Geospatial Revolutions is an on-line project through Penn State media that explores the way geospatial information is changing the world. The third episode in the project, entitled "Serving and Protecting", focuses on using GIS in police departments, war zones, and diplomatic efforts.

  

 USPTO to License National Online Parcel-level Map
GeoConnexion
Mar. 17
The second questionable patent from the US Patent Office (USPTO) granted to Boundary Solutions, Inc. (BSI) of Mill Valley, Calif. The company also has a 2006 patent (http://bit.ly/gBjhaz) covering a similar, very vague geospatial concept. One begins to think that the USPTO doesn't fully grasp geospatial technology.

A good inventory highlighting some of the changes to the metadata tools now available at ArcGIS 10. This includes support for a larger collection of metadata standards.

 GIS Maps Location of County Employees for Emergency Response
Corey McKenna, Government Technology NewsIS Cafe
Mar. 17
Summary of new geospatial tool deployed in Miami-Dade County, Fla. locating staff resources in times of emergency events. The system is also used for planning emergency operations.

Wisconsin State Legislature Interactive Maps
State of Wisc.

Mar. 7
Shared link to State Legislature Website showing districts in the state. Timely information based on activities in the state. Allows users to interactively find out who their representatives are.

It's Tracking Your Every Move and You May Not Even Know
Noam Cohen, The New York Times

Mar. 26
A German politician went to court to find out exactly what his cellphone company, Deutsche Telekom, knew about his whereabouts. He learned that his provider logged his position over 35,000 times in a six month period, a result he wasn't expecting.

Quake Moved Japan Coast 8 Feet, Shifted Earth's Axis  
Ken Voigt, CNN
Mar. 12
The powerful earthquake that unleashed a devastating tsunami earlier this month appears to have moved the main island of Japan by 8 feet (2.4 meters) and shifted the Earth on its axis.

Cleanups In My Community Map
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mar. 29  
This website provides an interactive map that allows the users to obtain information on brownfield properties, hazardous waste, superfund and other types of hazardous materials sites. Note: site won't allow you to click and identify in Firefox, use IE.

GPS Systems that Save Gas
Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN Money
Mar. 4

Ordinarily, you want a GPS navigation system to show you the quickest way to get where you're going. But with gas prices over $4 a gallon in some cities you might rather know the way that uses the least gasoline.

 Atlas of Rural and Small Town America  
USDA

Mar. 18
The Economic Research Service of the USDA promotes the well-being of rural America through research and analysis to better understand the economic, demographic, environmental, and social forces affecting rural regions and communities.

  

Mar. 8 
Have you ever wondered what the longest city name in the United States is? How about the most common city name? You can learn the answers to those questions and more on the U.S. Board on Geographic Names FAQ!