EVS-Islands

Makin Island - Google Earth-Digital Globe Image (1-75,000)

I will finish the title sentence - "If Digital Globe's Imagery Was Free They Would Cease to Make Money." Okay, I know that Digital Globe has to spend big bucks before they are ever able to snag their exquisite imagery, process, archive and finally process it for sale and delivery. I know, but I can dream can't I?

As you all know, I am a school teacher by day. And I might add, a modestly paid one at that. It is my choice, because I am able to fundamentally influence lives in a positive way and I value that opportunity. But what about making maps of islands?

I have had two enjoyable conversations with Digital Globe representatives. They both patiently explained the image ordering process and associated costs. For between $450 up to $1400, I could purchase a TIFF image covering a minimum of 25 sq miles of a target island. I don't have a fraction of that cost. I am just a humble soul that loves making the best maps of islands I can possibly make. I am grateful for Google Earth's initiative to bring all of us little folks the world. Not just the Landsat ETM+ world, but a world with gorgeous Digital Globe imagery scattered throughout. It is so cool! This 60-centimeter imagery shows us a world of exciting possibilities.

Oh, yeah. I wonder about all of that other archived imagery. Those many other images that allow one to view a cloud-free island by combining a number of images to create a workable mosaic of an island.

So, here is my offer, Digital Globe - I will take your TIFF imagery of islands and mosaic them to create a cloud-free master image of that island. I will use this mosaic to create the most accurate map of the island available. I will continue to make my maps available to anyone for free. I will return your TIFF imagery or destroy it, you make the call. I will use my copy of the island mosaic for my map project only. I will return the master mosaic to you for you to use as a low-cost imagery product.

The up-side for me - I get 60-centimeter resolution imagery to construct my island maps from. Digital Globe gets a cloud-free mosaic of an island that they can productize and distribute through their many distributors. I am sure they would also accrue a generous tax write-off, as I am a non-profit using my final map products for the benefit and education of my reading audience.

Sounds good to me!

Jill Smith, CEO of Digital Globe - Lets do this deal! Drop me a line and we can make it happen.

Labels: Digital Globe, Google Earth, Jill Smith CEO, TIFF

Posted by Mr Minton at 1/11/2007 04:12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

More on this "Island For Sale" business. I honestly had no idea that two of the islands within this group located north of Grenada are for sale. I selected the group as a project target because the imagery in Google Earth was high resolution. I am half-way through the digitizing and I do an Internet scan for information about these small islands and two of them show up on Private Islands Online. The two largest islands within the group are on the market. The largest, Ronde Island (2,000 acres) you can have for $70,000,000 and the southern-most island, Caille Island (400 acres) is listed at $18,000,000.

I live in San Diego CA and I am spoiled when it comes to our shoreline - it is public land. You can live up next to the beach but you don't get to own the beach. I like that. Property that would be the play-ground of the rich and famous is the play-ground of us all. So, where do I stand on ownership of an island. I'll let you know at a later date.

Enjoy!

PS - I will post more images on the Ronde Island Group. The project is still underway and might be completed today or tomorrow.

Labels: Carribean, Digital Globe, Global Mapper, Google Earth, Grenada, island, map, Marplot

Posted by Mr Minton at 1/10/2007 06:51:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Visit Jane Resture's website that contains extensive discussions of Makin Island to include it's history during WWII. Another site that contains WWII information about the battle of Makin Island is the American Forces in Actions, the Battle for Makin Island. If this island is of interest you will find the data informative.

This is the result of about 12-hours of digitizing, along with 2-NFL football games and numerous other interruptions. It was probably a 4-hour project without the distractions, but frankly that is life. We indulge our passions while encountering life's many demands. Was the 12-hours worth it? Sure! The map is well done and I am finished with this project.

Enjoy!

Labels: atoll, Digital Globe, Gilberts, Google Earth, island, Kiribati, Marplot, Pacific

Posted by Mr Minton at 1/08/2007 12:22:00 AM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post