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The Amazing Race => The Amazing Race Discussion => Topic started by: Slowhatch on August 19, 2009, 09:26:45 PM

Title: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on August 19, 2009, 09:26:45 PM
My posts about technical stuff never seem to fit properly with existing threads, so I'll make this catchall and occasionally throw some news into the basket (anybody else that finds things they're willing to share is of course welcome).
First up: new Street View imagery for Portugal, Switzerland and Taiwan. I know--too little, too late for us--but it's interesting to see a bit of Kleine Rugen (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=46.679554,7.856587&spn=0,359.993182&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=46.679964,7.856411&panoid=0izR2ilxpTCliskB7e8OhQ&cbp=12,141.69,,0,0.18); and the M/O TARA3 elimination turns out to be just a few yards from the Astronomical Museum (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=taipei+astronomical+museum&sll=25.042293,121.547928&sspn=0.054511,0.109091&ie=UTF8&ll=25.095777,121.517823&spn=0,359.993182&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=25.095893,121.517715&panoid=uMaTtItOdZqOcOHO3QnAWQ&cbp=12,299.06,,0,-9.8) pit stop, making the car-sleep a bit of a sham.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: puddin on August 19, 2009, 09:43:52 PM
Don't give away too many of your secrets Slowhatch!  :lol:  .. I still have a few of your tech notes stashed away that I'm not willing to share so easily.

okay I'll go away now  :sneak
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on August 19, 2009, 10:50:36 PM
Untechy me loves the technical stuff you share..... more anytime please!! :kuss:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on August 22, 2009, 01:08:51 AM
Google is experimenting with changes to its core algorithms. The new code, called Caffeine, is described here (http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2009/08/help-test-some-next-generation.html).
Quote
The new infrastructure sits "under the hood" of Google's search engine, which means that most users won't notice a difference in search results. But web developers and power searchers might notice a few differences...
You can compare the old and new at sites like this (http://www.comparecaffeine.com/). For some searches, the new system moved RFF up a few notches; in other searches, it fell behind, so it seems mostly a wash. (RFF is still #1 for Amazing Race spoilers).
In other news, Twitter may soon tag posts with geodata (http://blog.twitter.com/2009/08/location-location-location.html), but it's a voluntary opt-in and I doubt that many people will sign up.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on September 01, 2009, 07:47:10 PM
Dual Maps (http://www.mashedworld.com/DualMaps.aspx) is a mashup mainly aimed at developers who want to embed custom maps on their websites, but it can also save time for those of us wanting to double-check our results. If you have an address or a GM  link, you can get a multi-pane view: street map (or aerial), Google street view and Bing bird's eye (in parts of the world where those things are available).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on September 20, 2009, 11:28:58 PM
Yandex, the all-purpose Russian search portal, has entered the street view business. There's only Moscow so far, but you can expect more cities: as this post (http://profy.com/2009/09/11/yandex-launches-street-view-moscow-no-privacy/) explains, the authorities don't have to bother with pesky things like blurring faces or asking permission.  :lol: An example (http://maps.yandex.ru/?index&ll=37.582071%2C55.750297&spn=0.007303%2C0.002184&l=sat%2Cskl%2Cstv&ol=stv&oll=37.582937%2C55.749448&ost=dir%3A47.506855%2C3.390148~spn%3A90%2C64.148002) is below: Dallas is (supposedly) running after his cab, but he's actually on the Garden Ring, nowhere near Bulgakov's flat (not that it matters, the phony editing behind the lost passport was already exposed by Gman). Also, there are alternatives: English interfaces don't always exist, so navigation might take time.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: puddin on September 21, 2009, 12:01:31 AM
You found it Slowhatch! Damn your good  :yess: :jumpy: :jumpy: :yess: :jam: :jam:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on September 21, 2009, 12:50:46 AM
Hmmmm...Prague?? :jumpy:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on September 21, 2009, 01:15:09 AM
Prague (http://www.norc.ro/pano/LqHWJx4G/) is covered, but not the whitewater course. Google went through Prague with their camera cars recently, but it takes several months to process and upload images.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on September 21, 2009, 01:21:57 AM
Thanks slowhatch, these will be wonderful to have!!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on September 22, 2009, 12:55:36 AM
Google does an adequate job mapping Tokyo and HCMC. A couple of address finders to complement searching:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on October 02, 2009, 12:55:36 PM
 :lol: OK, here's my token contribution to the list of utilities, namely a FREE photo editor (with so much more).

PhotoScape (http://www.photoscape.org) beats Picasa hands down, IMO.  If you hate Picasa (as I do), then you may want to check out PhotoScape.  Tons of effects, good UI, and simple to use.  Mainly for manipulating photos.  And it's FREE.   :snicker:

Even has an EXIF info viewer, and a direct link to Pictriev (http://www.pictriev.com/facedb/fs2.php) (for searching faces on the internet).

download PhotoScape here (http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/download.php)
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: puddin on October 02, 2009, 10:47:37 PM
:lol: OK, here's my token contribution to the list of utilities, namely a FREE photo editor (with so much more).

PhotoScape (http://www.photoscape.org) beats Picasa hands down, IMO.  If you hate Picasa (as I do), then you may want to check out PhotoScape.  Tons of effects, good UI, and simple to use.  Mainly for manipulating photos.  And it's FREE.   :snicker:

Even has an EXIF info viewer, and a direct link to Pictriev (http://www.pictriev.com/facedb/fs2.php) (for searching faces on the internet).

download PhotoScape here (http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/download.php)
Done! Thanks Boingo  :hearts:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Jobby on October 03, 2009, 10:00:39 AM
Looks good and downloaded! Thanks Boingo!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on October 03, 2009, 03:10:32 PM
Me too! Me too! I like it lots, thank you!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 03, 2009, 09:50:55 PM
Thanks. The pictriev stuff is interesting. Face recognition for the public is slowly getting better (we wish we had the stuff used by the government, and the government wishes it had the stuff used by the Vegas casinos  ;D). Picasa and iPhoto have their apps, and Facebook has something called Photofinder; even if the software respects privacy options, you might get lucky with a public-photo search (I'm not a member, I've never tried it). I took Pictriev for a spin with two photos of Phil: the eyebrow photo matched him with J-Lo ???, but the second was spot on--it even made a guess at his age. I think it has to be a full-front face shot to be effective.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: puddin on October 03, 2009, 10:40:56 PM
I never knew about photofinder, my facebook friends who are tagged come up  :tup:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Jobby on October 04, 2009, 07:50:26 AM
After i downloaded the application and tried to get it work, my laptop crashed. I guess it is uncompatible with the programme. :groan: :'(
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: TexasLady on October 05, 2009, 08:09:03 AM
:lol: OK, here's my token contribution to the list of utilities, namely a FREE photo editor (with so much more).

