The European Commission Joint Research Center (JRC) Institute for Environment and Sustainability has two vacancies for Post-Doc Researchers:

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Integrated Quantitative and Qualitative Information

The Grantholder will work in an exploratory research project which aims to demonstrate how information volunteered by the public can be quality controlled and used to complement official sources in the context of forest fires.

The project has four objectives:

1. To develop, test, and deploy workflows able to quality control volunteered geographic information.
2. To assess the value of volunteered geographic information in supporting both early warning, and local impact assessments of forest fires.
3. To develop novel analytical and visualization techniques to communicate more effectively to the general public the concepts of risk.
4. To advance spatial and temporal analysis of integrated quantitative and qualitative information.

The Grantholder will work in a team and contribute specifically to Objective 4 above. The ideal candidate has a PhD in geographic information science, environmental or social science, (or a university degree in these disciplines and 5 years research experience after the university degree giving access to doctoral studies).

Practical experience in spatio-temporal analysis is required as well as a good knowledge of spoken and written English.

• More information [PDF]

Risk Mapping and Visualisation of Fuzzy Concepts

The Grantholder will work in an exploratory research project which aims to demonstrate how information volunteered by the public can be quality controlled and used to complement official sources in the context of forest fires.

The project has four objectives:

1. To develop, test, and deploy workflows able to quality control volunteered geographic information.
2. To assess the value of volunteered geographic information in supporting both early warning, and local impact assessments of forest fires.
3. To develop novel analytical and visualization techniques to communicate more effectively to the general public the concepts of risk.
4. To advance spatial and temporal analysis of integrated quantitative and qualitative information.

The Grant Holder will work in a team and contribute specifically to Objective 3 above.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in geographic information science, computer science or engineering, (or a university degree in these disciplines and 5 years research experience after the university degree giving access to doctoral studies).

Practical experience in the analysis and visualization of fuzzy concepts like risk is required as well as a good knowledge of spoken and written English.

• More information [PDF]

The deadline for receipt of applications is 15th December 2009 at 12:00 a.m. Milan time

SDI #469

20 Questions inspired at long, long last:

1. What is the real legacy of Richard Hall?

2. What was, and is, Richard Hall’s reward?

3. What is owed Richard Hall?

4. Where is Richard Hall Found?

5. Did Richard Hall know science and internalize its philosophy?

6. Did Richard Hall put his faith in the system even as it abused him?

7. Is the contribution of Richard Hall as yet fully realized?

8. A question not asked, though begged, is who needs to grovel at the feet of the memory of Richard Hall in the first place and wash their feet before standing on the shoulders of same, in the second?

9. Why can Richard Hall, like James McDonald, be forgiven, even congratulated, for the only flaw either of them had in equal measure?

10. Are UFO organizations set against one another, past, present, and future, by the admitted non-admitted unilateral, even fascist, government?

11. Are UFOs ignored because they are too “hard” to countenance? How hard is it, and what groups find it hardest?

12. What did Richard Hall find objectionable in Ufology?

13. Has David Cherniack produced a 3 DVD box set of his, UFOs – The Secret History, and does it contain a collection of credible Ufologists seldomheard from but as significant as any?

14. What is the impact of UFOs – The Secret History?

15. Is the economy good or bad for UFOs?

16. How close to “the truth” is UFOs – The Secret History?

17. Has UFOs – The Secret History, gotten any untoward attention from irksome klasskurtxians? If not why not?

18. Is the late abductioneer John Mack heavily featured in the bonus discs for UFOs – The Secret History, among significant others?

19. Is the extraterrestrial hypothesis examined in a scholarly manner within the bonus discs?

20. Is, apart from the documentary proper, rabid speculation rationally regarded in the bonus discs?

Zounds and Mirgatroid listener, but over an hour of graspable outré remains?

Cherniack continues and Lonnie Zamora and Mac Tonnies are remembered. In one of the several clips provided… Errol’s Bobbi makes her report regarding oddnesses from back in the day vicinity “Go Home Lake,” in Canada… Grant Cameron reveals one Turner Holt, President Roosevelt and hisSecretary of State Cordell Hall -and Holt’s cousin- involving proclaimed aliens in big glass jugs and a crashed saucer in the Capital Building of the time, 1935.

“Somebody should know about this stuff,” Holt’s lucid, moral,and now elderly daughters report… …plus Lehmberg walks you to your carriage outside ranting the usual jeremiad of buxom seditions and unsubtle heresies…

…Ufological sensibilities empowered are the listener’s own! Subscribe!

http://www.virtuallystrange.net/ufo/sdi/program/

Know your toad responsibly.

alienview@roadrunner.com
www.AlienView.net
AVG Blog — http://alienviewgroup.blogspot.com/

U F O M a g a z i n e — www.ufomag.com

From The Redlands Institute at the University of Redlands, a demonstration of a set of web-based GIS tools developed to support the Regional Water Quality Control Board: Region 7. These tools allow the user to explore water quality and land use information in the region.

