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SICAD uses ECW

Earth Resource Mapping and SICAD GEOMATICS signed a contract to incorporate the ECW data format into SICAD technology in the near future. ECW is a wavelet based compression format enabling high compression ratios to be achieved without loss of image quality. For the user this means a huge reduction of memory requirements whilst still being able to utilise GB or TB of data. Hence the increasing use of ECW, particularly by suppliers and us-ers of comprehensive, high-resolution aerial and satellite photographs. Incorporating ECW means this data can now be directly read inside SICAD in con-junction with SICAD data for evaluations and analyses without having to be converted.

Visit : http://www.sicad.com/

Ontario, California to Implement Municipal Software's CityView® System

Municipal Software Corporation, a leading developer of local government business process automation software, announced the City of Ontario, California has purchased CityView® to automate their Code Enforcement and Complaint system. The total value of the contract is about $85,000 (US). The system will provide the city with the ability to fully automate its Code Enforcement and Complaint tracking functions and integrate them with their GIS.

Visit : www.municipalsoftware.com

Kamchatkan Volcanic Activity

The following Release was received by the Alaska Volcano Observatory via e-mail from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team). According to visual data from Kluchi, at 10:33 KDT on 19 July an ash plume rose 3000 m above the dome at Sheveluch volcano (5500 m, 8,000 ft ASL).At 19:00 KDT on July 14 continuous spasmodic volcanic tremor increased to 1.7x10-6 mps. At 20:20 KDT on July 14 spasmodic volcanic tremor amplitudes again increased to 2.0x 10-6 mps and from 3:00 KDT on July 16 up to 2.5 x10-6 mps. From 23:00 KDT (10:00 UTC) on July 15 volcanic tremor amplitudes had increased up to 4.0 x 10-6 mps. According to visual data from Kluchi, at 21:00 KDT (08:00 UTC) on 15 July a gas and steam plume rose 1500 m above the dome. AVHRR image n12.01196.05:03 (at 18:03 KDT on 15 July) reveals a 3 pixel thermal anomaly near the SW flank of Sheveluch. Maximum Band 3 temperature was 44.0 C within a background near 22 C. No associated ash was observed in AVHRR imagery.

Stadtwerke Dinslaken - Rapid migration to SICAD-UT

In June 2001 utility company Stadtwerke Dinslaken GmbH completed migration of data covering its gas and water networks on schedule. In March 2001 Dinslaken had asked partner companies TESSAG Technische Systeme & Services AG and SICAD GEOMATICS to roll SICAD-UT out and to migrate the network data for these two utility sectors. An attempt had previously been made to migrate network data to a GE Smallworld system. A crucial factor in the decision to opt for SICAD-UT was Stadtwerke Dinslaken’s need to be able to securely migrate its databases, which represent a considerable invest-ment in personnel and financial resources. Following the successful activities in the fields of gas and water, this year will also see digital data on the power network covering over 70,000 residents in the com-pany’s supply area being input for the first time. Once all the data has been captured, SICAD-UT and its various specialist applica-tions will provide Dinslaken with an integrated platform which can be used for cross-sector planning, documentation and management of all the utility networks.

Visit : http://www.sicad.com

SPOT Image Clients “Get Real” With Simulations

SPOT Image Corporation provides realistic visual content to the defense and civilian simulation/visualization programs that comprise a $12 Billion annual modeling and simulation industry. By combining satellite imagery and terrain elevation databases, SPOT creates stunning true-color 3D terrain visualizations for any location on Earth for flight training, battlefield management, mission rehearsal, research, gaming and other activities.SPOT uses its 8 million-scene archive of global images to create simulations, though customers often request satellite programming to capture the latest imagery for very current portrayals. Terrain visualization databases can be updated on a regular basis (monthly/annually) depending on client requirements. Simulation databases produced today with 10 meter resolution, can be updated with 5m and 2.5m resolution with the launch of SPOT 5 in early 2002.

Visit : http://www.spot.com/spot-us.htm

The Location Privacy Bill

U.S. Senator John Edwards, a North Carolina Democrat, introduced the Location Privacy Protection Act last week. The bill requires companies that provide wireless location-based services (traffic, entertainment, friend-finders, etc.) to notify users when they collect information about their location. Sale of collected personal information will require the located person's consent as well.The idea is to protect personal information while not interrupting emergency response. One of the senator's aides noted that police would still need a warrant to access the data to track crimes.

PCI Geomatics Offers New Training Courses to Geomatica Customers

PCI Geomatics (www.pcigeomatics.com) is now offering customers a selection of specialized training courses that revolve around their new Geomatica product. These training courses are available from PCI Geomatics offices around the world. Arrangements can also be made for a professional trainer to be sent directly to the customer’s location. The three new courses available are titled "Introduction to Geomatica", "EASI/PACE to Geomatica", and "Geomatica OrthoEngine Basics".

Visit : http://www.pcigeomatics.com/education/education.html

Asia News

Flood devastation sweeps Asia

Floods and landslides have been ravaging South Korea, India and China, killing hundreds of people and forcing millions to flee their homes. In South Korea floods have hit Seoul and surrounding areas since the weekend, causing 62 deaths. According to local media about one third of those killed were electrocuted while walking by streetlamps during the rainy weekend.

Flood-hit Orissa fears worse to come

People living in the eastern Indian state of Orissa are bracing for more floods as monsoon rains continue to batter the region. Floods triggered by unusually heavy rains have hit the state for the last week, killing at least 32 people and forcing the evacuation of half a million people. The floods may get considerably worse in a few hours' time