PhotoScape (http://www.photoscape.org) beats Picasa hands down, IMO.  If you hate Picasa (as I do), then you may want to check out PhotoScape.  Tons of effects, good UI, and simple to use.  Mainly for manipulating photos.  And it's FREE.   :snicker:

Even has an EXIF info viewer, and a direct link to Pictriev (http://www.pictriev.com/facedb/fs2.php) (for searching faces on the internet).

download PhotoScape here (http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/download.php)

Very nice program! Thanks for sharing this.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 08, 2009, 03:22:27 AM
Google street view additions: Canada (selected cities) and Prague. Google maps (not street view) now shows Almaty (too late!  :().
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 08, 2009, 05:13:39 PM
A Google Maps mashup from a student at Ohio State that may save some time: Geomap (http://ihaochi.com/geomap/) bundles entries from Picasa, Flickr, Youtube, etc.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on October 08, 2009, 07:43:16 PM
Thanks slowhatch!! Saved!!

Looks handy! :hearts:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 10, 2009, 10:54:20 PM
There's a new metasearch for panos called Panogoogle (http://www.panogoogle.com/). It searches the usual suspects--360 cities, panoramas.dk, etc.--but you can also try it for independent sites. Here's one for Dubai/UAE (http://panorama.pentimo.com/index.php) created by some real estate people (I think) that has some interesting views.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: puddin on October 11, 2009, 12:32:06 AM
Sweet Slowhatch!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 14, 2009, 11:37:52 AM
Chateau asked earlier about the dates for GE imagery and I can provide a partial answer. Ignore the dates by the copyright symbols. Zoom down close to the ground and check the lower-left for a date. Dubai is 23 Apr 08, HCMC is 11 Feb 08, Vierhuizen is just "2005," and PP is blank. According to this article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Earth#Imagery_and_coordination), for international cities you can assume a default of 2004.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 16, 2009, 09:14:38 AM
The street view trike (https://services.google.com/fb/forms/streetviewussuggestions/?utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=van&utm_source=en-van-na-us-gns-svn-com/trike) is accepting nominations. The examples on the page include a TAR connection.  :pedaler:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on October 16, 2009, 11:36:24 AM
Oh FUN!! What should we vote for??
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 19, 2009, 01:49:31 AM
Twitter searching: some general advice (http://www.search1x.com/2009/10/18/how-to-search-twitter-effectively/) and syntax (http://search.twitter.com/operators).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on November 09, 2009, 01:38:14 PM
 :lol:  Hey puddin, turns out you don't really need an external EXIF viewer... that capability is already built into the Microsoft OS (but we already knew that, right  :neener:).  The steps shown below only work if the "original" picture file "actually" contains EXIF data.

For "limited" EXIF data:

Open Windows Explorer, then:

In XP, hover the mouse pointer over the picture file name and the Date/Time taken and Camera info will appear.

In Vista, hover the mouse pointer over the picture file name and only the Date taken info will appear.

In Windows 7, hovering the mouse doesn't do anything, rather, click-once on the picture file name and the Date taken info will appear at the bottom of the window. (Interesting, it even allows you to change the date).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For FULL EXIF data do the following:

Open Windows Explorer, then:

In XP, right-click the file, click Properties -> Summary -> Advanced
in Vista, right-click the file, click Properties -> Details
in Windows 7, right-click the file, click Properties -> Details

And yes, an external EXIF viewer would do multiple file quicker... but that's not the point...  :neener:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: puddin on November 09, 2009, 02:24:27 PM
I know the right click thing Boingo but don't trust the data it gives me  :lol:
The hover thing doesn't work for me  :duno:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on November 09, 2009, 07:46:55 PM
Streetview imagery update today for Mexico: Mexico City, Monterrey, Cancun, and a few other cities (you might remember this (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=teotihuacan+temple+of+the+sun&sll=19.585507,-99.147491&sspn=0.11224,0.216808&ie=UTF8&hq=teotihuacan+temple+of+the+sun&hnear=&ll=19.689506,-98.841591&spn=0,359.945798&t=h&z=15&layer=c&cbll=19.689558,-98.84149&panoid=SRjoX-GD315pMvQ9hN1EsA&cbp=12,333.7,,0,6.21)). There's also a new player in streetview called Mapplo (http://www.mapplo.com/). It wants to be pre-eminent in Latin America, and its preview shows a few areas of Buenos Aires; the trouble is, they're using their own algorithims rather than borrowing Google or Mapjack, and I found the preview to be slow and rather buggy.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on November 17, 2009, 08:44:30 PM
Some improvements to Google Translate detailed here (http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-look-for-google-translate.html).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on November 17, 2009, 09:36:30 PM
oooh way cool! Thanks!!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on November 18, 2009, 10:56:26 AM
Google Labs is previewing Google Swirl, which is a mashup of their Similar Image search and their Wonder Wheel. Only a limited number of search terms are available in the preview, but oddly Prague map (http://image-swirl.googlelabs.com/html?query=prague%20map#) is there. The nodes are centered around image themes; click on a node and the wheel pops up. Not sure how useful it is to our purposes, but it's interesting to play with.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on November 18, 2009, 10:58:57 AM
What's a wonder wheel?? Is there wasabi involved? :funny:


Oh wow!! It makes me dizzy but I LOVE it!! 
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on November 20, 2009, 10:04:26 PM
Bing seems to be getting into the streetview business (Bing photo cars were recently seen in Vancouver), but in an odd sort of way: here's the preview (http://preview.local.live.com/).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: puddin on November 20, 2009, 10:14:34 PM
Microsoft is trying hard to compete with google, I like it Slowhatch!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on November 20, 2009, 10:32:15 PM
Bing seems to be getting into the streetview business (Bing photo cars were recently seen in Vancouver), but in an odd sort of way: here's the preview (http://preview.local.live.com/).


