uk/benefits/">UKMap's view</a>. The simpler the better, adopt a policy of cooperation and then go after obvious infringements and not scare everyone.<br />
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6. Implementation time, all go on April 1st (make that the 2nd)?<br />
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7. Derived data on archived material, surely it must relate to all data created not new data?<br />
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Key of course this represents very little revenue to Ordnance Survey, so it will be interesting to see what the quid pro quo is for them for taking this step. A more commercialised Ordnance Survey – watch out partners?<br />
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So roll on the 14th Dec - is the date I heard for the release of the consultation - and lets all make a positive contribution to the future of GI in this country.Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-25285651888214265722009-11-17T15:17:00.000+00:002009-11-17T15:17:16.728+00:00GeoCompetition and Innovation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SwK8P-TC29I/AAAAAAAAAY4/609tLiSGzq4/s1600/agi+scotland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SwK8P-TC29I/AAAAAAAAAY4/609tLiSGzq4/s320/agi+scotland.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last week I was invited to give a talk at the annual AGI Scotland event on the subject of Geo competition and innovation.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been asked by many for a copy of the slides, <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/Alunj/geo-innovation-and-potential">so here they are</a>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To summarise the message of my talk: "even in a time that many may consider to be doom and gloom there are many many bright initiavtives and innovations happenning across the world. These innovations are driving competition and this competition is delivering savings and improved services to the end user.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Organisations, particularly government ones, that have strategies that see them fixed into one technology or one supplier will find it increasing difficult to test and adopt such innovations and naturally will not see the savings that such innovations and competition bring with it."<br />
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</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-39324023527597881132009-11-09T20:28:00.004+00:002009-11-09T20:46:04.835+00:00London Olympic Mapping Copyright Free<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_o4bQ6mk7ABo/Svh87e6YqHI/AAAAAAAAAAU/Wl0qNqq39ow/s1600-h/olympic+logo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 198px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402205114382985330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_o4bQ6mk7ABo/Svh87e6YqHI/AAAAAAAAAAU/Wl0qNqq39ow/s320/olympic+logo.jpg" /></a> I am not sure if this is news or not but it is worth a post. Following conversations between the UKMap team and the Olympic Development Agency I received today an email (full text below) which states that they are going to make available mapping of the London Olympic site to all and it will be copyright free.<br /><br />This is great news for the mapping and location industry. Although full details have yet to be released, if the mapping follows the email we can all base our work on one Master Plan.<br /><br />Immediate questions such as content, layers, scale, updates, release dates etc are all to be confirmed but I think this is a big tick for the London Olympics. <br /><br />We might not have the biggest stadium but at least we can make it best located one!<br /><br />Email text below:<br />"I’m in the process of creating an OS Licence free map based on the CAD Master plan of the Olympic Park.<br />As part of this process we will be creating a “Masterplan” drawing that we will be giving out to not only yourselves, but all mapping companies that is free of copyright.<br />This masterplan will be converted to SHP and Adobe Illustrator.<br />I will know more about the delivery date by the end of November"<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_o4bQ6mk7ABo/Svh8peQ8pWI/AAAAAAAAAAM/-QpYAxTCrgU/s1600-h/olympic+logo.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-76530038755427683842009-11-02T21:23:00.001+00:002009-11-02T21:25:12.885+00:00How green is my city?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Su9HfqhYyMI/AAAAAAAAAYY/K9QETeJwVS8/s1600-h/Image9_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Su9HfqhYyMI/AAAAAAAAAYY/K9QETeJwVS8/s320/Image9_sm.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was invited by <a href="http://www.ltoa.org.uk/">The London Tree Officers Association</a> to show how UKMap can map the tree canopy of London. The full presentation is <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/Alunj/uk-map-presentation-trees">here</a>.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> One key fact we learnt was that in New York, the Tree Officer had shown that for every $1 spent on trees New Yorkers gained $5 of benefit.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yet in London we don't even have a tree canopy map or even an idea of how the population of trees are changing. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With a quick bit of UKMap analysis I showed that <strong>11%</strong> of east side of London is covered with trees.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Significant or not? Too early to tell. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But with climate change dominating our horizon, trees are an easy way to reduce our emissions.<br />
