Mobifun’s Weblog

An anonymous reader writes “The Google Librarian Central site has up a piece by Mark Aubin, a Software Engineer who works on Google Earth. Aubin explains some of the process behind capturing satellite imagery for use with the product. ‘Most people are surprised to learn that we have more than one source for our imagery. We collect it via airplane and satellite, but also just about any way you can imagine getting a camera above the Earth’s surface: hot air balloons, model airplanes - even kites. The traditional aerial survey involves mounting a special gyroscopic, stabilized camera in the belly of an airplane and flying it at an elevation of between 15,000 feet and 30,000 feet, depending on the resolution of imagery you’re interested in. As the plane takes a predefined route over the desired area, it forms a series of parallel lines with about 40 percent overlap between lines and 60 percent overlap in the direction of flight. This overlap of images is what provides us with enough detail to remove distortions caused by the varying shape of the Earth’s surface.’Read more of this story at Slashdot.

GunSlinger writes “The IGN movies site is running a story on an old movie concept seeing a resurgence. 3D movies are making a cinematic comeback via new, more sophisticated techniques. Yes, you still wear glasses. No you don’t get a headache. Yes, the effect is fantastic. This story looks at the technology, past and future projects, and why just about every major studio is now planning in three dimensions. ‘There is indeed a revolution in cinema taking place. It’s quietly slipped under the radar of most technophiles, beginning its assault on the way we consume media clothed in thoroughly unassuming garb — the Disney Digital 3-D film, Meet the Robinsons … no, we don’t blame you for being skeptical. Most people in their mid-20s or later think of 3-D movies from the old school perspective — goofy red and blue coloured glasses, strained eyes, possible migraines. And most importantly, a so-so 3-D effect. No more.’”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Hello! The long-awaited Netvibes Universal Widget API has been released today!

Since Their  announcement, it has been thousands to subscribe to announcement list.

“We believe at Netvibes that UWA can really change the way we produce and develop widgets. We’ve been working hard to release it. As you know, the Universal Widget API will replace the Mini-Module API that was used on Netvibes”.

The launch of the UWA effort starts with a new website, a great documentation and of course some cool examples. You will then be able to implement your widgets on Netvibes, and also to have them running on Google IG and Apple Dashboard. As promised, more platforms are currently in the process of being supported. The Opera and Vista support are just a few weeks away.

As you will experience, we have lead efforts to build a very simple API that let you leverage our Netvibes User Interface, and let you integrate HTML and Flash elements very easily.

The UWA relies on a soon-to-be-released open-source JavaScript runtime. Through JavaScript best practices, our components and templates, the UWA makes it easy to assemble a widget for any given web service. Since our primary announcement, some great platforms contacted us to collaborate on expanding the reach of UWA widgets.

Get started now! This is the place where you can find developer resources: UWA is now part of our new Developer Network website. http://dev.netvibes.com/

AP - The Internet search company hopes to eventually persuade federal agencies to employ the same tools — an effort that excites advocates of open government but worries some consumer privacy experts.

Indie rocker Eric Monterrosa checks his ElHood.com Web page at least three times a day, answering fans, surfing for other new Latin artists and keeping in touch with friends from his native Colombia.

ElHood is sort of a bilingual MySpace promoting the latest in Latin music, and for Miami-based Monterrosa, it has become a personal and professional lifeline. It is also the latest in a wave of Hispanic social-networking sites building links across the U.S., Latin America and Spain, all hoping to capture coveted advertising dollars.

“A lot of Latin artists are plugged in,” Monterrosa said. “So if you want to find them it’s easy. If you go to sites like MySpace, you have to go through all sorts of genres, types of music, and languages.”

About 56 percent of Hispanics in the United States use the Internet, compared with 71 percent of non-Hispanic whites and 60 percent of non-Hispanic blacks, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project. But the number of Hispanics online jumps to 67 percent among 18- to 27-year-olds — the group most likely to visit social-networking sites and one coveted by advertisers.

The online gathering spots allow users to post profiles and keep in touch with friends, as well as expand their circle of acquaintances. Ads and partnerships that help spread new music keep the sites afloat.