Heee....I just drove into the bay! :funny:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: puddin on November 20, 2009, 10:34:10 PM
peach, your really DO need new glasses   :funny:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on December 02, 2009, 01:13:21 PM
New streetview imagery release: some more Canadian cities and good coverage of Singapore (a view here (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=singapore&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=43.172547,57.216797&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Singapore&layer=c&cbll=1.29439,103.859015&panoid=19QrJ9lgzo-HfiTYIxPM2g&cbp=12,336,,0,7.15&ll=1.321675,103.858824&spn=0.026729,0.027938&t=h&z=15) of a very easy Roadblock).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on December 02, 2009, 08:50:09 PM
Bing is now counterpunching with the release of Bing Maps Explore Beta (here's Las Vegas (http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/#5872/style=auto&lat=36.17183&lon=-115.139764&z=10&pid=5874/5003/0.6002=q:las+vegas,+nv:lat:35.2738027163842:long:-120.663002014&o=&a=0)). Silverlight is required. With the map in Auto mode, as you zoom in it changes from map to 3D modeling to Bird's Eye. Click the little blue man and their streetview, called streetside, is enabled; so far only the casino area is covered, but the resolution looks better than Google (which for some reason looks crummy in Vegas).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on December 03, 2009, 10:47:11 PM
We've known that the producers like World Heritage sites. And we've known about the pano coverage (here (http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/) and here (http://www.panoramas.dk/world-heritage.html), for example). Now it seems Google (http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/unesco/) is using GE/streetview to get into the act.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: puddin on December 03, 2009, 11:36:52 PM
We've known that the producers like World Heritage sites. And we've known about the pano coverage (here (http://www.world-heritage-tour.org/) and here (http://www.panoramas.dk/world-heritage.html), for example). Now it seems Google (http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/unesco/) is using GE/streetview to get into the act.
This I like! :yes:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: walkingpneumonia on December 04, 2009, 11:32:15 AM
Seems to me that this DARPA challenge is sort of what the TAR detectives already do very well - only on a global scale.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/12/04/darpa.balloon.challenge/index.html[/ (http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/12/04/darpa.balloon.challenge/index.html[/)

Instead of searching for red balloons and reporting their location we hunt for Phil! Maybe DARPA should study RFF!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on December 14, 2009, 09:31:09 AM
Mapquest street view (http://www.mapquest.com/mq/1-NYYB): follow the orange balloon (click 360 view).  :colors
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on December 15, 2009, 01:22:53 PM
 :cmaslol   Not sure if y'all know about this already, but came across a cool feature of Google Search when combined with Twitter.

If you go to Google Search and enter something like this --->  "keyword" twitter

Then on the Google Search page you get, along with other items, a small scroll box which is constantly updating with Twitter messages that have the "keyword".  Cool.... it keeps doing this without any refreshing, and will do so until you click "pause".  So you can set up an initial search and just sit back and watch the twitters roll in, continually.  You can also scroll back to see any you've missed.    :jam:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: TARAsia Fan on December 17, 2009, 01:30:15 PM
That's new. Part of the real-time search feature Google added.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on December 22, 2009, 10:29:06 PM
 :cmaslol  just happened to be watching the NASA channel (yes, yes, I'm bored....) and saw this cool link:

http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/

It's a collection of the hundreds of thousands of actual photos US astronauts have taken from outer space during the entire history of the space program.  It's searchable, so you can find your house (if you're lucky).  Kinda like a Google Earth view, only from about 200 miles up in space. hmmmm... now if we can only get the ISS to track Phil and the racers in real time from space....  :cmas19
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on January 08, 2010, 08:46:36 PM
A startup named Keitor (http://keitor.com/) might prove to be a time-saver. A front-end for Google, it has a drop-down box for translation and filetype filters you can click on. What sets it apart are the virtual keyboards you can enable: Basque, Armenian, Thai, Kazakh, etc.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: redskevin88 on January 08, 2010, 09:59:54 PM
It's a collection of the hundreds of thousands of actual photos US astronauts have taken from outer space during the entire history of the space program.  It's searchable, so you can find your house (if you're lucky).  Kinda like a Google Earth view, only from about 200 miles up in space. hmmmm... now if we can only get the ISS to track Phil and the racers in real time from space....  :cmas19

NASA owns part of CBS so it's impossible :lol:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on January 21, 2010, 01:17:05 AM
Google streetview is now in Copenhagen and Stockholm. Denmark is new. Sweden was already with Hitta; also Eniro, the Swedish site which does a good job with 3D and bird's-eye view, is getting into the streetview game (you can see the Trotters passing through Sergels Torg (http://kartor.eniro.se/m/MwDJt) on their way to the ferry dock).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on February 09, 2010, 10:05:27 PM
Google has released new streetview imagery of Norway and Finland, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico and Alaska. Some alternatives to consider: Eniro (http://kartat.eniro.fi/) for Finland and Finn (http://kart.finn.no/) for Norway. Both have good aerials and some very interesting 3D modeling.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Neobie on February 18, 2010, 11:28:17 PM
Chanced upon some pretty good resolution images of this place, guess where?
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: chill_sd on February 19, 2010, 12:03:40 AM
It makes me think of Dubai, but I really don't know.  Cool pic, though.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Mandoli on February 19, 2010, 01:17:39 AM
Is that in this season? Towards the end of the race?

I don't remember where it is.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: David on February 19, 2010, 06:16:15 AM
I'd say that is Forte San Marcelo, the first PitStop of TAR13??

I really liked the place.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Chateau d If on February 19, 2010, 01:54:44 PM
Chanced upon some pretty good resolution images of this place, guess where?

I wish I had this back then.  I could have gotten the mat arrival times a lot tighter.  :colors
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Neobie on February 19, 2010, 02:47:36 PM
I'd say that is Forte San Marcelo, the first PitStop of TAR13??

Haha, you got it! Fortaleza's got some good resolutions as well.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on March 01, 2010, 09:57:08 AM

 :tup: Geosense - a free software-driven location sensor for Windows 7 (only)

download here (http://geosenseforwindows.com/)


...no GPS hardware required
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on March 01, 2010, 11:41:33 AM
What is it please??
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on March 06, 2010, 08:28:47 PM

 :tup: Geosense - a free software-driven location sensor for Windows 7 (only)

download here (http://geosenseforwindows.com/)


...no GPS hardware required

 :lol:  looks like you can geolocate yourself with just a Firefox 3.5 (or higher) HTML5 browser (no extra driver required like Geosense) , any OS, and this website:

http://www.browsergeolocation.com

It gives you the same rough approximate location as Geosense (without wi-fi).... cool...  but Geosense with wi-fi enabled will pinpoint you to within steps of your location.  way cool!