</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-68477114147428472742009-10-14T17:37:00.000+01:002009-10-14T17:37:12.740+01:00New Geo Event Announced For 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/StX7hqtNr3I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/2lsbieY-Z8A/s1600-h/flyer_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/StX7hqtNr3I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/2lsbieY-Z8A/s320/flyer_Page_1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">David Rhind (Ex, DG of OS), Ed Parsons (GI Guru), Chris Roper (GI Entrepreneur) all on one stage at the Cities Revealed 2010 event. Open to all.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This years event celebrates 10 years of Cities Revealed with a Smörgåsbord of GI activities, including Workshops, Seminars, User case studies and Key note speakers.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Topics include Mash Ups, Mapping, GPS, Map output, route finding and some insights into where the future for GI lies.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year looks like being the best yet.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As with each year the event is always fully booked so make sure you <a href="http://www.citiesrevealed.com/events/">book</a> now, or soon to get a fresh perspective on the road ahead and some training to go with it.<br />
</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-43341120778761902332009-10-08T16:47:00.000+01:002009-10-08T16:47:06.127+01:00UKMap countrywide flying programme<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Ss4G0StlZ1I/AAAAAAAAAYI/G64tdwBngxI/s1600-h/fleet2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Ss4G0StlZ1I/AAAAAAAAAYI/G64tdwBngxI/s320/fleet2.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, as you may have guessed we have just <a href="http://www.citiesrevealed.com/news/">announced</a> our plans to deliver a new countrywide aerial survey programme for the UK. Why you may ask are we doing this given that there are a few others already attempting to do this.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Well to put it simply we need high quality, up to date aerial imagery that is our copyright to be the base for our UKMap product.<br />
<br />
Thanks to our friends at <a href="http://www.aerodata-surveys.com/">Aerodata</a> we have in fact already started the process by flying the West Midlands, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire areas of the country, with a digital camera at 10 cm resolution.<br />
One unique part of our plan is to fly all year round - obviously only in good weather - but we feel this will give us the ability to collect all the imagery we need in a few years and will give the advantage of imagery without the blanket of leaves that accompany summer flying programmes.<br />
<br />
Keep an eye out for more developments soon.Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-28351585374998174592009-09-29T20:52:00.001+01:002009-09-29T20:54:53.881+01:00UKMap Pricing UpdatesWe just launched an update to our UKMap price list following feedback, over 100 downloads of the pack so far, which we are pleased with.<br />
<br />
The updates are related to the pricing guide:<br />
1. You can now order up to four UKMap tiles for your minimum order fee (a saving of £400!).<br />
2. We have simplified our pricing structure. <br />
UKMap with maintenance is now only £200/sqkm a saving of £160/sqkm<br />
UKMap without maintenance is £140/sqkm.<br />
Both these prices are for all 9 layers of UKMap - bargin!<br />
The price list is focused on the 1 to 10sqkm, not 20sqkm.<br />
For those who want areas above 10 sqkm please call us.<br />
<br />
Look out for the new UK National Map Reference system - need to wiki this to explain more.Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-54515799547232943842009-09-25T17:13:00.001+01:002009-09-25T17:33:52.117+01:00UKMap - Every Little Helps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SrzqYQutcNI/AAAAAAAAAYA/Is8MN50OjDw/s1600-h/ukmap_sco2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SrzqYQutcNI/AAAAAAAAAYA/Is8MN50OjDw/s320/ukmap_sco2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alot I am sure is going to come out of the AGI conference over the coming weeks.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We at UKMap had a great time and were over whelmed with the reception we received and the positive comments we were given - more on that later.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So why the change of logo? In a conference 'boxing match' between Google and OS, UKMap was positioned similar to a well know supermarket, so our friends at STAR-APIC (Tom & Stuart) were quick to come up with this.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes we are happy with the analogy - as we are about competition and choice for the consumer and about value at a competative price.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But no we are not changing our logo.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More to come.<br />
