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Cross-Greenland Ski Trip Tracked with Google Maps

Posted by timothy on from the quick-before-it-melts dept.

notmartinfrobisher writes "Around Guardian Mobility offices we have been excited to support an exploratory ski trip across Greenland. Anne Marte Pensgaard is skiing across Greenland with only a friend and some husky dogs for company. She has been outfitted with one of our Tracer units which has a GPS receiver and send data to our backoffice through Globalstars Low-earth orbit satellite network. We're tracking her progress using Google Maps and using MyGMaps. to map multiple points onto Google Map's satellite imagery. When asked about her trip Anne Marte wrote: "Our expedition consist of two phases. This year we (Marit and myself and 12 greenland huskies) are going to find a passage into the inland ice (the icecap itself) where we will be able to bring all the dogs and our sledges up on the ice. We will start in Ilulissat on the west coast and then travel north.(around 70degrees N) How far north we will go this year depends on the conditions. Our main expedition will be a more than 1000 km trip from Ilulissat to Qaanaq (Thule Air Base) in the north, either in 2006 or in 2007." We provided her with a Tracer unit set up to wake up every 30 minutes but to transmit only when she has moved at least 200m, this way she won't have to worry about turning off the unit when she's camping at night. We'll be updating you on this exciting trip by posting maps of her current location every couple of days. Maps and satellite imagery are courtesy Google Maps."

101 comments

  1. wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the implications of such are fabulous...

  2. Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I had to use Google Maps to make it through that paragraph.

  3. Who cares.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Really... nothing to see here... hike along

    1. Re:Who cares.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you are so, so wrong. So mindlessly, cluelessly wrong.

      google maps is going to be incredibly big.

      sites like mygmaps are going to get filthy rich.

      google maps all by itself is likely to create another mini-boom. It has already had a large impact on the web development landscape, just by virtue of how it uses xmlhttprequest.

      if ever in the last couple years there was net news to pay attention to, google maps and its ripple effects are it.

  4. Globalstar's coverage near the poles? by _merlin · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I thought I read somewhere that because of the pitch of the GlobalStar satellites' orbits (they aren't quite polar), you get poor coverage near the poles. Or is this ski trip far enough from the pole to get good coverage.

    1. Re:Globalstar's coverage near the poles? by tylernt · · Score: 4, Informative

      You appear to be correct, from the very bottom of this page: http://www.skycallcommunications.com/Coverage.html

      --
      DRM 'manages access' in the same way that a prison 'manages freedom'
    2. Re:Globalstar's coverage near the poles? by GileadGreene · · Score: 3, Informative
      Not only is the Globalstar constellation design such that polar coverage is essentially non-existent (a Walker constellation IIRC), the service itself is only supported over major population areas (partly because that's where they thought their market was, and, IIRC, partly because they rely on ground-based relay stations). Despite the name, Globalstar really isn't global.

      Your bets bet for truly global coverage is Iridium. It uses a streets-of-coverage style constellation that covers the polar areas, and uses inter-satellite links to relay calls so the service is available globally.

    3. Re:Globalstar's coverage near the poles? by JJ · · Score: 1

      On the other hand, the GPS system works quite effectively in both the Arctic and Antarctic (or at least their oceans.)

      Gotta love the US military for spending money like that.

      --
      So long and thanks for all the fish . . . !!!
    4. Re:Globalstar's coverage near the poles? by tylernt · · Score: 1

      "Gotta love the US military for spending money like that."

      Well, you could hardly call it a "Global" Positioning System if it wasn't really global. ;)

      --
      DRM 'manages access' in the same way that a prison 'manages freedom'
    5. Re:Globalstar's coverage near the poles? by JJ · · Score: 1

      As opposed to GlobalStar?

      --
      So long and thanks for all the fish . . . !!!
    6. Re:Globalstar's coverage near the poles? by tylernt · · Score: 1

      "As opposed to GlobalStar?"

      Touche.

      --
      DRM 'manages access' in the same way that a prison 'manages freedom'
  5. Carnegie Mellon... or Lance Armstrong by AdityaG · · Score: 1

    They should do this with those AI driven cars carnegie mellon raced a year or two ago (hope they do that again) or stick one of these on Lance Armstrong.