“The International Geospatial Society is a new venture of the GSDI Association to establish and support an international community of individual specialists and professionals with geospatial, spatial data infrastructure, GIS and related interests. The goal is to engage and enhance communications internationally among individuals that are actively involved in promoting, developing, or advancing spatial data infrastructure and affiliated concepts. The benefits of joining are listed at http://geospatialsociety.org or http://www.igeoss.org. Join now to have a voice and be actively engaged in developing the bylaws and operating procedures.”

The Fiberlink® 3360 Series allows you to transmit 3G, HD or SD-SDI as per SMPTE 424M-2006, 292 and 259 with the ability to embed up to 8 channels (4 pairs) of AES/EBU digital audio. Convenient switches on the 3360 Series transmitter allow the operator to embed each of the four pairs of audio independently, to strip previously serialized audio, or to pass it through without modification. At the receive end of the fiber optic link, the operator can decide which audio pairs they need de-embedded.

Audio signals are not required to operate the Fiberlink® 3360 link and it can be used as a stand-alone 3G/HD/SD-SDI optical link. Previously serialized data is left intact throughout the entire transmission process and the 3360 Series is immune to pathological signals over the entire budget link and operating temperature range.

Signals are equalized and re-clocked prior to fiber optic transmission and the 3361 receiver features a re-clocked SDI output.

The 3360 Series is compliant with SMPTE 297-2006 and has the ability to operate seamlessly with Fiberlink® Matrix and other SMPTE 297-2006 fiber optic compliant devices.

Available in card versions and a small footprint box version, it is ideal for broadcast or corporate studios, OB vans, rental and staging, auditoriums, stadiums and theaters, airport or transportation hubs, distance learning, surgical or medical imaging and more!

The Fiberlink® 3350 Series allows you to transmit 3G, HD or SD-SDI as per SMPTE 424M-2006, 292 and 259, with or without embedded audio and data, as well as DVB-ASI over one single mode or multimode fiber. Signals are equalized and re-clocked prior to fiber optic transmission. The 3350 transmitter features a re-clocked and equalized SDI loop through and the 3351 receiver features two re-clocked and equalized SDI outputs.

The 3350 Series is compliant with SMPTE 297-2006 and has the ability to operate seamlessly with Fiberlink® Matrix and other SMPTE 297-2006 fiber optic compliant devices.

The 3350 Series is immune to pathological signals over the entire budget link and operating temperature range.

Available in card versions and a small footprint box version, it is ideal for broadcast or corporate studios, OB vans, rental and staging, auditoriums, stadiums and theaters, airport or transportation hubs, distance learning, surgical or medical imaging and more!

Embed and de-embed AES/EBU Audio with your SDI

It’s interesting that there is no agreement among agencies as to the exact definition of Respiratory Minute Volume (RMV) and Surface Air Consumption (SAC).

My original certification agency, NASDS, defined SAC as the surface equivalent number of PSI per minute on a dive, which is (PSI Consumed/Total Dive Time)/((33+Depth)/33).

IANTD does the same thing, and defines RMV as the SAC/(Working Pressure/Rated Cylinder Volume).

DSAT defines SAC as the same as IANTD and NASDS defines RMV, and defines RMV is the (Tidal Volume minus Respiratory dead air space) times breaths/minute. I added the parenthesis to what I read in the book (p42 Tec Deep Diver Manual) because otherwise it doesn’t make any sense. Oddly the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving doesn’t seem to mention either term. Wikipedia’s definition of RMV is similar to DSAT but doesn’t factor Respiratory Dead Air Space.

In the SDI solo diving course SAC is defined as the volume per minute consumed at rest on the surface. They recommend breathing from a tank while sitting around watching TV or like activity to measure this. For me, consuming about 325 PSI of a 3000 PSI working pressure tank with a rated volume of 77.4 cubic feet in 30 minutes, this was about .28 cubic feet per minute. They call what IANTD and NASDS call RMV the SRMV, or Surface Respiratory Minute Volume. They then go on to recommend that before each dive the RMV by multiplying by the number of absolute atmospheres of pressure and also by a “Dive Factor”, which takes into account effort and should be at least 1.5 for an easy dive, and perhaps more than 3 for a high effort, cold or stressful dive.

Disconcertingly, their sister agency, TDI, recommends determining SAC using a swim at depth, the very thing that SDI says doesn’t work, and implies that RMV is just another term for SAC.

0.28 seems a bit low. I think having the reg in my mouth called attention to my breathing and slowed it down some. At 33 feet a tank would last over 2 hours at that rate, although my record is about an hour and 20 minutes on a reef dive (and 1h 40 in really shallow water) on a single 80 so maybe it’s not all that far fetched. I know when it’s cold and I’m working a bit hard the rate goes way, way up.

It would be nice to have a consensus between agencies on this topic. Maybe ISO will define it some day.

…from CIOL…

“Kerala Government has taken the lead to create, maintain and deliver geospatial data and metadata for their external clients, in real time. It has announced setting up of a Spatial Data Infrastructure called Kerala State Spatial Data Infrastructure (KSSDI) and has already approved Rs.9.37 crore for the project, said a press release issued today.

