www.gamma.net.nz

So I got off my arse and updated Don's script to put all tracks.org.nz content in one big KML file.

Looks great in Google earth as it contains all NZ now not just Wellington.

File is attached to this post.

During the week I commute between Luzern and Zurich by train.  Normally I do some work on the train, using the work issue laptop, but disconnected from the net.  For work we're stuck with Lotus Notes which has a reasonable offline mode, I can sync my mail when I get back to the office, it syncs with my Blackberry, it works mostly fine.  The problem was when I don't work I often want to send a personal email.  But I despise using my work email to send personal emails.  I used to compose the email in a text editor.

Recently Gmail has be brewing something in their labs.  It allows users to use Gmail offline.  This is seriously cool stuff!!  All you need to do is enable it and it will download all your emails to your local computer, this takes some time, but you can go offline before it is complete.  An icon is installed on your desktop and you can use this to access Gmail offline.  The offline version has no compromises.  You can do everything you can do while online, except, of course, things that require a connection like real-time chat.  You can search your email for keywords, and it is just as fast as when you are online.  When entering someone in the "to" field your favourite peoples names appear, like normal.  Attachments are included and can be "downloaded".  While offline an "Outbox" appears and this is where your sent mail is stored.

All you need to do is install gears.  It even works on IE, but I use it on chrome which I believe comes with gears built-in.

I highly recommend this one for those who want to use gmail on the go, without a network connection.

The map below is a 1.5MB KML file which openlayers seems to render quite happily with out making your browser explode. (chome is fine, firefox is not so fine). The full screen control is quite useful. If, like me you get frustrated with tiny little maps embedded in pages. Its the little button on the top right --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->

Openlayers itself has a bunch of nice features:

- It can pull the track names out of the KML and display them in tool tips.

- Full screen map (I know I said that already)

- Shift click selects a box and zooms into that, much faster than mouse wheeling forever.

- Can display maps from multiple sources google, openstreetmap etc

- There is feaure editing tool that allow you to draw lines and polygons

More details after the break

http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2010/jan/wellington/josh-wink-us

I had a great night on New years eve 1996 when he played in Perth. Unfortunately we wont be in town so will miss it.

From Claire Pascoe at Greater Wellington Region Council. I have signed up, you should too. The link she provides is broke, you should use http://www.gw.govt.nz/activea2b/ and http://www.gw.govt.nz/tools/

Hi all,

We're running a project at Greater Wellington called Active a2b which encourages employees in Wellington workplaces to walk and cycle to work. (www.gw.govt.nz/active )

We have set up a Bike Buddy scheme which matches new riders with experienced cyclists to try and get more people riding into work. We've had a fantastic response, with over 20 bike buddies and 20 bike mentors already signed up. We need more mentors though, so if you're happy to have someone tag along on your commute send me an email to active@gw.govt.nz and I'll add you to my map.

I rode in with a buddy last Friday and it was great. She hadn't ridden to work in 12 years, driving instead, but we got there in 13 minutes and I feel positive that it has prompted her to give it a go more often.

Thanks!

Claire Pascoe

Enter here: http://www.sswc10nz.com/

Wellington has a long way to go...

http://www.streetfilms.org/ciclovia/

From

Interesting article about the chief financial officer of Giant Manufacturing, the world’s biggest bicycle maker, aka “the godmother of bicycles”.

"By and large, the world thinks of bikes as an exercise in machismo on wheels, from muddy mountain bikers to lycra-clad road cyclists or commuters taking their chances with the lorries and taxis that seem to claim ownership of the roads. Ms Tu has other ideas"

The bike in the image is a Giant Suede, ideal for riding on the next frocks on bikes ride. While I would not be caught dead one one I'm greatly in favour of the diversification of bikes so that theres a model for everone.