Open Source World Google Map

Open Source Activity Map

Red Hat have published the results of a collaborative research project with Georgia Tech to determine the level of use of open source software in different countries. Redhat have produced an interactive Google Map so that the data can be explored interactively.

You can click individual countries on the map to see their ranking and scores. The countries were ranked by overall activity. Europe ranks high in the global index, which lists France, Spain, and Germany as the countries with the highest level of open source activity. The United States came in ninth place.

Geico Gecko on the National Geographic Map

The National Geographic Channel has announced its new lineup (10 new series) along with some insight into its advertisers. One piqued my interest: the Geico (insurance company) gecko. He's a big hit here in the U.S. Why is this interesting to geospatial folks?

Geico is a corporate sponsor of the non-profit Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a presenting sponsor of NatGeo's Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr and Wild. In addition to Web content that features Barr and humans attempting to simulate the movements of a gecko, there's a Geico branded insert in the March issue of National Geographic magazine that includes a map of national zoos.

The last animal/mascot branding exercise I recall was from Trimble. At one event they tried to tie a bee's sense of direction to their GPS devices. They gave out foam bees on wires (very cool) but I'm not sure how many got the connection, outside of the fact that bees and Trimble's devices are yellow and black.

National Geographic Names Charles Regan as GM Maps

By Max Digital Media Newswire


National Geographic Ventures (NGV) has announced an expansion of duties for Charles Regan, vice president, National Geographic Maps, to include responsibilities as general manager of National Geographic Maps. Reporting to Paul Levine, NGV’s senior vice president of Corporate Strategy, Development, and Interactive Platforms Group, Regan has overseen the reorganization of the division and will seek to increase National Geographic Maps’ share in the outdoor recreation and adventure markets and expand its presence in the reference and education markets through new digital and print products and a broad, global distribution.

In addition to providing premier cartographic services to the National Geographic Society, the award-winning National Geographic Maps group is currently working on developing content and applications for the digital marketplace that can be accessed across multiple platforms, like the recently announced Ocean in Google Earth, including online, mobile and Portable Navigation Devices.

As part of a strategic reorganization, National Geographic Maps has been folded into NGV’s newly formed Interactive Platforms Group, which also includes National Geographic’s Mobile and Games businesses.

“Charlie’s proven capability in business and product development is a great asset to National Geographic Maps and to National Geographic Ventures and Global Media in general,” said Ted Prince, chief operating officer of National Geographic Ventures and executive vice president of operations for National Geographic Global Media. “Building on our rich cartographic history and reputation for quality products, Charlie and the Maps team will seek new opportunities to grow the National Geographic Maps brand worldwide, especially in the digital marketplace.”

“Charlie’s long experience in the digital maps and publishing industries will benefit National Geographic Maps as we continue to expand our digital and print offerings into new global markets and across a variety of platforms,” added Levine.

Prior to joining National Geographic in 2007 as vice president of Digital Maps, Regan spent 10 years with Maps.com, where he was responsible for operations, business development, creating strategic partnerships and leading the business strategy development team. Regan also worked previously for National Geographic in education outreach programs as Geography Education program analyst, manager of the Canadian Education Initiative and manager of Special Outreach Programs.

Review: National Geographic Map

Through various vacations, trips to visit family and short road trips, we’ve managed to cover a little ground over the last six years with my son. To that end, through photo albums, postcards and various mementos, we’ve kept track together of where our travels have taken us as a family. We’ve been on the lookout for a map that we could put in the playroom so we could mark off places that we’ve visited. Enter National Geographic Maps.

The GOOD: The maps’ colors are a nice antique tone and instantly brings parchment paper to mind, in a good way. In the corners of the world map, there are smaller maps that depict the vegetation, land use and population density. True to form of a National Geographic product, the map has an amazing attention to detail. It is generously sized at 46″ x 30″.