“The objective of the SSDI is to provide a basis for spatial data discovery, evaluation and application for users and providers within all levels of government, the commercial sector, the non-profit sector, academia and by citizens in general.

“The Geo portal once set up will allow the users spread across the Internet, to view and query the spatial information and the related maps. KSSDI will act as a web-gateway to access geospatial data content with facility to search, locate and publish geospatial data which the end users can access, download, integrate, share and publish in response to the needs of diverse user groups. The portal will maintain process, store, distribute and improve the utilization of geo-spatial data for planners, decision makers and public, said the release.”

• Read the article
  

A Subseção Especializada em Dissídios Individuais do Tribunal Superior do Trabalho (SBDI-2) manteve a decisão que julgou improcedente a reclamação de dois empregados da Empresa de Fomento da Informática do Estado de Pernambuco (Fisepe), que pleiteavam a estabilidade no emprego sem concurso público. Eles entraram tardiamente com embargos de declaração contra decisão regional que reverteu sentença que lhes era favorável, registrou o relator da matéria, ministro Emmanoel Pereira.

O descontentamento dos empregados emergiu após o Tribunal Regional da 6ª Região (PE) ter reconhecido as razões expostas na ação rescisória em que a empresa sustentava que a sentença considerando a estabilidade dos empregados com base em leis estaduais ofendia a Constituição e violava dispositivo de lei federal. Tendo sido mantida mesmo após a interposição de embargos, os empregados insistiram em tentar revertê-la. Para isso, entraram no TST com recurso ordinário em ação rescisória, alegando a decadência da rescisão e afirmando que tinham direito à reintegração ao emprego.

Ao analisar o recurso na SDI, o ministro Emmanoel Pereira verificou que os embargos estavam intempestivos, isto é, haviam sido interpostos após o prazo legal permitido para este fim: a decisão foi publicada em 05 de abril e os embargos de declaração, no dia 12. O relator informou que como a “interposição intempestiva dos embargos de declaração não produz efeito interruptivo de prazo recursal”, o recurso ordinário está também intempestivo, ainda que tenha sido “interposto no oitavo dia posterior à publicação do acórdão por meio do qual se julgaram os ditos embargos de declaração”.

Ainda que o regional tenha declarado que os embargos estavam tempestivos, prosseguiu o relator, fica evidente que se trata de “equívoco que repercute na análise da tempestividade do presente recurso ordinário”. E acrescentou que a tempestividade é pressuposto extrínseco de admissibilidade recursal, tal como disposto no artigo 895, “b”, da CLT, e consiste, pois, em matéria de ordem pública que deve ser analisada de ofício pelo órgão julgador”. A decisão foi aprovada pela maioria dos ministro da SDI, que manifestaram o entendimento de que deve prevalecer a segurança jurídica, no caso, compreendida nos prazos recursais. (ROAR-82-2004-000-06-00.1)

(Mário Correia)

Fonte: TST.

“You can’t buy SDI [Spatial Data Infrastructure].  You have to build it.”

–Jack Dangermond

No, this isn’t a harangue about “same day, same ocean” dive buddies. I’ll save that for another time. On Saturday (October 30th) we headed up to Big Bay Point to finish our solo diving course. The purpose of the in-water exercises is to promote self sufficiency. For this reason, we spent some enjoyable moments having our air shut off, are masks removed, and ourselves entangled in line.

We all had our own issues. I’d not thought everything through properly. I took the backup reg set from my technical setup for the AL80 on my back, and one of my deco regs for the pony. I’d not realized that this would only give me one LP inflator, which meant that with my dry suit I’d have nothing to use for my BC. It had been 26 years since I’d dived using oral inflate only but rather than switching over to my recreational reg with its “extra” second stage, I decided it would be good practice to try it on this dive. Despite what you might read about *OMS) bungeed wings being impossible to inflate orally, I had no problem with it, although I did have to blow a little harder than with a regular wing.

After dropping my pony bottle (more like a quarter-horse bottle as I used my Faber steel 45) on the bottom, I did my giant-stride off the end of the dock and releasing the minimum amount of air to submerge, fetched it and hooked it on to my BC while swimming out to the descent line.

The first exercise was replacing my mask with my spare. I was glad to do this as while I always carry one, I’ve never actually practiced replacing it. I didn’t find it difficult, although it took a while to get the pocket open, retrieve the mask, orient it properly and put in on. The first time through this exercise we were on the bottom. Following that we did the out of air drills. This didn’t go so well. Inadvertently I’d looped the regulator hose around the bottom clip, so it would not pull out. So I had to lean forward to keep the reg in my mouth while I unclipped the tank to free the hose. Manageable, I suppose, but not something you’d want to have occur in a real out-of-air situation.