  6. Blatant Advertising by fourtyfive · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Gee that wasnt blatant advertisement at all. I mean Come on the article is on the same page as the company that sells the freakin GPS unit.

    1. Re:Blatant Advertising by uspsguy · · Score: 1

      Ad or not, it is a unique and interesting application of available off-the-shelf technology. I think it is interesting - but I used to race huskys too.

      --
      Profanity - The sign of a small mind trying to express itself.
    2. Re:Blatant Advertising by XorNand · · Score: 4, Interesting

      What's more, looks like the submitter created a /. account just to submit this story. ::rolls eyes::

      The Slashdot helped cement the term "astroturfing" in the public vernacular back in the late 90's--the irony is so sharp it almost hurts. Just another example of how media placement has become the new norm on the 'net, since that whole advertising experiment didn't quite work out as expected.

      --
      Entrepreneur : (noun), French for "unemployed"
    3. Re:Blatant Advertising by aleatory_story · · Score: 1

      The above post is obviously a marketer attempting thwart your claim and spin it positively! "I used to race huskys too. You want fries with that GPS unit?"

      --
      Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this: that you are dreadfully like other people. - James Russell Lowell
    4. Re:Blatant Advertising by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      and from my experience with GPS it will suck.

      once your reciever has a fix everything is great and wonderful. and unless the GPS in the device is a high end one like found in the magellan gold/platinum/marine (and then it reduces fix time to only 2 minutes) it will take it almost 5 minutes to get a fix right after it wakes up. 5 odd minutes of operation every 30 minutes will suck down batteries fast. Coupled with trying to use a sattelite phone service that has no coverage in polar areas and we are looking at a non working "project" I really hope that the team will take real safety equipment (and a real Sat phone that has polar coverage) along and not rely on this device that has a really good chance of not working after a few days if at all.

      I fould that with GPS tracking and transmitting the data to a central location that adding the extra battery power to keep the GPS reciever on is more than worth while. Our first balloon release did the "wake up, get fix, transmit, sleep" dance. we were ableto get 12% of the location fixes, some were only 2D because it decided to transmit after the 5 minute timeout of waiting for a fix and most were "no fix" with a high gain patch antenna pointing at the sky. Changing to a larger payload of 3 batteries we left the gps on and were able to recieve 2 day's worth of data with a 75% success rate none of the recieved packets were missing GPS data.

      (College and Ham radio = fun with science!)

      No we were not using "consumer" GPS modules. we were using the stuff donate to us by one of the largest GPS recieved makes that was geared for low power consumption and scientific work. High gain+ high reliability + 30mah draw...

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    5. Re:Blatant Advertising by cdunworth · · Score: 4, Informative

      Well, as long as we're just advertising in this thread....why not come by and try Earthcomber! (I'm one of the engineers there...)

      We've built a free (as in beer) location finding utility with integrated mapping which runs on the PalmOS. Lets you mark spots out in the field (with or without GPS), then push them back to the mothership where you can share them with location-based interest groups in the Earthcomber Community area (think Yahoo Groups with maps). It's an early version, so we've got lots of issues (coverage area is US-only right now, our maps aren't the prettiest, the desired features list is a mile long, etc.).

      And technically, you don't even need a Palm to use the interest groups -- we let you mark and view spots right on the web. But the Palm makes it cooler. You could use this to keep a travel log, go geocaching, start a group for great photography spots -- whatever you want. Come on by and let us know what you think. We'd love to get feedback from tech savvy users.

      Regards,
      -Chris

  7. and i thought i was a misanthrope by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    nothing like hanging out on the ice with a pack of dogs for two years or so.

  8. Someone should suggest that by Mr+Ambersand · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...to the president of Opera before he makes his big swim.

    --
    "Your admirers in the street
    Got to hoot and stamp their feet
    in the heat from your physique" -King Crimson
    1. Re:Someone should suggest that by fourtyfive · · Score: 4, Funny

      I guess you didnt hear about this catastrophe... Dont ya hate it when the boat pops? Curiously it looks as if they were very close to shore... Like they hadn't left yet ;)

  9. This reminds me of... by Husgaard · · Score: 1
    ...when our crown prince Prince Frederik took a 2,800 kilometres journey that lasted four months in 2000.

