Follow
Blog: Chris Harlow on ITSearch The Harlow Report Archives
After a three year legal battle, Santa Clara County finally provided a copy of its digital parcel map database to the California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) for $3.10, in compliance with California's Public Record Act (PRA). Decisions from both the California Superior Court and the California Court of Appeals clearly affirmed that public agencies must provide their geodata in accordance with the PRA (California Government Codes §6250-6259). The prior data price was $158,000.
“We have always believed that the public should have essentially free, unrestricted access to digital mapping data that were created by the government with public funds,” said Peter Scheer, Executive Director of CFAC “Not only does the public own the base map, but the public interest will be served by making it available to companies, individuals, nonprofits, journalists -- and even other government agencies.”
This story began some six years ago when Dennis Klein of Boundary Solutions, Inc., with the help of his then Assembly member, Joe Nation, successfully petitioned the California Attorney General’s Office to publish Opinion 04-1005PRA stating that it … “does not allow limitations on access to a public record based upon the purpose for which the record is being requested, if the record is otherwise subject to disclosure.” that rules that a parcel boundary is a public record.
Read full story at Boundary Solutions, Inc…
first published week of: 12/04/2023
NGII plans to implement a new method of State Space Representation to improve the accuracy of its positioning terminals, which are usually used in general location correction information services.
It is predicted that location information that is used in smartphones, drones and others will become more accurate in the future.
The National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) said Thursday that it will launch a satellite navigation-based positioning information service from the end of this year to expand its location-based service with State Space Representation, which was used for survey purposes, to general location-based services.
Location correction information is additional information that is used to improve accuracy on satellite measurements using GPS and other satellite navigation systems.
Since 2007, the NGII has provided free location correction information services via the Internet in real time.
The current method employed is the on atack replacement (OSR) method, which is used by more than 1 million people annually.
However, there is a limitation that requires the use of a measuring device, while a measurement is possible with an accuracy of 3 to 5cm.
In response, the NGII plans to implement a new method of State Space Representation to improve the accuracy of its positioning terminals, which are usually used in general location correction information services.
Read full story at The Korea Bizwire…
first published week of: 07/31/2023
Michael Macarilla and Carl Walter of ESRI talk about GIS and how it's keeping businesses and companies secure in these vulnerable times.
This year’s GSX (Global Security Exchange) saw a large number of companies meet up in Dallas, Texas to talk about global security trends, tactics, and the latest solutions, fostering a space for professionals to connect and collaborate. And in an era where businesses and communities are more vulnerable and threats are more multifaceted, the need for comprehensive threat management has never been more pressing. From natural disasters to reputational risks, companies must be equipped to identify and respond to a myriad of challenges. One of the major solutions for companies lies in the power of Geographic Information Systems, or GIS.
The power of location intelligence and GIS is revolutionizing the way we perceive and manage high level challenges. By intersecting asset data with potential threats, GIS provides a holistic view, enabling decision-makers to act swiftly and effectively. Moreover, the integration of public and private sectors through GIS fosters a collaborative approach to security, bridging gaps and enhancing information sharing. To delve deeper into this transformative approach, experts Michael Macarilla (Security Operations Account Executive) and (Director of Homeland & Corporate Security Solutions) from ESRI offer invaluable insights into the world of enterprise threat management and the pivotal role of GIS.
Read full story at MarketScale…
first published week of: 10/02/2023
Location-based companies in the United States in 2023 have grown exponentially over the last few years. These companies provide services ranging from transportation, delivery, and even healthcare.
One of the most popular location-based companies is Uber, which provides an on-demand ride-hailing service. Other companies such as Lyft, Postmates, and Instacart offer similar services.
In addition, companies like DoorDash provide food delivery services while companies like TaskRabbit offer task-based services. Healthcare companies are also using location-based services to help people access medical attention more quickly. Companies such as CareX provide online medical consultations, while others like Heal enable users to get on-demand doctor house calls.
Location-based companies are providing convenience and reliability to customers in a way that was not possible before by leveraging the power of technology. By 2023, these companies will continue to expand their services, making their presence felt in every corner of the US.
Read full story at Inventiva…
first published week of: 03/13/2023
From basic dimensions to more intriguing aspects, where do we get all these measurements from? Let's take a look at ten methods for measuring planet Earth.
Read full story at Interesting Engineering…
first published week of: 11/27/2023
In this post, I delve into various methods for predicting user location and their effectiveness while considering the importance of user privacy.
Determining a user's true location, even when behind a proxy (more on proxy piercing here ), plays a crucial role in fraud detection and prevention. For example, you may need to identify the real location due to:
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution or "magic hack" to reveal a user's true location, especially not with accuracy better than country level, combining multiple data points can significantly increase the likelihood of identifying their locatio or, at the very least, casting doubt on the authenticity of their claimed whereabouts.
What methods can developers implement to gather and analyze information that can help more accurately determine a user's true location, or at the very least provide an indication that the user is likely not in the country they claim to be?
Read full story at Security Boulevard…
first published week of: 05/08/2023