After that, we did the same drills while swimming, with our friendly divemasters shutting our air down or removing our masks at various times. The hardest thing was maintaining depth without a mask. I could feel the air expanding in my dry suit and quickly moved to dump some air. I felt like I was still ascending but emptied my lungs and found that I was at about the same depth once my mask was back on as when I started. Looking at my computer log it there only seems to be small incursions so my perceptions were no-doubt amplified by my imagination.

Solo Dive

We also had lines tied around us and masses of silt blinding our vision. Perfect for a day’s outing. Both the water and the air were about 11 degrees C (52-53 F). There was little evidence of a thermocline down to 63 feet, although I’m sure we would have hit one if we went a little deeper.

That’s fall diving in Ontario, and why we like our dry suits.

Anyway, congratulations to Marty, Steve, Rich and Carlos on becoming SDI solo divers.

We all know that good communication is the key to fruitful relationships in all areas of our lives. However, there is a particular obstacle to this, in that we all see the world through a different set of lenses. Our individual view of the world determines our behaviour and communication and how we then interpret the behaviour and communication of others. Everything we observe is filtered through our own value systems, which can mean we misinterpret the actions of others, thus causing conflict.

Have you ever been on a motorway and had a driver right up against your back bumper, flashing their headlights to get past. What do you think at that point ? Probably something quite negative and unprintable ! You might stay put in your lane to block them (with or without an appropriate gesture !)  or be intimidated to move over. How would you feel if you knew that person had a sick child in the car and was rushing them to hospital ? Probably a much different emotion, and you would gladly move over ?

Therefore, imagine how relationships could be improved if we knew what was driving what people do and say ?  Imagine what it would be like to truly understand what makes us and others tick.

Psychologist Dr Elias Porter developed a simple to use method for people to gain emotional intelligence and understand their own  “motivational value systems” (MVS) and interpret the MVS of others.

It is called ”SDI” (Strength Deployment Inventory) and is a hugely effective way of improving relationships, managing conflict, improving team performance and providing insightful training for customer service, sales and many other relationship based activities. Because of the need for supreme teamwork, it is actually used as a compulsory part of basic training in the RAF.

In a nutshell, individuals or teams complete a questionnaire identifying how they would behave in a number of situations, both when they are feeling good about themselves and “on form” but also when faced with conflict, stress and more negative emotions.

From the questionnaire, their “Motivational Value System (MVS)” is identified in the form of a colour or blend of colours. The MVS is the deeply held values that drive a persons behaviour, which can change when the person is faced with conflict or stressful situations. It is thought that a persons MVS is formed at an early age ;  “show me the boy and I will show you the man”. It is unlikely to change unless an individual goes through a major life-changing experience. However, that does not mean that behaviour and personality do not change. We as humans have a great ability to adapt, but the theory is that our deep down values remain fairly constant through life.

By recognising your own MVS colour and that of those around you, you are able to understand better what drives behaviour and how to interact with people positively and effectively.

SDI also allows us to be more self-aware and manage our strengths and weaknesses. Have a think about this statement. “A weakness is merely an overdone strength in the eyes of someone else”. For example the strength of thoroughness if overdone, could be seen as the weakness of slowness by someone with a different value system.

Depicting the MVS in colours makes SDI memorable, easy to apply and fun to learn. It creates a common language for those who have been “SDI’d” to explore why they and others behave, communicate and react to situations the way they do.

So how does the training work ? SDI is ideal for team based training but also for one to one coaching, particularly if an individual is having problems with relationships and communication. Firstly delegates complete the SDI questionnaire to identify their MVS. In a team based session all the MVS results would be plotted on a wall chart for the team to take away.

Each colour or blend of colours would then be explained to the group who can also spend time reading up on their MVS and that of colleagues in the course pack. A discussion can then take place about the profile of the team, what strengths each colour brings to the party and where the teams “blind spots” could be.

The training is rounded off by using the new-found insights in some group exercises, dividing the delegates into groups of particular MVS values. Some fascinating and fun sessions usually ensue as you see the different value systems interacting and debating.

So how does this benefit an organisation ? Employees will have increased emotional intelligence,which will improve the quality of working relationships and reduce conflict. Improved relationships and teamwork will no doubt lead to increased productivity, creativity and a positive impact on bottom line profit.

So to summarise, although unfortunately people do not come with instruction manuals, there is SDI !!

If you would like to find out more about the SDI, Target HR are accredited to facilitate the SDI material in both 121 coaching and group workshops and would be delighted to talk to business owners and managers about how it could help improve their business performance.

 Contact Les Potton Chartered FCIPD ACII on 07533 161310 or

 les@target-hr.co.uk

 www.target-hr.co.uk                 

USGS and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) formally announced their request for proposals to support the 2010 National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Cooperative Agreements Program (CAP).  With over $1.3 million spread across seven categories, the 2010 NSDI CAP will award an estimated 31 innovative projects in the geospatial data community. The goals of the awarded projects will be to develop partnerships and to build new and improve existing geospatial infrastructure necessary to effectively discover, access, share, manage and use geospatial assets.