    In case you don't know, Greenland is danish territory, and Prince Frederik is the heir to the danish throne.

    1. Re:This reminds me of... by JJ · · Score: 1

      Now that's bad news on two seperate fronts. I'll remind the next Dane who complains to me about how bad Americans treat native Americans that they've yet to "unoppress" (or is that "UN oppress"?) their own aboriginal inhabitants.

      --
      So long and thanks for all the fish . . . !!!
    2. Re:This reminds me of... by Husgaard · · Score: 1
      I'll remind the next Dane who complains to me about how bad Americans treat native Americans that they've yet to "unoppress" (or is that "UN oppress"?) their own aboriginal inhabitants.
      I would not use that argument on somebody who knows about the oppression of the native population in Greenland. It will backfire.

      In fact one of the worst atrocities against the native population in Greenland was done after pressure from the US: In 1953 the native population was forced to relocate from Thule so that the US could build their radar station there. Despite an artic climate and the promise that new houses would be ready for them at their new location, they had to live in thin tents for almost half a year before they were given cheap wooden houses.

      I'll tell you how we "oppress" the native population in Greenland:

      • They are all full danish citicens with voting rights to our national parliament.
      • They have an extensive home rule, and can decide almost all their local policy for themselves. Foreign policy is one of the few exceptions.
      • To ensure that they have a say in the few limits to their hole rule they are ensured 2 out of 179 seats in the danish parliament. This despite the fact that they only amount to 0.9 percent of the danish population.
      • When they decided not to be members of the EU in 1985, we respected that. Today Greenland is not a part of the EU although the rest of Denmark is.
      • To help them develop their infrastructure (expensive on the world's largest island with a sparse population) we each year give them what amounts to about US$10,000 per person in Greenland. For example this gives them affordable internet access, and today about 35 percent have internet access.
      When I say "they" above, I mean all people living in Greenland. We do not make a difference between the native population and other people in Greenland, so it is hard to find statistics specifically on the native population. But I can tell you that we have not really invaded Greenland: In 1999 there were 56.087 persons living in Greenland, and only 6.806 were not born on Greenland.

      Don't underestimate the people in Greenland, they are good and capable people who know what they want and how to achieve it. Think twice before saying they are oppressed.

  10. Nice fuckin' slashvertisement, Timmy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Holy shit, you're not even _trying_ to disguise these fuckin' things anymore, are ya? When did this turn into fuckin' "Ads for nerds, press releases that matter" anyhow?

    In conclusion, a hearty fuck you, and I hope you got a decent price for whatever was left of your journalistic integrity.

    1. Re:Nice fuckin' slashvertisement, Timmy! by prockcore · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Isn't pretty much everything posted to slashdot an advertisement?

      The latest gadgets, software, etc.

      The whole point of slashdot is to link to *other* people's sites. Does it matter if the owner of the site submitted it?

      Whenever we run a story that might interest the slashdot audience, we submit it. Whenever we run a strange or bizarre story, we submit it to fark.

      When linus posted his announcement on Linux 11 years ago, was he shamelessly exploiting newsgroups to advertise his project?

    2. Re:Nice fuckin' slashvertisement, Timmy! by Basehart · · Score: 1

      Look around - you're living in an ad :-)

  11. Dirty secret by Maskirovka · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Anne Marte Pensgaard is skiing across Greenland with only a friend and some husky dogs for company.

    Two words:
    Emergency Rations

    1. Re:Dirty secret by flyingsquid · · Score: 3, Informative
      Worked for Roald Amundsen. He gets criticized for that, but his plan to eat half his dogs meant his men and the other half of the dogs got back alive. Scott, on the other hand, killed his men because he didn't know what he was doing.

      _Last Place on Earth_ tells the story (it's one of the best nonfiction books I've ever read). While it's pretty clear that the author has an axe to grind- he's very much an admirer of Amundsen and a detractor of Scott- from the facts he marshals, he makes a pretty strong case. Amundsen did everything possible to ensure victory; he had basically won before he even left camp. Scott did virtually everything he possibly could to ensure total failure. The guy even brought ponies to Antarctica. Thing is... ponies eat grass. And as you may have noticed, there's not a lot of that in Antarctica. Amundsen, on the other hand, knew what he was doing, because he learned from the world experts in arctic travel- the Eskimos.