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</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-15306699581224534902009-09-24T19:28:00.001+01:002009-09-24T19:30:00.653+01:00UKMap Prices Out<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">UKMap pricing now <a href="http://www.theukmap.co.uk/buy">out</a>. Hope you all like it. Feed back please.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">To tired to write more after exhausting AGI 2009 conf - what a great event. But more on that later<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Sru53gZlZhI/AAAAAAAAAX4/tmTCVF0idgk/s1600-h/sales+price+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Sru53gZlZhI/AAAAAAAAAX4/tmTCVF0idgk/s320/sales+price+list.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-47321247485614563082009-09-20T13:50:00.002+01:002009-09-20T13:56:47.583+01:00UKMap LicensingReading through the final draft of the UKMap end user licence document and wondering how the professional user community will react to our licensing document.<br />We have tried to keep it simple to enable less onerous use of our mapping, but I just wonder how many will misinterpret this to be a licensing to mis use.<br /><br />I hope not many, as for every time we see an abuse of our mapping we are then forced to consider amending our licence and then our EULA starts to become huge! Which defeats the object of all UKMap stands for.<br />Lets hope sanity prevails " use and not abuse" comes to mind. Time will tell.Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-13784991204781680012009-09-17T11:00:00.004+01:002009-09-17T11:04:02.683+01:00UKMap Field worker sights #1<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SrII6-oL7UI/AAAAAAAAAXw/KQrkgugGLfo/s1600-h/IMG_0140.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382374313998150978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SrII6-oL7UI/AAAAAAAAAXw/KQrkgugGLfo/s320/IMG_0140.jpg" /></a> We all know parking in London is at a premiun but this is surely going a bit far! Note the red thing squashed in between the two cars - it's a motor bike. <br /><br />A photo taken by one of our field workers in south London. No injuries we gather phew!<br /><br />More great sights to follow.Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-62125533608347632682009-09-16T09:18:00.003+01:002009-09-16T09:30:46.357+01:00UKMap pricing out soon<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SrChO094yXI/AAAAAAAAAXo/eXP_C_xbXKo/s1600-h/Cessna+310+air2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381978830816201074" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SrChO094yXI/AAAAAAAAAXo/eXP_C_xbXKo/s320/Cessna+310+air2.jpg" /></a><br /><div>OK, I know this blog has been quiet, but we are back. Summer has been very busy, new flying for the next UKMap cities (in partnership with of our great friends at Aerodata) 19 presentations in 5 weeks, the final compilation of UKMap ready for publication and sorting our our pricing documents.</div><div></div><br /><div>Look out next week for their release on our <a href="http://www.theukmap.co.uk/">web site</a>, some 200 demonstration data users are very keen to see this.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In advance I can say we have kept our pricing and licensing documents to a minimum, they have been reviewed by some current and prospective users - feed back very positive - phew!</div><div></div><br /><div>Keep an eye on the web site next week.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-21659882554083579982009-07-01T15:56:00.003+01:002009-07-10T17:15:37.484+01:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Skt5XsWX5fI/AAAAAAAAATA/NBbncamjIzA/s1600-h/geoconnexion.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353506030008919538" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Skt5XsWX5fI/AAAAAAAAATA/NBbncamjIzA/s320/geoconnexion.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We were pleased to hear that our UKMap article was the most viewed one on the Geoconnexion UK site, accounting for over 50% of all articles traffic from the first day of release to date - the next most popular was 12.%; our PDF article had some 17,926 views. .</div><div> </div><div>So the challenge is one for us to keep the interest up. However with a product like UKMap that will not be too hard.</div><div>Keep an eye out for some announcements in the near future on pricing - yes I know you all want it - you should be pleasantly surprised, and a certified programme for all those who want to show off their knowledge of UKMap and their software.</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-73168482783859089062009-06-18T17:28:00.005+01:002009-06-18T17:46:55.914+01:00The week that was<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SjpvA-BorTI/AAAAAAAAASE/eJwVMlUfjgk/s1600-h/guardian1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348709569896426802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SjpvA-BorTI/AAAAAAAAASE/eJwVMlUfjgk/s400/guardian1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Well what a week, topped by an article in the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jun/17/free-data-ordnance-survey-maps">Guardian online </a>. So much going on, here is a synopsis: <div><br /><p>Monday - Houses of Parliament to meet MP Mark Todd, spent an hour with him discussing governments view (or rather his view of it from the inside) on geographic data, trading funds and location issues. To sum it all - no real change for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UK's</span> trading funds too much else going on and no overarching policy/control, if anything more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">competitive trading funds</span>.