Interesting toys to play with till some real applications come along.   :snicker:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on March 11, 2010, 09:02:37 PM
Street View now covers HK and Macau. Here's the old pier (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=macau&sll=33.740045,-118.314049&sspn=0.203273,0.445976&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Macau&ll=22.118225,113.551608&spn=0.003558,0.006968&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=22.119086,113.55006&panoid=MExXAg9amgiAJBz8WMZJUw&cbp=12,300.97,,0,11.24) at Coloane.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Neobie on March 11, 2010, 10:10:13 PM
Thanks for the news Slowhatch! I'm ecstatic! :jumpy:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on April 18, 2010, 12:27:28 AM
Take it for a test spin while it's still free: Benderconverter (http://benderconverter.com/). Paste in the URL of the video page, decide what format you want, and it will convert it and tee it up for you to download. It even does caps at 2 or 5 frames/sec. This promo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N51CyfvGx5o) downloads as an AVI at just over 3 mb. Bonus: world's shortest man at Noodle RB (I thought he died recently ??? )
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on April 20, 2010, 09:05:08 AM
Thanks Slowhatch!! :hearts:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on April 27, 2010, 09:24:34 AM
As you've probably noticed, GE imagery is now available in Google Maps (click the "Earth" button). You don't get all the data layers you do with GE, but it's OK for a quick look at something.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on June 08, 2010, 01:12:18 AM
Google has released streetview for South Africa (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hq=&ll=-26.257166,27.92892&spn=0,0.027874&z=16&layer=c&cbll=-26.254636,27.925492&panoid=jqXAJRYOUE2kHflagdzW1g&cbp=12,73.74,,0,-24.86); most major cities are covered.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on September 30, 2010, 12:40:02 PM
New streetview releases this week for most of Ireland and the larger cities of Brazil.
Also, you might consider Tripgeo (http://www.tripgeo.com/DirectionsMap.aspx) as a timesaver if you want to visually check out a route or a neighborhood. It's an "animated" streetview: here's the route (http://s3.tripgeo.com/dirmap/map.htm?from=eastnor,%20england&to=BHX) from Eastnor to BHX (R/T mentioned they flew out of Birmingham, although I wonder if the teams might do better just driving to London).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on September 30, 2010, 01:29:58 PM
oooohhhhh!1 I LOVE this!! Just had a lovely drive in the countryside! Thanks!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on November 18, 2010, 10:37:34 PM
StreetView (over some complaints) now in major German cities: the Haifisch Bar (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Haifisch+Bar,+Hamburg,+Germany&sll=53.553815,9.991575&sspn=0.527832,1.229095&g=hamburg+germany&ie=UTF8&hq=Haifisch+Bar,&hnear=Hamburg,+Germany&panoid=GjNyluE6x1tT5mBZrC4uMA&cbp=12,30.68,,0,17.53&ll=53.544337,9.945931&spn=0,0.009602&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.544345,9.945764), for example.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on November 21, 2010, 06:07:13 PM
Since it's Sydney, I'll throw this in: in addition to Google Streetview, you can also use Street-Directory as a complementary service. Although slower to load, the image resolution is better and it covers a few streets Google doesn't. Compare the same views here (http://www.street-directory.com.au/sd_new/mapsearch.cgi?streetview=checked&x=151.205256&RegionID=7&y=-33.868513&StateID=2&svid=646300&SuburbID=3265&star=5&PCode=2000&shopview=true&level=6&CouncilID=112) and here (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sydney,+New+South+Wales,+Australia&ll=-33.869013,151.205301&spn=0.003185,0.006968&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=-33.868583,151.205251&panoid=ICM5AB17B97bBERfNz-Sxw&cbp=12,12.32,,0,10.75).
Also, Sydney metro map here (http://www.cityrail.info/stations/network_map).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on November 30, 2010, 12:42:17 AM
Google Earth 6 (http://www.google.com/earth/index.html) is out, and Google is touting it with...3D trees, of all things.  :groan: Streetview is integrated into the zoom; they won't admit it, but they're just playing catchup with Bing. A bonus to Streetview is the ability to "drive" down a street using your mouse wheel, saving a lot of clicks. Warning: it downloads Chrome as part of the package, and there's no custom install.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Prophet on November 30, 2010, 10:07:29 AM
Google Earth 6 (http://www.google.com/earth/index.html) is out, and Google is touting it with...3D trees, of all things.  :groan: Streetview is integrated into the zoom; they won't admit it, but they're just playing catchup with Bing. A bonus to Streetview is the ability to "drive" down a street using your mouse wheel, saving a lot of clicks. Warning: it downloads Chrome as part of the package, and there's no custom install.

Cool! Thx for the tip.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on December 08, 2010, 08:42:41 PM
GE now has most large cities and major roads in Romania covered. Too late for us, of course. Here's a hillside (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&sspn=2.755492,7.047729&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bran,+Brasov,+Romania&ll=45.512565,25.36549&spn=0.005451,0.013765&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=45.512582,25.365566&panoid=NCElG4bsHxvZ3uywFVi4kA&cbp=12,316.68,,0,8.16) Victor would rather forget.  :cmas22
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on January 24, 2011, 08:54:01 PM
A few words about benchmarks. We may never have to search them again, but just in case...

Let's follow in Chateau's footsteps. First, go to this page (http://www.geocaching.com/mark/) for some general reading. At the top of the page you'll notice a couple of search boxes: one for zip code and one for Point ID. The zip code for White Water is easily found--92282--and when entered yields 460 hits. Too many, we need to map them out. Click on the button top-right and download the whole set as a loc file. Open Google Earth, click File>Open and point it to the loc file you just saved (the default for Google Earth is kmz/kml, so you may need to change the file type in the dropdown box at the bottom of the window). The cap below is what you get. Since we already know the general area, we can narrow it down: DX1061 looks like a good candidate. Go back to the Geocaching page and put DX1061 into the PID field; open it up to find a comment by you-know-who. To double-check, click "view original datasheet" and you can verify that the benchmark matches Chateau's find and not the other posters/geocachers.

(  :tup: Thank you Chateau for your field trip, it looked like fun  :ty3:)
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: theschnauzers on January 24, 2011, 09:38:42 PM
One last point about benchmarks that hasn't been mentioned and which makes them relevant to fixing a location. They are used as starting points by land surveyors in mapping out an area of land for various purposes (such as subdividing land for sale and development, thus creating a legal description of a plot of land.) Before the benchmarks are placed, one would have to start a land survey that might be hundreds of miles (kilometers) away in some instances in order to make sure the survey and subsequent detail maps are accurate.
Even GPS as remarkable as they are can be less than completely accurate.

We actually came about this in reverse order as we knew the land description from the filming permit, and had to translate that onto an online map from BLM (Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior). This is where Google Earth also came in, as it was then possible to go to those images to see what the satellite saw when it took the photo used in Google Earth. What Chateau and others did what spot landmarks in the promotional images released by CBS and find those on Google Earth. The rest of the process need not be restated, but that is how, for me, my training to do a property title search as a lawyer factored into the translating of the BLM film permit.

I know it seems boring, but you never know when when you might need a particular skill set for an unlikely purpose.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on January 24, 2011, 09:41:13 PM
Y'all are all  AMAZING!! :jumpy:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: DrRox on January 24, 2011, 09:55:21 PM
I actually used this website to locate that benchmark......

http://benchmarks.scaredycatfilms.com/CA.html

Slowhatch, this website does automatically, what you did manually, ie, overlay the benchmark locations data from NGS onto GE maps.