    2. Re:Dirty secret by kalidasa · · Score: 1

      Pierre Berton makes pretty much the same case regarding Arctic explorers in The Arctic Grail - those who studied the way the Inuit lived survived; those who wore silk shirts and took horses into the Arctic died.

    3. Re:Dirty secret by siilarsi · · Score: 1
      >Two words:
      >Emergency Rations

      That's what the husky dogs are there for, no really.

    4. Re:Dirty secret by thagrol · · Score: 1

      Clearly you share the author's bias. It's a gross oversimplification to say that "Scott ... killed his men because he didn't know what he was doing". The truth us much more complicated than that. Without getting into a full defense of Scott, something I don't want to do as I don't subscribe to either of the two main camps (bungler or hero) and because it's off topic, Scott made what he though were the right decisons, though not all of them turned out to be so. Scott's inexperience was just one of many factors. As for taking ponies, well when it gets down to the emergency rations stage, there's more meat on a pony than there is on a dog. And yes there isn;t much grass in antartica, so a lot of fodder was taken. I suggest you read one or more less biased accounts and perhaps the published (but sadly edited) diary of Captian Scott.

    5. Re:Dirty secret by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What do dogs eat? Snow?

    6. Re:Dirty secret by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      smaller dogs.

  12. Speeding by mollyhackit · · Score: 3, Funny

    I hope those skis aren't rentals, they could issue her a ticket based on this data.

  13. Real time? by RPI+Geek · · Score: 1

    I didn't RTFA, but this is reminiscent of a project that I've seen on mp3car.com recently. One of the main developers over there made a program that constantly updates his web server which gives anyone who's interested a real-time google map of the area that they are in.

    At the moment, the demo page even has a little speedometer set up, but it's rigged so that it shows random speeds (because it's late and the guy's car isn't actually moving and they just got it working) :)

    --

    - "Nobody came out that night, not one was ever seen. But Old Man Stauf is waiting there, crazy sick and mean!"
    1. Re:Real time? by Rorschach1 · · Score: 1
      I just spoke with some Google guys the other day, and it sounds like they have some plans in the works to offer an API for integration with Google Maps. They were impressed with the hacking that's been done on it already.

      I've got my own open source tracker project that uses the ham radio APRS system and I'd love to be able to point users to a Google Maps enabled site, rather than the fairly inadequate sites that are out there now.

    2. Re:Real time? by WJMoore · · Score: 1

      Any chance of a link to that mp3car article? I had a quick look but couldn't find it.

    3. Re:Real time? by RPI+Geek · · Score: 1

      here

      --

      - "Nobody came out that night, not one was ever seen. But Old Man Stauf is waiting there, crazy sick and mean!"
    4. Re:Real time? by lxw56 · · Score: 1

      Meh. The local 911 dispatch center has had that for cops for several years.

    5. Re:Real time? by RPI+Geek · · Score: 1

      They've had it integrated with Google maps for several years???? Where do you live???

      --

      - "Nobody came out that night, not one was ever seen. But Old Man Stauf is waiting there, crazy sick and mean!"
    6. Re:Real time? by lxw56 · · Score: 1

      Not Google maps. They have some sort of map integrated with their computer-aided dispatching (CAD) system.

      Flint, Michigan, for your reference, but I expect a lot of other municipalities have the same system.

  14. Tracking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    While this IS increadibly cool to do, and helps ensure arrival, etc..... But what happens when something like this becomes mainstream? Parents logging into thier gmail account and clicking "maps", and boom, there kids last known locations pops up on the screen. Updated from the cell phone, or something you can hide in a bag or something....

    1. Re:Tracking by Hork_Monkey · · Score: 2, Interesting

      So kids get smarter about messing around...

      It's been happening for generations.

      This time though, the tinfoil hat might come in useful.

    2. Re:Tracking by dos_dude · · Score: 0

      or something you can hide in a bag or something

      Like a RFID chip? Well, the future is already here

    3. Re:Tracking by chris+mazuc · · Score: 1

      They already have phones that track you.