</p><p>Tuesday - finalised our demo data and started the process of cutting the data to service the 100+ requests - thanks for being so patient those who have sent back <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">completed</span> forms</p><p>Wednesday - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">GeoDATA</span> 2009 - over 200 people listening to 11 different talks on GI data, meeting with 12 companies. A great day, we were very busy, huge interest - and yes pricing will be released - in September - and no we are not planning to do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cumbria</span>!</p><p>Thursday - British Cartographers Society - guys who know about maps and creating them. Gave a paper on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">UKMap</span> - stunned silence. They were figuring out what this means and how they can create wonderful maps with our data. Great stuff.</p><p>Friday - answering emails - don't have a '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">crackberry</span>'!</p></div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-59971630058548642872009-06-16T07:57:00.003+01:002009-06-16T08:08:44.721+01:00iphone Mapping Apps<a href="http://www.obachi.org/2009/06/15/grid-reference-iphone-app/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347816849854022434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SjdDF0tlwyI/AAAAAAAAAR0/NEWKtnPmgW0/s200/iphone+app.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SjdC9Peys6I/AAAAAAAAARs/3JVDHaBtJW0/s1600-h/iphone+app.jpg"></a>This looks a great app, particularly for us in the UK, handy and useful for both professional and consumer user too; no IP infringemnet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"> as</span> the UK National Grid does not attract such restrictions. See <a href="http://www.obachi.org/">http://www.obachi.org/</a> for more.</div><div></div><div>The pace with which location is being utilised by the new media and technology community is leaving many traditional users behind and also forcing us with location databases to think from fresh how we licence our location data.</div><div></div><div>Something we at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">UKMap</span> team are already engaged with a number of technology/solution suppliers who need high quality location data....watch this space. Maybe a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">iphone</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">UKMap</span> app one day !<br />Full link <a href="http://www.obachi.org/2009/06/15/grid-reference-iphone-app/">http://www.obachi.org/2009/06/15/grid-reference-iphone-app/</a></div><div></div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-8097544138090170702009-06-10T20:45:00.002+01:002009-06-10T21:01:49.995+01:00UKMap Launch<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SjANqS5VnBI/AAAAAAAAARk/8uQi-L3w4TI/s1600-h/UKMap+Launch+015_small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345787777966775314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SjANqS5VnBI/AAAAAAAAARk/8uQi-L3w4TI/s320/UKMap+Launch+015_small.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>Well, what a blast! We had our launch on Monday 8th at the British Computer Society with over 70 invited guests in attendance. It was really good to see such enthusiasm and excitement for what we have done. Excitement and geography don't often go together but this was one occasion it did!</p><p>We showed UKMap on a Mac (Ed was happy!) and in the usual GIS software. Our Oracle solution attracted much attention and a big thanks to the guys at STAR-APIC for pulling out the stops to deliver this.</p><p>Many of the guests were intrigued by our latest data collection device, supported by a grant from BERR we have created a rapid data collection PC complete with digital compass, camera, GPS and a bright screen - all with a long battery life and one that you can carry!</p><p>Our official <a href="http://www.theukmap.co.uk/">press release</a> gives some quotes from users, not for here, but we were genuinely surprised by the sense of surprise and awe at what we had achieved and for some how real this was as an alternative of other mapping sources.</p><p>Next up <a href="http://www.training4gis.com/">GeoData</a> 2009, June 17th at the Emirates.</p>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-10801142944420566762009-06-03T21:09:00.004+01:002009-06-03T21:13:54.341+01:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SibZAxojAlI/AAAAAAAAARc/GsdKiUaw7qo/s1600-h/events_geodata09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343196615268303442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 109px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SibZAxojAlI/AAAAAAAAARc/GsdKiUaw7qo/s320/events_geodata09.