In 2009, NSDI CAP awarded a total of 25 projects, totaling close to $1.3 million.  One of the 2009 categories is helping States develop strategic and business plans that will support the coordination of programs, policies, technologies, and resources related to all aspects of geospatial information.  See the full list of the 2009 NSDI CAP projects online.

To date the annual NSDI CAP awards have supported metadata creation and service, outreach and coordination, standards implementation, partnership development, State strategic and business plan development, map and geospatial data services deployment, geo-enablement of data, and NSDI training.  All levels of government, academia, and private sector have participated in this national effort to implement the NSDI.  Since 1994 CAP awards have played a substantial role in advancing and propagating the tenets of the NSDI to thousands of practitioners.

2010 NSDI CAP proposals need to be submitted via Grants.gov by January 7, 2010.  The awarded projects scheduled to be announced by USGS/FGDC contracts officer in February 2010 with obligated work to begin on each project by September 30, 2010.  More information is available at the FGDC proposal submissions site.  To apply go to grants.gov.

The FGDC, which is hosted by the USGS, sponsors the NSDI CAP to promote the technologies, standards, best practices and organizational collaboration vital to data integration, partnerships for data investment and speedy delivery of geospatial products to support government.

For more information on this program, please contact Gita Urban-Mathieux: burbanma@usgs.gov or 703-648-5175. For further information on FGDC NSDI CAP Grants: www.fgdc.gov; contact the FGDC Secretariat, c/o U.S. Geological Survey, 590 National Center, Reston, VA 20192; fax 703-648-5755.

[Source: USGS news release]

A privatização de sociedade de economia mista e a permanência de empregado na empresa tornam válido contrato de trabalho tido como nulo por ausência de concurso público. Esse foi o fundamento pelo qual a Subseção I Especializada em Dissídios Individuais do Tribunal Superior do Trabalho (SBDI-1) negou recurso de embargos da Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, mantendo, portanto, decisões anteriores que reconhecem o vínculo de emprego e a existência de sucessão trabalhista.

Segundo a relatora do recurso, ministra Cristina Peduzzi, a decisão da Sexta Turma de negar o recurso de revista da empresa não precisaria de reforma, uma vez que esta confirmou o entendimento da SBDI-1, segundo o qual a privatização de sociedade de economia mista convalida, desde o início, o contrato de trabalho, anulado por ausência de concurso público. O caso envolve sucessão trabalhista (artigos 10 e 448 da CLT), pois houve mudança da natureza jurídica da empresa e a continuidade da prestação dos serviços – o que afasta a aplicação dos princípios relativos à contratação do servidor pela administração pública, garantindo os efeitos decorrentes da relação de trabalho.

O trabalhador foi contratado pela Companhia Vale do Rio Doce na função de motorista, para transporte de pessoal e pequenas cargas, quando a empresa ainda fazia parte da administração pública indireta. Após sua demissão, com a empresa já privatizada, o motorista ajuizou ação trabalhista requerendo o reconhecimento de vínculo de emprego e o consequente pagamento de verbas rescisórias como 13º salário, férias, adicional noturno e horas extras.

A sentença da 6ª Vara do Trabalho de Vitória (ES) foi favorável ao funcionário, o que levou a empresa a recorrer, sucessivamente, ao Tribunal Regional da 17ª Região (ES) e ao TST. No entanto, as alegações de nulidade do contrato de trabalho e do vínculo de emprego, pela falta de concurso público, nos termos da Constituição Federal, foram rejeitadas em todas as instâncias. (E-ED-RR-1.010/2000-006-17-00.6)

(Alexandre Caxito)

Fonte: TST.

A day of firsts  - not all welcome.   The first signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Indian Renewable Energy Ministry and any UK administration.   The first meeting between a Scottish Minister and the Secretary of the Indian Foreign Ministry.  The first Scottish Government Ministerial visit to Kolkata.

But – the first time I have ever been stuck in a lift.   And the first time (in twenty years – it happened once in St Louis)  I have lost my luggage .

The Exchange of Documents.

The good ones to start with.   The Memorandum of Understanding agreed between myself and Dr Farooq Abdullah, the Minister for New and Renewable Energies starts the process of building relationships and projects in this vital field.  The signing was held in the Ministry in front of their senior officials and scientists and everyone is keen to take collaboration forward.  The British High Commissioner (above left) was also present.  Neither of us look as if we spent some anxious minutes stuck in a lift prior to my meeting with Dr Abdullah, with the fan running down and no idea where we were.   Fortunately we were only a couple of feet off the first floor and the doors were soon forced open.

The Ministry for External Affairs

Then it was off to the Ministry of External Affairs, housed in the magnificent Lutyens complex surrounding the Presidential Palace.   The conversation with the Secretary of the Department was wide ranging and informative , touching on a whole variety of concerns shared by our two countries.    In particular we considered areas of common interest with regard to Climate Change and the progress being made in Scotland and India.