      --
      E pluribus unum
  15. Don't mod parent down by Evanisincontrol · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Though his choice of words were a little extreme, I agree with what he's saying. Has anyone else noticed the recent increase of articlesthat are one step away from being paid advertisements? I think he's making a good point. I don't want to see /. turn into a subliminal messaging system.

  16. where's the map to track her with? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I see the links for the gps, but no links to anything actually showing her location, what the hell is going on? if your gonna spam us, at least give us something a bit interesting to click on.

  17. A giant leap for mankind by LastNickAvailable · · Score: 2, Funny

    Whow they used points on a map to track their progress ... What a mind blowing achievement!

    I'm sorry but I can't find anything remotely interresting about this article.

    1. Re:A giant leap for mankind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sorry we can't find anything remotely interesting about your post.

  18. What reason for the trip again? by switcha · · Score: 4, Interesting
    we have been excited to support an exploratory ski trip across Greenland ... onto Google Map's satellite imagery.

    Maybe I'm a numbskull, but with Google Maps, I've done a full exploratory trip around my neighborhood; sidewalks, backyards, the whole shebang. Why not just call this out as a "publicity stunt" instead of calling it "exploring" the same snow and ice you can look at on a computer in front of a cozy fire with a hot chocolate?

    --
    You know what? ... A little club soda *did* get that out!
    1. Re:What reason for the trip again? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Maybe I'm a numbskull, but with Google Maps, I've done a full exploratory trip around my neighborhood; sidewalks, backyards, the whole shebang.
      Some of us do that type of exploration on a daily basis- the Sun is hard to deal with at first, but we get used to it. Sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended, and you'll see it can actually be fun to navigate in meat-space!
    2. Re:What reason for the trip again? by switcha · · Score: 1
      Oh mighty explorer of great excursionary experience,
      I too venture into the wilds with a reasonable regularity. I however don't issues press releases and track my progress online.

      Couching this as an exploratory trip is horseshit and you know it. There's likely precious little unexplored area in the path of this "trip".

      --
      You know what? ... A little club soda *did* get that out!
  19. Tracking Daughters by tgrigsby · · Score: 3, Funny

    After reading that article, I turned to my daughter and solemnly informed her that before she can date, I will not only make sure her car as OnStar, but I will have one of these handy dandy GPS units surgically implanted in her hip. Then I can track her on Google maps. She asked, why both? Because the car might be where she says she's going to go, but her butt might be at the beach party I told her she couldn't attend. Better safe than sorry.

    --
    *** *** You're just jealous 'cause the voices talk to me... ***
    1. Re:Tracking Daughters by Zarquon · · Score: 1

      Ah hah.. now we have figured out why all the people in the future wear metallic clothing.. it's to block the signal to the GPS antennas!

      --
      "'Tis great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults, greater to tell him his." --Poor Richard's Almanac
    2. Re:Tracking Daughters by bigmouth_strikes · · Score: 1

      Funny how privacy issues and personal liberties doesn't apply when dealing with your own kids... :)

      --
      Oh, I can't help quoting you because everything that you said rings true
    3. Re:Tracking Daughters by chill · · Score: 1

      Funny how privacy issues and personal liberties doesn't apply when dealing with your own kids... :)

      The only privacy and personal issues I seriously care about are MINE. Everyone else can fend for themselves.

      As far as kids go, the words "you're going to be a grandpa" overrule any privacy/personal liberties they may whine about!

      -Charles

      --
      Learning HOW to think is more important than learning WHAT to think.
    4. Re:Tracking Daughters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is exactly how the US gov is reasoning. Hence there is no privacy for the citizens.

    5. Re:Tracking Daughters by putaro · · Score: 1

      My kids will get all of the personal liberty and privacy they want when I am no longer responsible for their behavior (that is, after they turn 18).

    6. Re:Tracking Daughters by Motherfucking+Shit · · Score: 3, Funny
      I will not only make sure her car as OnStar, but I will have one of these handy dandy GPS units surgically implanted in her hip. Then I can track her on Google maps.
      So can I, so I say go for it... :)
      --
      "BSD: Free as in speech. Linux: Free as in beer. Windows 10: Free as in herpes." --Man On Pink Corner in #52607549.
    7. Re:Tracking Daughters by DaneelGiskard · · Score: 2, Funny

      Good idea. And by having it implanted in her hip you can also extrapolate what she is doing, by monitoring her hips movement. Hell, you can even call her and point out that based on the speed of her hip's movement she should have had an orgasm by now.

