Refractions Research is pleased to announce the 0.6 release of the PostGIS/PostgreSQL open-source spatial database. PostGIS/PostgreSQL is a spatial database much like ESRI's SDE and Oracles OracleSpatial, guided by the OpenGIS spatial database standards. PostGIS/PostgreSQL includes simple features as defined by the OpenGIS Consortium (OGC) and support for Well-Known Text and Well-Known Binary representations of GIS objects. The latest release increases OpenGIS standards support, upgrades Mapserver support, and increases the number of accessor functions dramatically.
ACD Systems International Inc. the digital imaging company, has announced the release of RoboEnhancer(TM), a powerful, yet affordable, batch image processing tool that seamlessly integrates with ACD's flagship product, ACDSee(TM), the world's most popular image management software. Offered as a plug-in to ACDSee, RoboEnhancer is designed specifically to manage large quantities of images quickly, easily and at an affordable price. Unlike other batch image processing software, the combination of RoboEnhancer and ACDSee provides an efficient, streamlined workflow for digital imaging professionals including graphic designers, photographers and editors. With ACDSee, users can search, view, and manage thousands of images at high-speed.
Beijing Has New First-Aid System
BEIJING, September 24 -- Since a new first-aid system was put into operation recently after a trial run of four months, Beijingers can now expect swift and professional medical treatment just by dialing the phone number "999".
The system, involving a total investment of 40 million yuan ( over 4.8 million U.S. dollars), has 12 computer platforms to receive emergency calls, and dispatch and track the 80 ambulances equipped with the global satellite positioning system (GPS) and wireless communication networks.
Fifteen first-aid stations, 18 key hospitals across the city and an inter-connected phone call network between the emergency treatment departments of public security, fire fighting and traffic management will work together. The time from receiving a call to dispatching an ambulance is within just two minutes.
Joining hands with the international SOS assistance center, the "999" system is also able to provide first-aid help, including flight transportation services, to foreign patients in Beijing.
Before the "999" system was put into use, Beijing citizens could only resort to the existing "120" emergency treatment system for medical aid.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
Ambitious Space Effort Challenges China In Next Five Years
China could launch 35 or more science and application satellites in the next five years. At the 2001 China Western Forum which was held in Xi'an in the central Shaanxi Province, Deputy General Manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) Hu Hongfu said that the company would design, develop and launch different types of satellites, totalling to 35, in this period.
The planned satellites will be used in direct-broadcasting, large capacity communications, meteorological and oceanographic observations, navigation and positioning, disaster mitigation, and seed breeding.
CASC is a State-owned very large scale high tech enterprise. The company offers five different series of satellites which include retrievable satellites, Dongfanghong comsats (DFH, Dongfanghong means "East Is Red"), Fengyun metsats (FY, Fengyun means "Wind and Cloud"), Shijian science exploration satellites (SJ, Shijian means "Practice"), and Ziyuan earth resource satellites (ZY, Ziyuan means "Resource").
CASC was also responsible for building and launching the twin prototype Beidou Navigation Test Satellites (BNTS, Beidou means "Northern Dipper", a reference to the celestial constellation).
Source:
www.spacedaily.com
ACD Systems International Inc. the digital imaging company, has announced the release of RoboEnhancer(TM), a powerful, yet affordable, batch image processing tool that seamlessly integrates with ACD's flagship product, ACDSee(TM), the world's most popular image management software. Offered as a plug-in to ACDSee, RoboEnhancer is designed specifically to manage large quantities of images quickly, easily and at an affordable price. Unlike other batch image processing software, the combination of RoboEnhancer and ACDSee provides an efficient, streamlined workflow for digital imaging professionals including graphic designers, photographers and editors. With ACDSee, users can search, view, and manage thousands of images at high-speed.
