EVS-Islands

This island is named for the surly Scottish seaman who inspired the story of Robinson Crusoe. He choose to leave his unseaworthy ship to take his chances on Juan Fernandez Island, located to the east of this island. He survived for 4-years until rescued and returned to England for his moment of fame. Daniel Defoe told a story based on Mr Selkirk's island adventures. His character was a noble sort that survived and never once lost his right place in civilized society. Mr Selkirk, on the other hand, lived a difficult existence for 4-years. His adventures were often grim, as was his life. Upon returning to his village in Scotland he married a local lass. The sea continued to call him and he shipped out again. He died Dec 13, 1721, most probably from complication from Yellow Fever.

This island, named in his honor, is to the west of Juan Fernandez Island. It is fairly small, with a tiny village along the eastern shore. It is a high island, with some vegetation in the higher altitudes. I have included a number of images from Google Earth

Enjoy the island.

Posted by Mr Minton at 9/13/2006 11:06:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

This past summer I attended portions of the ESRI Users Conference here in San Diego.  Employees of ESRI were very gracious and extended an invitation to hard-working school teachers to attend the conference with a 1-day pass.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time cruising the Exhibitor area and the Map Exhibit area.

ESRI is staffed with lots of "good guys and gals".  People that care and are doing their best to respond to real people within their market.

My site has been visited in tremendous numbers by young people (teenagers) chasing down the meaning of an Australian slang express "Evs", which is short for "Whatever".  It was coined by some hip, on-the-edge rock star.  I figure, at least they are visiting my site and just maybe one of them might find my information interesting.  One did find it interesting.  They took the time to email me with a brief complement and a question / plea.  They said "How expensive is it to put together a map like yours to do what you do?" A fledgling map-maker!

My initial reaction was to start ticking off all of the ways I have compiled my base set of information, most of it for FREE.  I still might do it, but I thought "Why me? I'll give the folks at ESRI a chance to repsond."  This is a question that is directed at ESRI.  Before I answer it by telling the young person that I can set them up with a powerful GIS system for virtually no money.  One that they can, not only explore the world, but more importantly, they can view layers of the world that they find most interesting.  I can set them up with software that allows them to compile layers of information that they control the scale at which this layer appears.  I can provide them with software that will allow them to creatively digitize areas that they find interesting.  I can give them a functional, powerful (in many ways) and simple-to-use GIS software.  I can do this and more, but again, why me?

ESRI, I do want to tell you how to do your business.  You need to create a Marplot of your own.  I am not sure if AEJEE is that finished solution, but it is an excellent start.  Every kid that wants to try their hand at mapping, every teacher that wants to teach their class the basics of mapping could and would use a simple GIS package.  It should be FREE and loaded with layers of information!  You will make lots of money as these users require the high quality mapping packages you market so effectively.  Step up and go after this market.  Make the software simple, compact and capable of producing quality maps.  It does not have to be ARCGIS-9.  As I tell my students - Keep It Simple Stupid.  It needs to be a GIS package for "everyman".  If that "everyman", who aspires to make maps, uses an ESRI developed Marplot-like GIS mapping program they will be an ESRI loyalist for life.  If they see how easily and quickly one is able to produce quality maps, they will be ESRI users forever.

As I stated earlier, if you don't step up to this opportunity, if you don't recognize it as a valid opportunity to explore, I will.  Lots and lots of people visit this website from throughout the world (105 countries and counting).  Most are accomplished map makers.  However, lately, many are viewing the maps I create and wishing they could make their own.  ESRI, step up and help them.

Thanks for listening.  Have a nice day.   

Posted by Mr Minton at 9/13/2006 07:00:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

My grandson likes to look over my shoulder as I work on mapping projects.  Most often, he is busy playing with Legos and wants me to stop digitizing so we can construct a fort or a boat.  Most often, I stop and play.  I realize that time flys by and before I know it that 7-year old boy that worships the ground I walk on will be very busy into his life.  I will be loved by him, but his life will consume him, as it should.

So, last night, as I was digitizing a shoreline he asked, "Grandpa?  Can I try that?".  My initial reaction was to think, "No, this is too difficult."  But the words that came out were, "Sure.  Come here and I'll show you how.".  The shoreline was complex with lots of twists and turns.  He carefully clicked along the shoreline with the cursor flashing along it's edge creating vector after vector.  I said, "Left click to make a point, which is called a vector."  He clicked his way through 10-kilometers of shoreline.  After he had finished the stretch of shoreline, he studied it carefully and noted that a couple of the vertices were misplotted.  We moved them to their proper position.  He said, "There! How does that look Grandpa?".  I answered, "That looks great!"  He turned away and began playing with his Legos satisfied that this digitizing business that keeps Grandpa so busy was Child's Play.

Aren't kids fun?  

Posted by Mr Minton at 9/11/2006 07:11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Let's get lost, originally uploaded by niimo.

We picture a tranquil island setting to rest lazily, but this is often the setting both on shore and in our minds. Enjoy!

Posted by Mr Minton at 9/10/2006 08:05:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post