And on a slightly more serious note....

New guidelines set for location privacy on mobile phones - Spatial Source

"The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has released new industry guidelines to help promote the privacy of people using location-based services (LBS) on mobile devices.

The association also released a number of tips for consumers that would help them maintain privacy when using the technology, which targets services to users based on their mobile phone location.

AMTA chief executive officer Chris Althaus said a number of commercial location-based services using mobile technology are already on the market with more services expected soon."


To read on visit.... Spatial Source :)

Gaming.... the GIS way...

Picture it... you're not just playing the game - you are IN it. You ARE it. How awesome is that?! Could it be the ultimate gaming experience? Well... not sure about that... but I'm sure you can still be pwnd :P

Here are just a few interesting examples.... :)

• Oldie but a goodie... Test your geography with Geosense!

• Virtual Punk.... for the more fantasy oriented:

A peaceful area where you can gather resources for your futher exploration.	Your first encounter with the creatures down in the mines.	Talk to the inhabitants of the world. Some are good and some are evil.

Get started with Virtualpunk!

Grab your GPS phone and get out of the house! Create an account and start moving around - you'll discover a whole new dimension to reality. A reality filled with new an exciting possibilities. Meet all the in game characters and try to figure out what they want. Or fight your way to the more difficult parts of the game world. Parts that you have to unlock to be able to access. But as with all adventurers you might want to get some decent armor, shield and weapon before you go too far... Prepare yourself for a totally new outdoor experience on your way to work, school or while you just are out walking.
See you in game!

•   Pac Manhattan for pacman fans :)

And so many more besides... Have a look at WikiGIS - Location-based gaming to get you started :)

Maya out!

Geospatial Revolution Ep 2 released

I haven't had a chance to view all of it yet
*shakes fist at wireless internet slower than dial-up*
But from what I've seen so far, it's definitely as engaging as the first!

Turning a new page

So, as some of you may or may not know... I have a new job!

Yep, starting tomorrow at the Department of Planning as a GIS ... something or other - I'm not sure what my exact title is yet...! And as with most of my endeavours I'm trying to quell that performance anxiety that I can feel quietly, but surely, rising in the back of my consciousness (to the effect that I've just said yes to a 5:30am boot camp session tomorrow morning!). The logical part of my mind counters, saying "It'll all be OK - you will do fine, and in all likelihood better than fine". So, stepping into the spirit of adventure: hello to the unknown!

Inevitably, I will be leaving the library officer realm to enter that of the library patron... Whilst I'm sad to leave all the wonderful people I've met and come to know as colleagues and friends, I am looking forward to seeing things from the 'other side' of the counter... Watch this space for feedback & ideas! But as a send-off I would like to say a big huge thank you to all the staff at Cockburn Libraries for their support and all the kindnesses shown to me over the past couple of years. Here's to all of you! All the best :)