Two media interviews at the British HIgh Commission rounded off the Delhi trip.  One was with an old friend – Dean Nelson who used to be based in Scotland but who is now South Asia Editor for the Telegraph.   The other was from a new

Meeting Utpal Bhaskar from mint

business newspaper, Mint, which is partnered with the Wall Street Journal and which is one of six business newspapers in India.   Their journalist, Utpal Bhaskar , was sharp and well informed.  His piece should be interesting.

Our subsequent journey to the airport was through a number of traffic jams – getting worse as Diwali approaches.  The flight to Kolkata was full, but uneventful and we were met at Kolkata airport by Mustaq Birader who is the Deputy Head of Mission for the UK Government in Kolkata.   After half an hour waiting for the luggage we were shown to our cars, where alas it became apparent that my suitcase was not waiting to be loaded up.   It transpired that it was still in the hotel in Delhi, having been missed when all the luggage was collected for transit.   So as I write this I am waiting for the only clothes I have to be taken away and freshened up for tomorrow , when – I am assured – my suitcase will arrive though not until mid morning !

The journey in from the airport was lengthy but livened up by the police four by fours front and rear of our little convoy, with lights flashing and sirens blaring.   They also accompanied us later as we went out for dinner to a wonderful local restaurant.  And they brought us back to the hotel not half an hour ago !

Tomorrow is a very busy day.   A culture day, almost entirely, but the business interests we are trying to help will not be forgotten because Mark Hallan the SDI man in India is still with us.   Frank  Boyland, the  SDI Director for the whole of Asia  has left us though as have the two Delhi employees , Rooma and Punita.   Thanks to all of them – this is the group photo !

Mark, Rooma, Punita and Frank - thanks....

“Directions Media will join with GITA to co-host the 2009 Rocket City Geospatial Conference on November 17th in Huntsville, Alabama.

“Our keynote speaker is Learon Dalby, National States Geographic Information Council president and GIS Program Manager for the State of Arkansas.

“We invite you to participate by submitting a presentation on a broad spectrum of topics related to geospatial technology with particular emphasis on issues important to the Southeastern U.S. Topics of special interest include:

• Spatial Data Infrastructure
• Infrastructure Management
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Initiatives
• Sustainable Development and “Smart Growth Strategies”
• Critical Infrastructure Protection

Submit an abstract

I am on my way to see the author William Dalrymple , who has kindly invited us to his farm outside Delhi for the evening.  So perhaps the quickest way to blog at the moment is to give you a day in pictures:

10:00 am: Mr Sunil Munjal, Chairman HeroITES - Hero is the largest Indian investor in Scotland and owns TSC , a Scottish call centre business with offices in Rothesay, Dunoon, Larbert, Stornoway, Aviemore, Erskine and Kilmarnock

12:00 : Rahul Dhir, CEO of Cairn India with two of their Scottish employees, Colin McIntyre and Alan Crighton. Cairn has firm Scottish roots and is responsible for 20% of Indian Oil and Gas production. The wheel is the one that the Indian Prime Minister turned to start oil flowing into the major new pipeline in June this year

2.30 : Ujwal Niketan Orphanage where PSN and Cairn ex pat employees have been instrumental in the building of a new dormitory for abandoned and orphaned children from Gurgaon.

The official opening , which I undertook with a little help from one of the girls.

You may have no idea where tapioca comes from - but honestly, it comes from these tapioca trees, the first I have ever seen and growing (for food purposes) at the orphanage.

4.45: Meeting with Kapil Sibal, Minister for Human Resource Development . Minister Sibal is engaged on a programme of reform and modernisation and there will be opportunities for partnership with Scottish academic institutions and Scottish education providers. He is also a writer and poet (we exchanged copies of our own books) and his plans for a UNESCO Tagore commemoration in 2011 will be supported enthusiastically by the Scottish Government.

The October 2009 SCDI Trade Delegation

The dinner for the SCDI delegation was an enjoyable event, and we had a good question and answer session at the end, which included contributions from a range of delegates.  Topics covered ranged from educational collaboration with India to the production of counterfeit goods (there is  allegedly more whisky labelled “Scottish” drunk in India than the entire production of every distillery in Scotland !)   The Commonwealth Games was also a major issue for discussion with the handover being of particular importance.   But there may also be opportunities for Scottish companies at the Delhi Games, and contracts for tender will shortly be advertised in key areas.

Pre and post dinner conversation took place on a roof terrrace and it was still warm when we concluded.   And it was warm again as the Scottish Government group set out for the British High  Commission and breakfast with the High Commissioner, Sir Dickie Stagg.

The High Commissioner was very helpful and informative, drawing out a detailed portrait of Indian politics and Indian opportunities.  The relationship between his office, the UKTI  Director in India Jane Owen and the SDI officials in India, led by Mark Hallan seems to be very positive and mutually beneficial.

Then it was off to the Culture Ministry for a conversation with Jawhar Sircar , the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture which lies within the Prime Minister’s department, just as Scotland’s Cultural Ministry lies within the First Minister’s portfolio.

Jawhar Sircar at the Indian Cultural Ministry.