      That should definitely give her a lesson ;-)

      Thank you.

    8. Re:Tracking Daughters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How about tracking the "eploratory" trip her boyfriend's hands will be making? I'd say slap a GPS or two on that sucker.

    9. Re:Tracking Daughters by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You don't have daughter(s), do you.....

  20. Re:This reminds me of... Mark Thatcher by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Mark Thatcher is probably best remembered for getting lost in the Saharan desert for a week while his mother Margaret (Thatcher) was running the country.

    Bet Mark wishes he had something like this ;-)

  21. This is ALSO very impressive... by i_want_you_to_throw_ · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This is my friend's site (also in the .sig). He begins an around the world bike trip in July for a documentary and he has built one hell of a mapping routine for his site.

    He's using NASA's data and Perl.

  22. Google's coverage near the poles? by m4c+north · · Score: 1

    Am I the only one who can't find Greenland at maps.google.com? I'm pretty sure the last time I saw Greenland it was between Canada and the UK. Does mygmaps.com let you make maps about places not in maps.google.com? Is Google using this expedition to map Greenland?

    --
    Who's your user, program?
    1. Re:Google's coverage near the poles? by thatnerdguy · · Score: 1

      try here.
      Seems they won't show it in regular map mode (guess not many roads) but the satellite picture is there (not hi-res obviously)

      --
      I saw the Sign, and it opened up my eyes
    2. Re:Google's coverage near the poles? by m4c+north · · Score: 1

      Nice! Thanks. I wonder if they'll sort out the projection distortion later on...

      --
      Who's your user, program?
  23. Qaanaaq = TAB? by qabi · · Score: 2, Informative

    ... from Ilulissat to Qaanaq (Thule Air Base) in the north ...

    Qaanaaq isn't Thule Air Base, it's 180 km. away.

    Thule Air Base is also called Pituffik.

    Impressive area though. I wish these people the best of luck with their trip. It looks like they'll need it...

    -qabi

  24. This should make it really easy... by dos_dude · · Score: 1, Funny

    ... to find and recover the body.

  25. mounting the tracer on her by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    # Option 1: Magnetic mounts available for secure yet easily removable mounting
    # Option 2: Metal bracket available for semi-permanent mounting *

    Option 2 sounds pretty painful.

  26. Live tracking by Lotharjade · · Score: 1

    I wonder when Google will just go full out and create free satelite tracking software. You can look at it from the Tin-foil hat view or the Silver Lining view. From the good point of view, we are seeing situations were people or groups would find it VERY cool to be tracked live via satelites. Defining the legality would be a pain, but consider going on a camping trip and having family members being able to check on you at any time to see you are all right, or expeditions like this one have people to track their progress LIVE. An interesting concept to say the least...

    --
    Party at O'zorgnax's Pub! Buy me a Slurmtini aye?
    1. Re:Live tracking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ... check on you at any time to see you are all right

      ... check to see the progress of the bear that just ate you

    2. Re:Live tracking by Lotharjade · · Score: 1

      Sadly, I suspect that may be true.
      Of course at some point if live tracking was a true option, we could keep track of where all the bears are as well. Have a satelite alarm set for when a bear gets within a hundred feet of you.

      --
      Party at O'zorgnax's Pub! Buy me a Slurmtini aye?
  27. Left Hand of Darkness by jaques · · Score: 1

    This immediately reminded me of Genly Ai and Estraven's epic trip across the ice field of Gethen. Damnit, I really liked that book :)

    --
    Jaques
  28. MyGMaps by peebeejay · · Score: 1

    Anyone else click on the link and try to set up an account? I mean, this is waaaaaay more exclusive than a gmail account was last year. It's still in alpha and to my knowledge has not been mentioned on /. before. Hey google, let me have my account! Not that I'll do anything useful with it or anything...

    1. Re:MyGMaps by follower-fillet · · Score: 2, Informative

      More accounts are now available.

      --Phil. (myGmaps.com developer)

      Note: myGmaps is not a Google service.