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/Sdo1zi1TnAI/AAAAAAAAABo/p95ARhS73Vg/s1600-h/events_geodata09.jpg"></a></div><div>We just announced that the UKMap team and I will be taking part in the <a href="http://www.citiesrevealed.com/events/geodata09/">GeoDATA</a> roadshows. </div><div>These roadshows are free and offer attendees a great set of seminars and an exhibition with a chance to meet a good bunch of GIS and mapping guys, and girls too! </div><div><br />First one is at the Emirates Stadium on June 18th, and then we move on to Leeds, Edinburgh and Birmingham in the coming weeks. </div><div><br />We are really looking forward to getting out on the road and hearing what users have to say about UKMap. We take all comments on board, good and bad! </div><div><br />Pop along and get your first 'live' look at UKMap; GeoDATA is free and offers a great chance to see so many geo companies and technologies under one roof (CPD points available too), but register quickly as place are limited at this popular event.</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-61316379463093853892009-06-02T20:44:00.002+01:002009-06-02T21:02:09.811+01:00Security Concerns<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SiWFGXll5gI/AAAAAAAAAP4/l5T6Bi2wFMc/s1600-h/no.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342822877402359298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SiWFGXll5gI/AAAAAAAAAP4/l5T6Bi2wFMc/s320/no.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SiWBj420tnI/AAAAAAAAAPw/u6BRpwBADNw/s1600-h/no.jpg"></a>Had a strange one today, which goes to show how far the message about <a href="http://www.theukmap.co.uk/">UKMap</a> has reached.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A call from a Security Team leader of a major utility company who wanted to know what we were doing about publishing the details of their secure locations. They were concerned that as a commercial company we would publish maps that might help those who would seek to do harm to our critical national infrastructure.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We create our mapping from publicly available imagery (<a href="http://www.citiesrevealed.com/">Cities Revealed</a>), containing detail similar to that you will see on Google Earth or Microsoft VE; our content comes from field workers who record what they see by walking on public land. So if it is public we record it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So to all those who think we know something of secrets sites - we don't. Please feel free to license some UKMap to check it out for yourself though!</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-20454903837511847162009-06-01T20:23:00.004+01:002009-06-01T20:39:16.287+01:00Sample Data<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SiQscWJriKI/AAAAAAAAAPA/iAbRHLHzPyM/s1600-h/sample.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342443923462391970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SiQscWJriKI/AAAAAAAAAPA/iAbRHLHzPyM/s320/sample.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sample data has been much requested today and I suspect this will increase over the next few days as word gets out.<br /><br />The demo data request forms are working perfectly so if you haven't received a response, don't worry.<br /><br />Our next step will be to send you a demo data licence, when you complete that we shall send you the demo data.<br /><br />The demo data licences will go out this week for those who have completed a form.<br /><br />Demo data, for those who have signed the licence, will go out in the week after after the formal public launch event to be held on the 8th June in central London.Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8374759065608241752.post-45303249174930279642009-06-01T11:25:00.001+01:002009-06-03T21:08:23.065+01:00UKMap Launched<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SiLXuB_2KXI/AAAAAAAAAOg/tZcMR2mUdqY/s1600-h/Mapping+image1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342069293825010034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eiHsKcQGO_M/SiLXuB_2KXI/AAAAAAAAAOg/tZcMR2mUdqY/s320/Mapping+image1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Well today we announced the launch of a new commercial large scale mapping programme for the UK that has been created independently of OS; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UKMap</span>.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">We have ambitiously set ourselves the target of achieving coverage of 568 towns and cities within 5 years (We recently completed a similar product for two telecoms companies within 18 months, albeit to a much reduced specification). </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Crazy or not we started with the obvious city if not the hardest - London, all 1,570 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sqkms</span> of it.</div><br /><div align="center">That is all digitised now and a large part of the field work is complete as I write, now it is a case of putting it all together. September will see the launch of the full London product, although we do have some customers already using parts of London now.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Look out Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester,......here we come!</div><br /><div align="center">Very exciting, if not daunting to be the first (I think?) commercial company to come out with a large scale mapping product. </div><div align="center">Check out the official web site for more details <a href="http://www.theukmap.co.uk/">http://www.theukmap.co.uk/</a>; or keep tabs on our progress through this blog.</div><br /><div align="center">Please feel free to contribute too!</div>Alun Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11892512272760737370noreply@blogger.com0