The free world map goes internationalWhat do I mean by that headline? Haven’t OpenStreetMap always been international? Well, yes, but the main websites and most of its tools have been in English (and some in German only for some reason). But this is changing.
It is supposed to be the safestPlanes are supposed to be the safest mode of transport in the world, but how safe is it really? The frequency of air accidents seems to be higher now than it have been in a long time. The effect of all the safety features put into force in the 80’s and 90’s seems to have passed, either because planes are used much longer than the expected lifetime, or the trafic density in the air have become too high.
Putting the world on the MapFor some time I have taken part in a project called OpenStreetMap (OSM), which started in 2004 to make a street map of UK based on free content data and with a license that allows free copying. In the UK, Ordinance Survey are taking care of the national geographical survey, and their data is heavily copyrighted.
Tourists in Favela warA car with three Norwegian tourists entered the favela Nova Holandia in Rio de Janeiro this weekend. It was a mistake that lead them there and the incident turned ugly. Somebody in the favela opened fire on the three tourists, and one of them was hit in the shoulder and head, and needed medical treatment when they finally got out of there.
Congratulations USA: History in the making.USA have elected their first black president. Barak Obama won big on both popular vote and electorial candidates, and John McCain could do nothing less than congratulate his black opponent.
The hunt for the evil Pirate
There are no news that MPAA and RIAA are hunting for the “evil Pirate” who are stealing music and movies so that the artists don’t get paid. In a study done by a group of students at University of Washington, clear evidence shows that the search is done in a way that puts even equipment with no downloading properties such as network shared printers onto the list of copyright infridgers.
The Obama Effect, will Tila Tequila run?You can say a lot of Barak Obama. He is running for president as it seems he have the Democratic primaries secured over Hillary Clinton, and will become the first colored president if he manages to beat John McCain (R) in the race. But Obama is young, and many might call him too unexperienced for the job, but still a new wave of young enthusiastic candidates of other colored or ethnic backgrounds are eying a new hope, and aims for high positions.
A little too almost: Pico da BandeiraThe third tallest point in Brazil is higher than the highest point in Norway. I never got myself around to get to the top of the tallest ones in Norway. Last weekend, my wife and me with some friends set for Caparão National Park, on the border between Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais states in Brazil, the goal, Pico da Bandeira.
It’s not the Gates, it’s the barsTo pay so much attention to Bill Gates’ retirement is missing the point. What really matters is not Gates, nor Microsoft, but the unethical system of restrictions that Microsoft, like many other software companies, imposes on its customers.
Oil Production and PriceIt have been much attention in media lately of high and soaring fuel prices, as well as attention to oil production, conflicts in oil producing areas and consumption. But something have changed. It is no longer so that the demand and supply regulates the price.