We discussed a range of topics including digitisation of monuments (the “Scottish 10″ project), literary exchanges and translations, the Scots influence in Kolkata and performers from both countries featuring at each other’s festivals.   There were, at the end, plenty of points for further action and the beginning of a framework for longer term co-operation.

Later today I will be meeting the Minister for Human Resources Development, witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding about Education and meeting a major investor in Scotland as well as being part of fire-eating, bagpipe music and been playing.    More about that later !

Scuba Diving International, commonly known as SDI, is the only agency that I know of that has a solo diver certification. SDI also has a well-known technical diving sister company called TDI, and the two agencies share a web site.

I’ve signed up for this course, after receiving an offer I couldn’t refuse from Brad at my local dive shop, and have reviewed the entire book, the “SDI Solo Diving Manual”. It is full of sensible advice, and sits about 1/3 of the way between normal recreational diving practices and the technical diving techniques I learned in the IANTD Advanced Nitrox Course and the DSAT Tec Deep Course. The bottom line is a higher level of dive planning – including gas planning, emphasis on self-control as a prerequisite to self-reliance, and redundant equipment including a secondary air source, reel and SMB, and a spare mask. I carry a reel, SMB and spare mask on almost all dives, solo or otherwise.

While I feel the content of the course was pretty good,  I was surprised by the number of errors in the book, ranging from poor use of commas (placing a comma between the subject and the verb, for instance) to mathematical errors (Conversion of metres to atmospheres by adding 1 to the depth and dividing by 10). At one point it casually introduces the concept of deep stops by recommending them to be added to the US Navy tables (good idea) without mentioning that the stop should be added to bottom time, as the Navy tables require a 30 foot/min ascent rate. Not that I would ever use the Navy tables unless I was in a real hurry to get out of the water for safety reasons. I’m not a super fit somewhat expendable 25 year-old with a recompression chamber available at all times.

Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to the course, and will write to SDI with my list of errata so they can hopefully do a better job with the next edition. One thing I like is that I have all the equipment I need already.

The Geoinformatics Forum (GI_Forum) focuses on an international audience that shares an interest in Applied Geoinformatics. This Call for Papers aims at researchers who design, develop and apply advanced methods and techniques of Geoinformatics to a broad range of application domains.

GI_Forum solicits contributions on emerging topics and research outcomes related to current Geoinformatics methodology, and especially wishes to attract submissions pertaining to the following topics:

• Advances in Geovisualization and Cartography (in cooperation with InterCarto-InterGIS)
• Spatial Data Infrastructure
• Mobile GIS and Location Based Services
• Digital Terrain Representation and Analysis
• Digital Cities and Urban Sustainability
• Global Change: Monitoring and Modelling
• Vulnerability: Spatial Assessment and Analysis
• Learning with Geoinformation

GI_Forum 2010 gives authors choices about the type of submission they want to make in order to accommodate a variety of interdisciplinary contributions. Submissions are expected in English language according to the formatting guidelines published on the conference website.

Deadline for submission of full papers for oral presentation and publication in the conference proceedings and extended abstracts for discussion sessions is 01 February 2010.

• More information

From/De: Nintnedo

WII AT $199.99 BEGINNING SEPT. 27

World of Nintendo Events, Key Software Releases Further Demonstrate System’s Incomparable Value

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 23, 2009 – Beginning Sunday, Sept. 27, the world’s most popular home video game system gets even more appealing. On that day, Nintendo’s suggested retail price for its record-setting Wii™ drops by $50 to $199.99. The new $199.99 Wii price point delivers the full iconic Wii gaming experience, including the motion-sensing Wii Remote™ controller, Nunchuk™ controller and Wii Sports™ software, and furthers Nintendo’s mission to expand the gaming universe by making video games accessible to more and more consumers.

Wii ownership also opens an avenue for players to the industry’s most diverse and unique collection of home console games. Key upcoming releases include Wii Fit™ Plus, launching on Oct. 4, and the first truly multiplayer Mario™ title ever, New Super Mario Bros.™ Wii.

Both new and veteran players in America can jump into this new Mario action when it arrives on Nov. 15.

And beginning Oct. 2, consumers in select cities will have a new, convenient way to decide which Nintendo adventure to tackle next. On that day, a novel series of sampling events called “World of Nintendo” kicks off in Long Beach, Calif.

“Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone—both men and women, and people of all ages,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Our research shows there are 50 million Americans thinking about becoming gamers, and this more affordable price point and our vast array of new software mean many of them can now make the leap and find experiences that appeal to them, whatever their tastes or level of gaming experience.”

The inherent social nature of Wii is fully demonstrated in a groundbreaking way with New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the first Mario game ever to allow four players to take part in the action at the same time. That same dynamic is propelling the enthusiastic response for Wii Sports Resort™, while the release of Wii Fit Plus includes everything you love about Wii Fit™, along with new multiplayer elements and the ability to customize workouts to fit individual needs.