The BAD: Because there is so much detail on this map, we’re not able to put stars on the places that we’ve visited because it would cover up too much space on the map; we’ll use pushpins instead. The paper that the map is printed on tears easily, so if you’re planning on handling this frequently or giving it to a child, it’s worth the extra $12 to get the laminated version.
MONEY MATTERS: This map sells for a ridiculously reasonable $12.95, and is also available in enlarged and laminated options. It can be purchased directly from National Geographic.

KUDOS: This map was “the winner of the 2001 Premier Print Award from Printing Industries of America for unique ability to create visual masterpieces and the winner of the 2002 Best Reference Map from the American Congress on Surveying & Mapping.”

The MOM VERDICT

Cate says: As soon as my son saw me open the box and reveal the map inside, he grabbed it and headed downstairs to the playroom to find the perfect spot for it. Before hanging it on the wall, he spread out on the floor and pored over it until he could find New Jersey. It took him a few minutes, but he found it and was thrilled. He asked me to help him find a few of the other spots that we have visited and had fun seeing the distance between each one. Because of the rich antique tones used on the map, this would be equally at home in a boardroom or in an executive’s office, as well as your home. Two thumbs up from us.

Sarah says: This is a beautiful, classic map. I love the muted tones and antique look to it. And while I wish it was a little more durable, the price can’t be beat. It’s a great way to introduce kids - even young kids - to the expanse of the world that we live in. The only downside is that we live in a petite house so it was challenging to find a place to hang this map. Nonetheless, I love it.

National Geographic Maps & National Geographic Adventure Announce Second Annual Outdoor Geographic Awareness Awards

For Immediate Release
Cindy Beidel
(202) 862-5286
cbeidel@ngs.org

Evergreen, CO, February 11th, 2009 — National Geographic Maps, in collaboration with National Geographic Adventure magazine, is now accepting applications for the second annual The Outdoor Geographic Awareness (TOGA) Awards to identify and showcase outdoor retailers, manufacturers, nonprofit organizations and individuals who are finding new and creative ways to encourage outdoor participation, geographic awareness and environmental stewardship. TOGA Awards reflect National Geographic’s mission to inspire people to care about the planet.

Last year’s TOGA Award winners were Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) in the outdoor retailer category; Patagonia in the outdoor manufacturer category; The Conservation Alliance in the nonprofit category; and Sam Drevo of eNRG Kayaking in the individuals category.

TOGA Awards are evaluated and made based on the applicant’s overall contribution to increasing geographic awareness during the previous calendar year. Evaluating factors include the overall reach, effectiveness and creativity of a campaign, event or activity; the benefit to the outdoor industry; and how easily replicated a campaign may be so that others can build on it to increase its influence. Examples of geographic awareness programs include training in mapping, geography and navigation, or educational events, programs and materials related to a particular geographic location or to the environment and stewardship of specific lands.

Applications and nominations will be accepted online at www.natgeomaps.com/toga through Friday, May 29, 2009. Finalists will be selected by a panel of industry professionals and National Geographic staff. The awards will be presented on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at 4 p.m. at Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy.

About National Geographic Maps
National Geographic Maps was established as a division of the National Geographic Society in 1915 and has been producing maps for National Geographic magazine and other Society groups for more than 90 years. National Geographic Maps produces outdoor recreation mapping software, Trails Illustrated maps, wall maps, travel maps, globes and atlases. For more information, visit www.natgeomaps.com.

About National Geographic Adventure
National Geographic Adventure, winner of four National Magazine Awards, is the fastest-growing magazine in the outdoor category and the ultimate guide to the adventure lifestyle. Published 10 times a year, with a rate base of 625,000, National Geographic Adventure has 2.4 million readers. It is available by subscription (800-NGS-LINE) and on newsstands in the United States ($4.99) and Canada ($6.99). Its editorial mission supports National Geographic’s corporate global mission to inspire people to care about the planet. The magazine’s Web site is www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure.