SVG break through

Once in a while, you beak around the web and find great things...

Here is an SVG based interactive web mapping site put together by the USDA to show agricultural statistics.

It combines so many things that our students are taught. From using SVG and javascript to make interactive web products to using color schemes from the color brewer web site (where else would those yellow-green classifications schemes come from?!)(on second thought, did Dr. Brewer invent yellow?).

This shows 2002 data but who cares. In fact the 2007 data is all in pdfs or gifs- in other words, no interactivity, no use creativity, just static presentation.

Hocking River Kayak Race

I'm reminded that there is a kayak race on the Hocking River that has been put together by geology prof Dr. Mike Caudill, here at Hocking. All fingers are crossed for a little bit more rain on Thursday and Friday to get the Hocking up to at least 6 feet. If you're interested, go to the Canaan Township Highway garage (off 50), east of Athens.

H1N1 Map Mania

Today we rush to fill the hysteria void by noting that students in the internet mapping class will be delighted to see the New York Times H1N1* interactive map coverage

Although created in Adobe Flash, it is very similar to some of the SVG/Javascript stuff you've done. Of particular note, the interactive map uses a point/buffer approach to locating cases of the H1N1* flu. This is instead of condemning large swaths of territory to the flu designation based on one or two cases (as noted by John Stewart on The Daily Show).

*I call it the H1N1 flu in keeping with newly announced White House policy. It seems that when everyone and his brother calls it the S* Flu, pork sales are impacted both domestically and internationally. The Obama Administration is taking the lead in calling the virus by its scientific name in hopes of ending the perception that pork and this flu are connected. Coincidentally, while there is most certainly a hog, bird & human connection because of the genetics of the virus, public health in Mexico has yet to find a hog with this particular strain.

Some Week

Some weeks, it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.
In case you haven't heard, Hocking College has, once again, downgraded the GIS/GPS program ending the associates degree and looking at developing a one year certificate. I got the news early this week.

Today was the more difficult day, because I didn't really relish telling my students who have put their full faith and credit in the program that because of forces outside their control, the program was being cut. The college has promised to continue the classes for another year and I hope that is true.

And to top it off, I got home to a basement with an inch and a half of water due to a blown hot water heater; and by blown, I mean a hole in the side due to a spike in water pressure, I suspect (the second time I've seen this in two months in two different water systems in my life). The word to the wise is make sure you have an in house pressure regulator if you rely on a rural water system.

I'm reminded of a joke my dad tells on occasion about Job. After all of the afflictions and crap that visit his life, he asks "why god?" and the reply comes back "there's just something that I don't like about you".

Kayaking, GIS & GPS combined

University of Tennessee bio-systems engineers have combined kayaking, GPS equipment and lasers to map stream conditions. The data will then be brought into a GIS to create planning maps.
It's definitely a cool combination of technology and kayaking. Is it the only way to do this- doubtful, but bio-systems engineers don't get paid to use pencils and paper!