In+ersec+ion for Spatial People

We informed you a few times already about the upcoming FOSS4G-NA 2013 conference in Minneapolis in May 22-24, what's new is Slashgeo is going to be a proud media partner of the event!

Reminder: "FOSS4G brings together public and private-sector stakeholders, innovators and developers who are at the forefront of free and open source software for geospatial applications. FOSS4G-NA 2013 will offer a broad program to discuss and build tools to help solve some of the world’s most pressing problems and business needs. FOSS4G-NA 2013 follows on the success of the 2012 conference held in Washington, DC.  This regional event complements the larger FOSS4G International Conference, the leading global conference organized by OSGeo focusing on Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial."

Thanks to Cube Cities for their major donation to Slashgeo.org, making it to the 6th spot of our top donors list (right-hand side column). Thanks Cube Cities!

From the CubeCities.com website: "Cube Cities allows you to search for properties like never before. Fly over any city, see everything you’re looking for at once, and with a click, view listings inside and out. Welcome to a world where business owners anywhere can find the perfect property across the globe in record time. Building owners and managers can add listings, connect to new clients, and create “magic carpet ride” 3D Tours. Brokers can present their properties in the best light, allowing prospective clients to access visual market analysis, as well as detailed building, floor and suite level information."

I also used this opportunity to update our Open Budget. Slashgeo.org is managed by a registered non-profit organization and we've always been fond of transparency.

I am extremely happy to report that Effigis Geo Solutions gave a major donation to Slashgeo.org. This propels them to the third spot of our Top Slashgeo Donors' list (right-hand side column) and will help pay for the hosting bills. Thank you Effigis! There are several ways to contribute to Slashgeo.org.

About Effigis: "Recognized as a leader in the geomatics sector, Effigis (formerly VIASAT GeoTechnologies [in Canada], VGI Solutions in the US) has been providing innovative geospatial solutions since 1991. Earth Observation services, infrastructure inventory, telecommunications network monitoring, GNSS software, geological studies: we are a one stop source for all our customers’ geoinformation needs.

Flexible and professional, we can adapt to every customer’s specific challenges whatever its sector or the size of its project. Our commitment is simple: maximize all our resources, both technical and human, to exceed our customers’ expectations. Systematically.

We are also a preferred employer and care about our employees’ personal development and well-being. Behind the company is a multidisciplinary team of over 100 professionals and qualified technicians. Geomatics experts, engineers, IT specialists, surveyors, geographers and geologists—their talent and passion are the key to Effigis’ success."

Actually you could already, but it's now easier than ever: the omnipresent "Follow Slashgeo" and "Like Slashgeo" buttons suddenly appeared top right of Slashgeo's website. Until further notice, you won't generally see content on Slashgeo's Twitter and Facebook feeds that isn't already published on this site. The objective is rather simple, making it easy for you to get geospatial news if you use one of those social networks.

According to Google Feedburner, there's currently 9,412 people subscribed to our news in RSS, but you can also get the same news from our Twitter feed and Facebook page. If interested, follow the white rabbit (or the links top right). Anyone interested in contributing to Slashgeo's Facebook page (e.g. its look, content)? Let me know!

I am glad to announce that Slashgeo.org is a proud media partner of FOSS4G 2013, to be held in Nottingham, UK, on September 17-21, one of the dominant geospatial conferences.

Here's what it is: "FOSS4G is the global conference for Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial, organized by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). In 2013, FOSS4G will be held in in the United Kingdom for the first time, at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, from 17th to 21st September. FOSS4G 2013 will follow on from the Association for Geospatial Information (AGI) annual GeoCommunity Event at the same venue, and delegates will have an opportunity to attend both events for a full week of Geo-Goodness!

Expect a vibrant mix of workshops, papers, seminars, birds-of-a-feather meetings, and great social events, in a fantastic location. Key dates and travel information will be published shortly, from early September 2012, so check back for updates, follow us on twitter, or sign up to our mailing list for more information."

We'll try to have one or two Slashgeo Editors on the site at FOSS4G 2013. Slashgeo had the chance to be active and cover 4 recent OSGeo FOSS4G events.

It's November 13th already, and what happens on November 13th? Like previous years, it's the 'Make Slashgeo Known to the Community Day'! :-) Today's mission has not changed:

If you like the site and find it useful, you must tell one of your colleagues about Slashgeo.org. With enough missions accomplished, you'll gain experience, level up and be able to develop new geospatial skills ;-)

Things you most probably already know: we're managed by a registered non-profit organization and powered by passion for the geospatial community. Your contributions are more than welcomed.

Thanks for your participation & take care - Alex aka Satri

Most of you already know I'm fond of transparency. Since the beginning in 2005, we're pretty open within the registered non-profit organization behind Slashgeo.org, and one of those symptoms of openness is our Open Budget which has just been updated. A link to it is permanently available at the bottom of the 'Top Donors' section in the right-hand side column. It's the first update for over 1.5 year... In order to respect Google's terms of service for AdSense, you won't find some details such as Flattr, AdSense and other similar revenues.

We're still about $3,000 in the red, but the last year has been much more balanced thanks to numerous donations, including a major one from Safe Software that propelled them at the top of our top donors list. Being financially in the red doesn't matter that much (that's still a relatively tiny amount) compared to the thousands of hours of geonews aggregation and site maintenance (it's all voluntary work). What is more important is you contributing, the way of your choosing, to Slashgeo. We're also always open to suggestions :-) Enjoy!

I'm spring-cleaning a few things I wanted to get done (my youngest daughter is sleeping, generating some 'free' time ;-). Following last January's suggestion by a Slashgeo user, you can now Flattr Slashgeo! What? In short, Flattr is a way to contribute very small donations (micro-payments), down to a few cents, to the websites you use and like. This new possibility has been added to the 'Using this site' sub-page. Thanks in advance for any contribution!

A new feature on Slashgeo, that doesn't happen every month! Anyone that contributes 5$ or more to Slashgeo won't see ads on the site for at least 5 years. You'll get more screen real estate, especially useful on tablets and smartphones. If you donated in the past and I haven't disabled the ads while you're logged in yet, let me know. Enjoy!

Another way to help Slashgeo continue aggregating the pertinent geonews for you is by using our DreamHost referrer code if you need an excellent web hosting service.

Two significant donations in a row! Thanks to Transitiva for supporting Slashgeo.

Here's what they do: "Transitiva is a top supplier of OEM GPS equipment since 2008. We supply equipment that is used within and for companies in defense, government, and commercial industries. We offer top brand name products manufactured by Hemisphere GPS, Trimble, Pacific Crest, Trimble, Septentrio, Ashtech and more. Our product categories include: GPS OEM Boards, Development kits, OEM enclosures, Antennas, and other accessories."

They made it to our list top donors (right-hand side column) - it's now getting harder to find your way there, since the minimum amount is above 100$ now - that said, even 5$ is a welcomed donation for our registered non-profit organization. Yes, yes, I'll update our open budget soon... (does taking care of two young kids succeeds in making you believe I'm not procrastinating? ;-).

Thanks Transitiva!