got geoint?

Since we are coming upon a three-day weekend, we thought we would infuse a bit more entertainment into this “Friday’s Food for Thought.” Of course, we will be covering interesting news surrounding GEOINT/GIS/GPS, but the Joaquin Phoenix appearance on Letterman was too good not to post. In addition, doesn’t everyone want to Twitter with MC Hammer? First up, we will focus on the more serious stuff, but definitely scroll down for the more enlightening/entertaining.

Digital Glob Extends Agreement with Nokia
USGIF member, DigitalGlobe, announced this week that it is extending its agreement with Nokia. Through the agreement, DigitalGlobe’s imagery will be used both on Nokia devices and OVI, Nokia’s Web portal.

Shout Out for GIS Forum
We recently joined a new online network for the GIS community called GIS Forum. We recommend everyone check it out and sign up. It’s still in Beta, but is a very useful community group for the GIS industry. Click here to check it out.

MapQuest Still #1; But Not for Long
According to the latest data from Hitwise, MapQuest is still the most popular online mapping and driving directions tool — although others like Google Maps or Microsoft’s Live Search Maps offer far superior features. We believe it is because they were the dominant force on the Internet for mapping and driving directions for soo long. We all have many years behind us printing our MapQuest directions to get to a meeting — although they were often wrong, or not the most ideal route. But it was the perfect excuse for getting to a meeting late…”man, that MapQuest really messed me up.”

A-Rod and MapQuest
Since we are on the topic of MapQuest, we wanted to point you to this blog about A-Rod and how he has a veritable MapQuest at his fingertips, and needs to decide what direction to take to handle his current crises. Notice, the blogger did NOT say that A-Rod has Google Maps at his finger tips? Says a lot huh??

New Images of Moon Show it to be Dry
While none of the got geoint? editorial team have actually been to the moon, we would have guessed that it was a dry place, which was confirmed this week by new satellite images.

Scientists Map Genome for Common Cold
While this story is not about mapping in the sense that we know it, still worthy of noting. Scientists have mapped the DNA of a common cold. While the cure for a common cold is still elusive, it is a step in the right direction for finding new treatments. Now, if they could only do the same for a hang over.

MC Hammer on Twitter
While we often cover Twitter and and government/defense, we thought we would veer of course a bit and highlight 605 musical artists who are on Twitter. Much like the GovTwit directory, it is all in one spot. Check out the directory here. We are already following MC Hammer (he has more than 56,000 followers, no joke).

Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman
After much internal debate, we have come to the conclusion that this was a pure Hollywood publicity stunt to help create buzz around Joaquin and his new movie, “Two Lovers.” Joaquin put himself into the role of being a spaced out, bearded, Jim Morrison-like character and pulled it off well. Check out the clip below and let us know what you think.

Happy Friday!

Tags: GEOINT, GIS Forum, GPS, Joaquin Phoenix, Letterman, MapQuest, MC Hammer, Twitter