When you pull it up for California, the default location is up in the Sierras........so you have to pan down and to the right to eventually get to Whitewater Canyon. As you zoom in, most all of those benchmarks in Slowhatch's GE shot disappear. Just re-center the area and zoom in till you get there.......there are only 4 benchmarks.....and it is pretty easy to tell the one where WRP filmed. I really dont think anyone out there knew what they were walking around.

I think that long linear line of benchmarks in Whitewater Canyon mark a fault associated with the San Andreas Fault. The SAF crosses almost perpendicular to Whitewater Canyon about 8-10 miles north of where the TAR start line was. The fact that Whitewater Canyon is almost straight probably signifies that erosian along that fault cut the canyon. I think they put all those benchmarks in there to monitor movement along that fault.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on April 10, 2011, 09:46:53 PM
No Google street view for Austria--only pseudo-streetview (a collection of still photos). The GSV cars went through Austria in the middle of 2009, but implementation has been  held up by the whole German/Swiss/Austrian privacy controversy.  :meow:
Norc (http://www.norc.at/street-view/), the Romanian street view, fills the gap well in Vienna. The drop-down button for English is at the top-right. Also, linking to particular viewpoints is restricted to registered members.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on April 21, 2011, 01:08:06 PM
A new photo cluster feature may help you zip through the panoramio photos in GE faster: instructions here (http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-photo-browsing-experience-in-google.html).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on June 29, 2011, 05:32:39 PM
:bump

Too good to bury!!  :tup:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on August 05, 2011, 01:15:13 AM
The old TripGeo has morphed into Animated Route Maps (http://www.mapchannels.com/RouteMaps.aspx) from Map Channels:
here's the route (http://data.mapchannels.com/routemap/routemap100.htm?saddr=3456 South Glenmark Drive Hacienda Heights, CA &daddr=Los Angeles International airport&maptype=2&units=2&z=15&fi=1500&fs=25&timeout=300&be=1&bd=-1&sw=240&svz=2&svc=1&atw=250&fgc=000000&bgc=CCCCCC&rc=FF0000&rw=3&ro=0.7) from Hsi Lai to LAX (click Play upper-right).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: TexasLady on August 05, 2011, 09:04:04 AM
Thanks Slowhatch! How neat is this! It's a natural progression for using the technology.  :tup:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on August 05, 2011, 09:11:38 AM
That is WAY cool!! Does it work in other countries too??
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on August 05, 2011, 06:54:23 PM
Quote
Does it work in other countries too??
Sure. Sometimes you have to work around the points--I had to enter a street address instead of "Core Pacific Mall"--but it goes wherever Google goes. Here's the route (http://data.mapchannels.com/routemap/routemap100.htm?saddr=No. 138, Section 4, BāDé Rd, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan &daddr=Dajia Riverside Park, BīnJiāng Street, Jhongshan District, Taiwan&maptype=2&units=2&z=15&fi=1500&fs=25&timeout=300&be=1&bd=-1&sw=240&svz=2&svc=1&atw=250&fgc=000000&bgc=CCCCCC&rc=FF0000&rw=3&ro=0.7) from Core Pacific to Dajia riverside park; notice the Bing map (no usable bird's eye for Taiwan).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on August 05, 2011, 07:41:44 PM
oohhhh...can you put these up in TAR please, they are GREAT! :hearts:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Prophet on August 05, 2011, 07:49:18 PM
I love this Slowhatch! Thanks for finding it! I can see how this could be really useful in TAR detecting. With all these innovations we hardly have to leave the house anymore :lol:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Dom on August 06, 2011, 02:23:58 AM
Not sure if this is the right place but here goes:

Regarding the mapping software on the show itself, we know TAR US uses Google Earth Pro, but what software did TAR Aus use instead? Whatever it was looked about 100 times better!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Prophet on August 06, 2011, 02:03:13 PM
Google has finally perfected the searching by images feature. It works pretty good!

http://www.google.com/insidesearch/searchbyimage.html

For Chrome users this is even easier:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dajedkncpodkggklbegccjpmnglmnflm

(The plugin also includes a screenshot app that allows direct upload to Picasa)
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on August 06, 2011, 10:56:36 PM
Thanks. I haven't used GIS (similar images) for a while; it's nice to see how good it's become. I threw five images at it: Phil, Bert, Zenkov cathedral in Almaty, Mount Kailas and the acaraje picture from the TARLA thread. I stripped the captions just to make sure it wouldn't cheat  :). It correctly identified all five (try to use full-frontals and avoid obliques and profiles).
The alternatives are struggling: Tineye (http://www.tineye.com/) is still around, but Gazopa (http://www.gazopa.com/) is shuttered.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: calphin on August 07, 2011, 12:03:26 AM
Google has finally perfected the searching by images feature. It works pretty good!

http://www.google.com/insidesearch/searchbyimage.html

For Chrome users this is even easier:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dajedkncpodkggklbegccjpmnglmnflm

(The plugin also includes a screenshot app that allows direct upload to Picasa)


Oh my, never knew Google has this facility. This is nice! Thanks Prophet!
I know where we we can use this kind of amazing stuff! *coughTARcoughgamescoughcoughcough*
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: theschnauzers on August 07, 2011, 12:19:12 AM
Facebook is using this Google tool to help its users identify people in photos that they post.  (It is in fact how I found out about TAR 6's Kris and Jon's wedding  a couple of months back because they were identified by their Facebook user name!)
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Prophet on August 07, 2011, 08:04:27 AM
LOL @ Calphin <3

I have used Tineye and it struggles a lot. Google is the only one that does the visually similar feature.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 01, 2011, 12:34:00 AM
Google maps now offers a bird's-eye view of your route: just click the 3D button if you have Google Earth enabled in your browser (here (http://g.co/maps/tkxak) is the route from the airport to Ximen station).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 21, 2011, 01:27:00 AM
For next season: simultaneous social search (http://www.pandia.com/sew/4217-how-to-search-multiple-social-media-sites-at-once.html).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on October 21, 2011, 06:33:00 AM
cool!! Thanks!!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Dom on October 22, 2011, 09:38:19 PM
Google have launched their own flight searching service, which automatically searches for connections, but at the moment it only works for US flights. This will probably not be so useful to detectives who are experienced with geography and general flight patterns, but for people who don't know their Heathrows from their Gatwicks, this could prove invaluable!

