got geoint?

Welcome to the Friday’s Food for Thought post from got geoint? As always, we hope that you all had a productive work week and are ready to coast into the weekend. Earlier this week, we covered a story about DARPA’s “Transparent Underground,” and how Geospatial Corporation has actually been doing the whole underground mapping thing since 2005. So, we wanted to take the concept of “underground” and take it to the next level. For example, why are underground bands soo much cooler than mainstream ones? Why do underground artists and designers seem to have more cred? And, are there any cool underground GEOINT trends happening right now? Well, we try our best to answer these questions in this week’s FFT post. And, be sure to check out the funny video at the end of this post.

Underground GEOINT: Where 2.0 Conference
So, where is all the GEOINT underground action happening? We recommend that you all check out the O’Reilly Where 2.0 Conference later this month is San Jose. This conference has been instrumental in showcasing some of the latest and greatest (dare we say underground) GEOINT products and services that will shape the future of location-based technologies. Also, we heard from the Where 2.0 planners that they still have space available for any start ups looking to make a splash. Perhaps you are the underground sensation and you need a platform to go mainstream? Well, Where 2.0 is the place to be!

Pitchfork Media: Purveyors of Underground/Indie Music with a Snobby Twist
So, perhaps you have a teenage son who is developing into a true indie music snob. No matter what music you bring up to him, you are just not cool enough. Or perhaps you have that neighbor who went to one Death Cab for Cutie concert and thinks he is an underground/indie music aficionado? Well, fret no more. You too can become an instant underground music snob by simply reading Pitchfork.com. For several years, now Pitchfork has been the purveyor of indie music, and they do not hold back on the snobbery. Some of their reviews can be downright vicious, yet strangely funny at the same time. Check them out the site here and tap into your inner music snob.

Underground Technologies
Did you know that there is a company called Underground Technologies? Neither did we. Located in Troy Michigan, Underground Technologies was incorporated in late 2004 and released product in 2007. Using its background in foam and polyurea composites, UGT thought out of the box to develop a manhole elevation ring that can withstand the enviroment while tackling the current problems. UGT tested for 2 full years before releasing product. UGT’s Product line consist of elevation rings, securing and sealing as well as providing an outer barrier to eliminate INI. Check out their web site here.

Gopher: Underground Technology
Back in 1992, when “yahoo” was something cowboys yelled and “ebay” was just pig Latin, the University of Minnesota developed a new way of looking at data on the Internet. Their protocol, called “gopher” after the UMN mascot, allowed archivists to present the mishmash of information in a standard format, and enabled readers to navigate documents on a world of servers using a simple visual interface. For a while, it seemed as if gopher might open the Internet up to the nontechnical masses and usher in a new era of online communication. It very well might have, if the Web hadn’t come along and done it instead. Read the full Wired article here.

Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance
So here comes the funny music video tie in…remember the rap one-hit wonders the Digital Underground? Well fans of late 80s silly rap in the vein of Kid n’ Play will certainly enjoy the Digital Underground’s classic video “The Humpty Dance.” Here it is for your listening pleasure. Caveat: don’t mention this song when you are trying to impress your neighbor or indie music oriented teenager. You will lose all underground cred. Enjoy.

Tags: DARPA, Death Cab for Cutie, Digital Underground, Friday's Food for Thought, GEOINT, Geospatial Corporation, got geoint?, Humpty Dance, Indie Music, Pitchfork Media, Transparent Earth, United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, USGIF