Category Archives: Fun Stuff

World Imagery Wayback

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World Imagery Wayback is a digital archive, providing users with access to the different versions of world imagery created over time. Each layer in the archive represents a snapshot of the entire World Imagery map, as it existed on the date it was published. Wayback currently provides access to all published versions of World Imagery, dating back to February 20, 2014. There is an ArcGIS Online item for every version which can be accessed directly from this app.

Available versions of the World Imagery map are presented within a timeline and as layers in a list. Versions that resulted in local changes are highlighted in bold white, and the layer currently selected is highlighted in blue. Point and click on the map for additional imagery details within the selected layer. One or more layers can be added to a queue and pushed to a new ArcGIS Online web map. Check it out!

/bin/rm -r -f *

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Early on in my GIS career I worked for a data conversion company. Our clients were mostly local governments wanting to convert paper maps into digital data for their new GIS software installations (think Arc/Info 7 and ArcView 3). We would work on Sun SPARCstations running SunOS Unix and Arc/Info. We called the Sun workstations “pizzabox” machines because of their shape.

One day while I had a bunch of windows open and working too fast, I decided I was done with my temp data in a directory and decided to delete everything, so at the unix prompt I issued the command “rm -r -f *”, which if you did not know means delete everything without asking with force! So you know when you hit that enter key and then realize you just deleted stuff you should have not deleted? Yes, I happened to be in the window that was in the unix library directory (/lib) and just hosed the unix operating system! Why did I have admin rights again?

Needless to say, our system admin had to spend some precious time bringing my workstation back to life. I told him at least I still had my temp data to delete again! He did not appreciate that one.

So if you cringed when I mentioned that command, check out this story about how the movie Toy Story 2 was almost killed in the same way!

Fireworks 2021!

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July 4th is just a few days away, which means there will be fireworks again!

Use the app to view cities in LA, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino County that allow the sale and discharge of fireworks.  Included are days and times when fireworks will be sold and when you can light them up, as well as links to city websites and telephone numbers.  Data was collected from municipal codes, websites, and/or contacting each city.  Some cities allowed sales to start yesterday AND allow you to discharge them now as well!  Check it out and be safe!

LEGO Art World Map

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If you like maps and LEGOs, then this is for you! This new addition to the LEGO Art collection contains the most pieces ever included in a set in LEGO’s history … 11,695 pieces! The world map measures 25.5 inches high by 40.5 inches wide when completed. The map is made up of 40 interconnecting base plates which are divided into three sections for the build that can be arranged in one of three ways, allowing you to place your favorite part of the world in the center of the map.

And check this out, there are customizable brick-built push pins that you can use to mark out destinations already visited or highlight those still on your bucket list! All of this for only $249.99! Available June 1st. Check it out!

Cinco De Mayo on the Map

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The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico.

Check out the story by clicking the map below!

The Mythology of Snow’s Map of Cholera

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Most of you that took Geography, Cartography, or GIS courses remember reading about the story of Dr. John Snow and his map showing the cholera outbreak in Soho, London in 1854.

You also probably remember how he plotted cholera cases on the map and how he used that information to figure out that there was a strong spatial relationship between the cases and a polluted well on Broad Street, so he had the pump removed and the outbreak stopped. The map has been used as an example of the principles of GIS using layers of information and spatial relationships.

Well … despite it being a great story, unfortunately it’s not really how it played out. Both the use of the famous map and the story surrounding it have become somewhat modified through the passage of time. Click below to read the mythology of Snow’s cholera map.