http://www.google.com/flights/
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Prophet on January 26, 2012, 01:12:51 PM
Google street view has come to portions of South Korea for the first time:

http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2012/01/take-tour-of-south-korea-using-street.html
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on February 02, 2012, 01:59:45 AM
Quote from: theschnauzers
Hold on, the original video is presumably filmed in HD, right? The problem is that one needs to capture similar high resolution caps of the video in order to enhance it and get closer detail. I'm not blaming anyone who's made caps from video since TAR went to HD, but the recording technology most of us have access to is not in HD, but SD, so we're losing a fair amount of date in the signal translation before the images are captured. Of coursem I have no idea whether the online videos from CBS are HD or not, but I doubt anyone else necessarily has the proper eqipment to capture images from the HD feed. (One way to est this is whether there are such things as Blu-Ray video recorders, and as I recall there are not because the media companies are afraid of the quality of copies that can be made that way. Of course one can pay to download HD versions of the episodes, but those things are memory hogs on computers....about 1 GB for a regular episode of TAR.
A video clip from the CBS site clocks in at 640 X 360 resolution; the same clip, however, offered by CBS through Youtube is available in 720p. It can make a difference, just...not in this case.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: theschnauzers on February 20, 2012, 10:38:53 PM
For future reference, regarding aircraft identification numbers. Each country generally has a unique letter(s) identifier for its aircraft registration number, which have to be visible on the aircraft (planes, jets, balloons, all of 'em). The U.S. prefix is "N". There is a registry which I believe can be accessed online through the Federal Aviation Administration, that is maintained in Oklahoma City, and it will provide you with aircraft type, model, ownership name and address.
I've never had reason to check, but it all likelihood other countries have a similarly accessible registry of such information online.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on February 22, 2012, 10:37:48 AM
Quote
Google street view has come to portions of South Korea for the first time
They have good coverage of Seoul, Busan and Incheon. For everything else, Daum is still the best bet.
Google is advancing on the Eastern Front (http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2012/02/street-view-on-google-maps-comes-to.html); I wonder how Yandex let that happen. And speaking of Yandex, they've created a platform named Reykjavik (http://www.stateofsearch.com/yandex-rolls-out-personalized-search-based-on-language/) which should make English searches easier. And they've expanded their streetview coverage to include some Black Sea resort areas as well as Istanbul and Ankara (but you can't--yet--zoom the map to street level, making the street view useless for our purposes).
In other streetview news, Mapjack has dropped coverage for all except a few spots in Thailand. And the German site Sightwalk dropped its streetview coverage last year due to the privacy controversy in Germany and Switzerland.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on March 24, 2012, 12:30:26 AM
Well, Streetview now covers several areas in Thailand, including Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. This seems like a knockout punch for poor ol' Mapjack (I kind of liked that site). On the bright side, I believe I can pinpoint the Karen village that Neobie was looking for. The cars hang a right at the pictured intersection in Chiang Dao, then a left, then another right: it would seem to be just east of town (kmz attached).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on March 24, 2012, 04:37:19 PM
Wow!! That is awesome!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on August 18, 2012, 07:13:14 PM
For those just jumping into spoiling, this online course (http://www.powersearchingwithgoogle.com/) from Google on advanced searching might help: video lectures, quizzes, etc.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on September 27, 2012, 01:27:36 PM
 :lol:  Every TAR Detective knows about the IMDb.org site.  But did you know about the IMCDb.org? (Internet Movie Car Database)  Yes, you too can research all the various automobiles found in your favorite flick/TV show.

What's that you say?  You're curious about the vehicles seen on TAR?  Well, just click here (http://www.imcdb.org/movie_285335-The-Amazing-Race.html) and enjoy.   :lol3:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on September 27, 2012, 04:51:55 PM
WOw!! You find the best stuff!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on December 08, 2012, 01:46:19 AM
What do you get when you marry auto-suggest and street view? Instant Google Street View (http://www.qsview.com/). It might save some clicks. There are also buttons to generate links and download images.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Plaidmoon on January 20, 2013, 03:30:55 AM
Wikipedia has opened a travel wiki site at http://wikivoyage.org (http://wikivoyage.org). They are claiming that it is in it's infancy and will improve as people add their knowledge. I thought it was pretty good right now for a few places that TAR 22 visited (Maun, Botswana, Bora Bora and Christchurch). However, I checked out some small cities in the fairly rural area that I live in and the pages were barebones and needed more work. I imagine it will get better over time.

Wikivoyage is aimed towards travelers and it has info about how to get somewhere, what to see and good restaurants and hotels. I'd expect this would be useful when we first learn that TAR has gone to a particular location to get a quick overview of the interesting sites in the area where filming may occur. It may also provide some insight as to the travel options (plane, train or bus) into and out of the area.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on February 10, 2013, 12:40:50 AM
This post (http://googletranslate.blogspot.com/2013/02/introducing-our-new-input-tools.html) explains how Google Translate makes it easier to find the virtual keyboards you need; once you've selected the input language, click the drop-down arrow next to the input icon and click on the keyboard symbol.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on February 11, 2013, 07:26:56 AM
Great, we can use that! Thanks Slowhatch!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on May 09, 2013, 12:24:16 AM
The NSA has recently declassified their own detective manual  :gman:  :). Although ancient by internet standards (2007), you might be able to pull some helpful nuggets out of the 600+ pages. Story and download link here (http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/05/nsa-manual-on-hacking-internet/).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 16, 2013, 01:12:17 AM
Wonobo (http://www.wonobo.com/) has just launched, promising street view images of a dozen Indian cities. It's slow and a little buggy, but it's still better than anything Google is offering.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on November 17, 2013, 08:57:31 PM
Neobie just reminded us about City8 for Chinese street view. There's also a new kid on the block: Soso. Here's the Ram statue (http://map.soso.com/?l=132443213) in Guangzhou. Click on the eyeball button (similar to the Daum streetview in Korea) to activate the image-mapping.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: walkingpneumonia on November 26, 2013, 12:33:23 PM
Google Maps has added "Street View transit locations" - street view for airports, train stations, museums.
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?authuser=0&hl=en&mid=zqafVP2X3Jp8.kL0YSq0tl8qw

Because you never know when you might need to look inside the Tenerife Airport or the Ngong Ping Cable Car station.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Neobie on August 11, 2014, 11:10:49 AM
Not exactly on topic, but I don't know where to put this...