See below for full details on the World of Nintendo events that are scheduled to take place in Long Beach, Philadelphia and New York throughout the month of October.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

For more information about New Super Mario Bros. Wii, visit www.MarioBrosWii.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™ and Nintendo DSi™ systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.1 billion video games and more than 526 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company’s Web site at www.Nintendo.com.

KEY Wii SOFTWARE RELEASES

Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo) – Available Now
Guitar Hero 5 (Activision) – Available Now
The Beatles: Rock Band (EA) – Available Now
Metroid™ Prime: Trilogy (Nintendo) – Available Now
Dead Space Extraction (EA) – Sept. 29
Wii Fit Plus (Nintendo) – Oct. 4
Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (LucasArts) – Oct. 6
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (SEGA) – Oct. 13
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 (Konami) – Nov. 3
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex (Activision) – Nov. 10
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nintendo) – Nov. 15
EA Sports Active More Workouts (EA) – Nov. 17
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Capcom) – Nov. 17
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (LucasArts) – Nov. 17
James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game (Ubisoft) – Nov. 24

WORLD OF NINTENDO CONSUMER SAMPLING TOUR

In video game aisles, shelves are filled with hundreds of choices. Online, differentiating between thousands of alternatives is nearly impossible. For players, the ideal option would be the chance to see just those titles you’re most interested in—and then grab the controller and take them for a test drive.

That solution springs to life next month as World of Nintendo sampling events pop up in three cities. Among the hit Nintendo titles to be included:

For Wii:
New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus, Punch-Out!!™ and WiiWare™ titles

For Nintendo DS™/Nintendo DSi™:
The Legend of Zelda™: Spirit Tracks, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box™ and Nintendo DSiWare™ titles

While final details are pending, the current schedule is as follows:

Long Beach Comic Con
Location: Long Beach Convention Center
City: Long Beach, Calif.
Dates:
Oct. 2: 3-7 p.m.
Oct. 3: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Oct. 4: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

VGXPO
Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center
City: Philadelphia, PA
Dates:
Oct. 9: 2-9 p.m.
Oct. 10: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Oct. 11: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Big Apple Comic Con
Location: Pier 94 (55th Street at 12th Avenue)
City: New York, NY
Dates:
Oct. 16: noon-8 p.m.
Oct. 17: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Oct. 18: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Heritage Foundation analyzes Obama’s latest foreign policy blunder.

Excerpt:

President Obama’s decision to abandon plans for basing elements of the U.S. missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic is entirely a political one – in order to appease Russia. This decision is a strategic victory for the Kremlin, which is determined to have a sphere of privileged interest in its near-abroad. It represents the shameful abandonment of two of America’s closest allies in Central and Eastern Europe, and in future, America’s allies will have cause to question the integrity and credibility of American promises.

It also leaves the U.S. and Europe more vulnerable to the threat of ballistic missile attack. The Third Site installations proposed for Poland and the Czech Republic – Ground-Based Midcourse Defense interceptors in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic – were cost-effective, proven technologies which offered protection from long range missile attack to both Europe and the United States. The alternative deployments which President Obama has said he will now pursue will not satisfy those criteria.

Neither has Washington secured any great concession from Russia.

[...]The decision – to concentrate resources defending against short range missiles and not field defenses against long range missile attacks – makes no sense. To be truly strategic about national and international security, the United States must defend against current and future threats. Presenting a choice between defending against short or long range missile attack is a false one. Ballistic missile threats can emerge with little advanced warning, and as Admiral Mike Mullen (chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) recently stated, Iran has already amassed sufficient uranium to build an atomic bomb.

Looks like President Chamberlain Obama is totally oblivious to the emerging threat from Iran. Not only is he abandoning Israel, but he’s leaving us open to long-range ballistic missile attack from abroad.

The Western Experience explains Obama’s “reasoning”.

Excerpt:

By taking on a non-confrontational role with Russia, President Obama hopes he can lure Russia into becoming a working partner with the U.S. against Iran and terrorism. Additionally, work closer on policy goals like disarmament. So the possibilities for President Obama, in his eyes, are win-win. But right now it looks more like a very huge gamble, if not a misguided attempt to secure cooperation through appeasement.

You’ll recall from my last piece that Russia is selling Iran S-300 defense systems that Iran will use to shoot down Israeli aircraft in the event of a pre-emptive airstrike against their nuclear facilities. And Obama has decided that the proper response to these developments is appeasement. What a surprise! The naive leftist sides against our ally, Israel.

The Independent records the reactions of our allies. (H/T The Western Experience)

Poland’s media bluntly summed up the feelings of the country’s political right towards President Obama’s axing of plans for an east European missile shield today: “Betrayed! The USA has sold us to the Russians and stabbed us in the back,” was the headline in one popular newspaper.

[...]In the Czech Republic, where the missile shield was also meant to be deployed, newspapers were similarly dismissive: “Obama gave in to the Kremlin,” commented the daily Lidowe Noviny.

None of this is surprising if you recall how Obama sided with tyrants in Iran and Honduras. The man has no moral sense.