  29. Opensource vehicle tracker by nmg196 · · Score: 1

    I've always thought it must be a fairly easy task to couple a GPS with a cell phone to produce a vehicle tracker that you can embed in your car. Since all you're really doing is forwarding one serial port to another (with a bit of fiddling in the middle) this could probably be done via a VERY basic computer (eg a PIC of some sort). I dont' really have the time or expertise to do this myself, but I'd love to know if anyone has posted plans or has made their own vehicle tracker and is willing to tell the world how they did it.

    Currently in the UK, these devices are very expensive and also have expensive annual subscriptions.

    1. Re:Opensource vehicle tracker by masterofsw · · Score: 1

      This has been done for years via APRS. http://www.aprs.net/ http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/aprs.html It would be much nicer if there was a Google Maps interface for this.

  30. yo dog by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you not on that greenland trip with those buff naked chicks?

    no man, guess I'm not thick enough for the job.

    "only a friend and some husky dogs"

  31. What's next... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I imagine...maybe a girl...on an imaginary motorcycle...being google mapped as she travels thru Chernobyl.

  32. Distortion at high latitudes by kbmccarty · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Greenland is horribly distorted on the satellite images (it doesn't exist in the normal map view) due to the map projection used. Which brings up a pet peeve of mine -- why don't any of the online map companies convert to the most appropriate map projection for any given region? This shouldn't be too hard. It's very annoying to see the huge horizontal stretching distortions in maps of Alaska and Canada.

    --
    - Kevin B. McCarty
    1. Re:Distortion at high latitudes by zippthorne · · Score: 1

      Why do they convert to a global projection at all? shouldn't the raw images be sufficient to describe the terrain directly below the satellite from the pov of directly above that terrain? If anything, they should be using a spherical projection since it's unlikely there will be significant curvature in the small portion you would be looking at at any time.

      --
      Can you be Even More Awesome?!
  33. GoogleMap Link by s-orbital · · Score: 1

    Here's a closeup on that airstrip: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=67.000122,-50.72507 9&spn=0.093384,0.159130&t=k&hl=en

    --
    Patent: from Latin patere, to be open
  34. Re:Why Greenland? by Danathar · · Score: 1

    I'm NOT DISSING GREENLAND! It's just there's nothing written as to WHY they decided to ski there!

    Geeze...modded a TROLL just for asking for a little information on the GOOD parts of Greenland that I'm unaware of..

  35. Scale? by slim · · Score: 1

    It really irritates me that there is no scale indicated on Google Maps.

    On less populated parts of the US, it's all but impossible to guage the distance between features.

  36. Also: not new by elgatozorbas · · Score: 1

    Apart from possible advertising this is not new at all. Radio amateurs (yep, those again) have been doing this for years, and it is called APRS (automatic packet reporting system). At regular intervals or at the end of each voice transmission, a packet is sent to a special station collecting the data from all users and posting it on the web. Position should be supplied manually (boring) or with GPS.

  37. Hey Gaurdian please sponsor my Maui tour! by wsanders · · Score: 1

    I can go to Maui next month, will you sponsor my trip?

    --
    Give a man a fish and you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and he'll say "WHERE'S MY FISH, YOU IDIOT?"
  38. Google maps lets you hike! by BorgCopyeditor · · Score: 1
    This reminds me of an old joke:

    Two guys are bumming around with almost no money and no obvious prospects for entertaining themselves. A says: "How much money do we have?" B: "Five bucks." A: "Give it to me, I'll go to the store, and see if I can't find something fun--anything--for us to do." B: "Alright." A goes to the store, and comes back twenty minutes later, in an obvious state of happy agitation. B says: "What did you get?" A says: "We are so set, dude. I got a box of tampons!" B blinks his eyes a few times and finally manages a deadpan question: "What can we do with those?" A starts reading from the side of the box and says: "Look, it says we can do all sorts of things: we can play tennis, we can go swimming, go for a run...."

    --
    Shop as usual. And avoid panic buying.
  39. Paul's Submarine in the flesh! by ted · · Score: 1

    I really didn't expect to see such a graphic proof of Paul Graham's article so quickly.

    http://www.paulgraham.com/submarine.html
    http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/21/195321 4