How about instead of drunken careening cameramen, we use this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOpwHaQnRSY&feature=youtu.be)?
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: theschnauzers on August 12, 2014, 12:15:06 PM
Essentially those are the GoPro cameras (http://gopro.com/ (http://gopro.com/)); the inventor just took his company public in an IPO, and is a billionaire as a result.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on August 12, 2014, 01:07:07 PM
 ;) speaking of GoPro cameras.... was able to test drive one the other day, and they are everything you would ever want in an "action" camera.  Full HD video (even UHD 4K), 7MB stills, time lapse, HDMI output, and even a wireless remote control.  Bit on the expensive side, considering it's the size of a couple of match boxes.  I can see the attraction to this product, both by the consumers and investors.   :snicker:   

 :hoot:  Edited to add:  GoPro has a "Everything We Make Daily Giveaway" on their website.

http://gopro.com/daily-giveaway

Enter daily to win a GoPro camera, and everything they make.   :yess:  Sounds like a no-brainer.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on August 25, 2014, 12:04:26 PM
 :hoot: Now you can experience the "Sounds of Street View" thanks to the UK company Amplifon. 

http://www.engadget.com/2014/08/25/sounds-of-street-view/

http://www.amplifon.co.uk/sounds-of-street-view/index.html

Get the ambiance of the location you're viewing in Google Maps with the addition of sounds.   :snicker:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on February 08, 2015, 02:47:06 PM
As you may know, Google Earth Pro is now free, and registration is no longer required; download it, then sign in with an email address and the license key GEPFREE. There are a few (not many) Pro features of interest to our work: possibly Viewshed (http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2015/02/google-earth-pro-viewshed-tool.html) and HD Movie Maker.
Also, Bhutan slipped under the streetview radar a few months ago. Here's a viewpoint (https://goo.gl/maps/MiQvi) for traffic control in Thimphu, which claims to be the only world capital without a streetlight.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on February 08, 2015, 02:54:52 PM
oh wow!! Thanks so much!! Bhutan!!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on February 15, 2015, 03:07:25 PM
This post (http://googletranslate.blogspot.com/2013/02/introducing-our-new-input-tools.html) explains how Google Translate makes it easier to find the virtual keyboards you need; once you've selected the input language, click the drop-down arrow next to the input icon and click on the keyboard symbol.

 :)  Google keeps updating Google Translate with even more features since your original posting.  Not only does it have "foreign" keyboard entry but also "handwriting recognition".

Just pull down on the "pencil" icon (select "handwrite") and draw letters/characters via the mouse.  Came in handy for spoiling the latest season of TAR. 
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on February 15, 2015, 03:16:05 PM
oh wow.....  way cool!!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: G.B. on February 16, 2015, 10:51:31 AM
I actually tried to use the Chinese handwriting thing on Google Translate when I was wiki'ing for China Rush, and it did not work at ALL.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on March 31, 2015, 02:00:08 PM

 :waves: Google has turned Google Maps into a fully playable game of Pac-Man (http://www.cnet.com/news/fancy-a-game-of-pac-man-head-to-google-maps/#ftag=CAD590a51e)  :funny: :grins:

Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on April 18, 2015, 01:25:24 AM
Suncalc (http://suncalc.net/#/-7.9035,-78.5647,16/2014.12.04/23:18), a gadget that may make Chateau's job a little easier.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on April 20, 2015, 12:45:20 PM

 :waves: Google now lets you download your search history (http://www.cnet.com/news/google-now-lets-you-download-your-search-history/#ftag=CAD590a51e)

Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on July 08, 2015, 11:51:22 AM
Since the issue of "shopping" has come up again, I thought I would repost a few old links on fakery. The easiest thing for the photo below would be to search Google to see if anybody else has used the image. Failing that, there are a few online sites where you can upload and analyze photos (here's a link (http://fotoforensics.com/analysis.php?id=afcea1fb87b0193df64f78b4c1ea6aa4cc98133a.159338&show=ela) to the analysis page, and here's an explanation (http://fotoforensics.com/tutorial-ela.php) of Error-Level Analysis). You can see the different compression levels for the cluebox.
And for some light reading...you can read about fakery here (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/5-ways-to-spot-a-fake/) and here (http://spie.org/x16032.xml?ArticleID=x16032) and some historical fakes here (http://www.fourandsix.com/photo-tampering-history/).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on February 04, 2016, 11:26:59 PM
The GPO (U.S. Government Printing Office) has created a beta search site GovInfo (https://www.govinfo.gov/) which they hope will turn into a portal for government stuff. A search for
"amazing race" brings up a former congressman praising Phil and his Ride Across America, and a legal dispute I had not heard of before: COWS vs. TAR (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-utd-2_05-cv-00524/pdf/USCOURTS-utd-2_05-cv-00524-0.pdf) (Viacom, specifically)  :). The case was stayed pending the outcome in Canada; it would be interesting to see how it turned out but I don't know how to search Canadian law.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: theschnauzers on February 08, 2016, 02:19:16 PM
I don't have access to Canadian law on lexis.com, but I would suggest trying Google or another search engine with the case name of the Canadian case. That's one way of finding law. A second might be via Wikipedia; either way you may find the entire legal citation (report, volume, starting page and court) and then use that in Google to see if there is an outcome to the case, and what that is.

If you have any of that information from the information you found, get it to me and I'll be glad to see if I can find it.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: theschnauzers on February 08, 2016, 02:24:20 PM
Separate note:

I posted in the TAR 28 promo, clips, commercials thread about the apparent change in the fanny packs that now have "The Amazing Race" on the outside (when properly worn). This seems new, but it can be useful in filming of future seasons for those tracking on the ground (a) to spot Racers and (b) to help ask locals and bystanders about completed Racer activity during or after a leg is filmed.

Sometimes people might notice the fanny packs, and if prompted they just might remember something or confirm Racers or specific Racers were seen.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on February 08, 2016, 05:07:11 PM
Back to the early days....  :res:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: theschnauzers on February 08, 2016, 05:32:00 PM
Back to the early days....  :res:

There's nothing saying that the ways of the early days may still help at times, especially if someone isn't on the scene to track and or record. And we still have legs with very little live feed level info, and that is why it is good to have those fallback methods.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: walkingpneumonia on February 10, 2016, 10:47:46 AM
The GPO (U.S. Government Printing Office) has created a beta search site GovInfo (https://www.govinfo.gov/) which they hope will turn into a portal for government stuff. A search for
"amazing race" brings up a former congressman praising Phil and his Ride Across America, and a legal dispute I had not heard of before: COWS vs. TAR (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-utd-2_05-cv-00524/pdf/USCOURTS-utd-2_05-cv-00524-0.pdf) (Viacom, specifically)  :). The case was stayed pending the outcome in Canada; it would be interesting to see how it turned out but I don't know how to search Canadian law.

Looks like the trademark infringement case was discontinued 2006-05-26 - I'm guessing they settled out of court.:
http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=T-1340-05&select_court=T
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: theschnauzers on February 10, 2016, 06:45:12 PM
The GPO (U.S. Government Printing Office) has created a beta search site GovInfo (https://www.govinfo.gov/) which they hope will turn into a portal for government stuff. A search for
"amazing race" brings up a former congressman praising Phil and his Ride Across America, and a legal dispute I had not heard of before: COWS vs. TAR (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-utd-2_05-cv-00524/pdf/USCOURTS-utd-2_05-cv-00524-0.pdf) (Viacom, specifically)  :). The case was stayed pending the outcome in Canada; it would be interesting to see how it turned out but I don't know how to search Canadian law.

Looks like the trademark infringement case was discontinued 2006-05-26 - I'm guessing they settled out of court.:
http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/IndexingQueries/infp_RE_info_e.php?court_no=T-1340-05&select_court=T

Reading what's given in both the US and Canadian links, looks like Viacom was preparing to sue COWS in Canada, and COW rushed to the courthouse in Utah to file somewhere in the US first (it has a store in Utah although it is a Canadian corporation. The U.S. court didn't feel it could dismiss the U.S. case, but agreed to stay it whie the Canadian case proceeded. Nothing in the Canadian docket sheet for a year when the case there was 'discontinued."  Presumably a settlement, but hard to say what that was. Words alone isn't enough in trademark infringement, graphics and locales of marketing come into play. Since Canada got its own TAR franchise a few years later, it was important for Viacom (which then still included CBS) to protect the value of TAR's trademarks, which likely explained the lawsuit in the first place. (The first franchises for TAR came about the time the lawsuits were settled.)
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on April 22, 2016, 08:28:06 PM
Google has released a little Youtube geo-search tool here (http://youtube.github.io/geo-search-tool/search.html). I'm not too impressed so far. I gave it a simple task--find Robertino's video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx4umsGuPwY). I couldn't do it in a simple search--even with a custom date range. Only when I left the location field blank and
entered "amazing race Argentina" as keywords did it move to the front of the class.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on May 26, 2016, 01:28:29 PM

Nothing really new with Google's searching for photos, but latest Chrome 51.x.x.x browser has made it a little more convenient with a "right click" menu item which let's you "Search Google for image" by simply right clicking the picture....  It's not perfect, but could save TAR detectives some time in looking for clues.

Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on July 27, 2016, 11:02:21 PM
A tutorial post (https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/how-tos/2014/07/09/a-beginners-guide-to-geolocation/) about geolocation--simple stuff for us, but I thought I'd throw in a quiz as well.
The Circumnavigators Club (http://circumnavigators.org/), which awards the Order of Magellan, wants help in locating a photo (see under "The Last Shot"). It took me about 25 minutes to nail down the country and region, and another half-hour to get the exact location (I'm slowing down in my old age  :)). Best of luck.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on October 08, 2016, 10:12:03 PM
Bye-bye Panoramio (http://www.panoramio.com/maps-faq).  :dontgo:
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on October 13, 2016, 10:26:44 AM

If y'all were like me and ditched Flash Player plug-ins for my browsers (following security warnings) there was no way to view the embedded Flash (.flv) clips littered throughout the RFF forums.  Well, that was until now.  It appears that the latest version of the Chrome 54 rewrites YouTube Flash players to use the YouTube HTML5 embed style (on-the-fly).

I tested it on the BB forum, where tons of embedded Flash prevails, and every one was converted and ready to view in a HTML5 player.  Cool!

So once you remove all traces of Flash Player from your computer, you can download Chrome 54 and view the embedded Flash via the added security of a HTML5 viewer. (The HTML5 player has a slightly different look from the Flash player, or just "right click" the player to see if it's switched).

Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on November 22, 2016, 12:13:47 AM
Mapillary is a new contender in the streetview world. The interface and photography are a little crude right now, but it covers several places Google doesn't, like Dar Es Salaam (https://www.mapillary.com/app/?lat=-6.823490000000021&lng=39.269510000000025&z=12&menu=false&focus=map).
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: G.B. on January 09, 2017, 03:44:38 PM
Would anyone here like to help contribute to our wiki? Due to spam, user creation has been limited somewhat, but if you send myself or walkingpneumonia a PM, we will be able to create one for you to be able to log in with. Please include an e-mail address, so that you can set your own personal password.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on January 26, 2017, 09:00:35 PM
Too little, too late, but I thought I'd mention it anyway...
TheFilmLocations (https://thefilmlocations.com/) is a search engine specifically for Bureau of Land Management permits. Searching for WRP Group will get you Whitewater (CA) and Gemini Bridges (UT); searching for WorldRace Productions will bring up Pahrump Dry Lake. BLM uses the PLSS (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Land_Survey_System) system, but there's no need to learn it as maps and lat/long are included.
On a different note, if you need a time-waster before TAR airs, Pursued (http://pursued.nemesys.hu/) (you can ignore the app/plugin and just play off the webpage) will keep your Streetview skills in fettle.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Boingo on March 24, 2017, 03:01:45 PM
Attention all you Flash die-hard fans....   :dancer:

FedEx will pay you $5 to use Flash Player in your browser.

here's the info (https://www.cnet.com/news/fedex-will-pay-you-5-to-use-adobe-flash-on-your-browser/#ftag=CAD590a51e) 
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: claude_24hrs on March 29, 2017, 05:24:05 AM
As for Flightstats addicts there for historical flight data usage (https://beta.flightstats.com/subscription), there is a LIFETIME subscription for $2.99/standard and $24.99/professional.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on March 29, 2017, 10:13:02 AM
oooooh.  thanks claude!!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on January 28, 2018, 02:11:45 AM
Mapy.cz is trying to create a 3D map for all of Czechia. Description here (https://www.melown.com/post/2017/08/11/mapycz-country-wide-3D-model.html), sample map here (https://mapy.cz/zakladni?x=14.4135688&y=50.0877584&z=16&m3d=1&height=1247&yaw=-1.552&pitch=-89.75&l=0). It was a bit slow to load on my computer; once it loads, navigation keys are at the bottom. Think of it like Google Earth, only with more detail and color.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on March 20, 2018, 12:59:46 PM
Quote from: GeorgiaPeach
What do I use to open a kml file? ???
Besides what's already been mentioned, there's a beta feature in Google Earth for Chrome
https://www.google.com/earth/  (you don't have to install anything if you already have Chrome)
1. Open GE in Chrome and click Menu>Settings
2. At the bottom you'll see "Enable KML file import (experimental)" Turn it on and click Save.
3. Click My Places>Import KML File  and find the TAR30 file you saved.
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: georgiapeach on March 20, 2018, 03:20:15 PM
oooh, that makes it easy! Thank you!!
Title: Re: Technical notes
Post by: Slowhatch on June 24, 2020, 09:24:51 PM
Mapillary (https://www.mapillary.com/app/?lat=20&lng=0.0001&z=1.5&focus=map) has been an interesting alternative to Google Streetview. Now it's been swallowed by Facebook (https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/18/mapillary-facebook/). I hope it will stay open for us non-FB folk.