Google and the MDGs
Google Earth now can keep you up to date on the worlds progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.
The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest.
Although particularly that last sentence is a bit rich, the MDGs do form a central focal point for developed and developing nations to use as a basis for helping the poorest of this earth.
I’m a big fan of Google Maps and Google Earth, I’m a web developer, and I do a lot of work in the development (NGO) sector. So imagine my excitement when Google announced their MDG layer for Google Earth. MDG means Millennium Development Goals.
With the MDG layer for Google Earth, you can keep track of how the world is faring in pursuing these goals. Install Google Earth, run it, get the feed and go wild. There’s much more info over at the Google/UN/Cisco website mdgmonitor.org.
SD card with wi-fi
Possible the best thing EVER for photographers is a 2GB SD card with built in wi-fi. What the thing does is that, when you pop this in your digital camera and there’s a wireless network around, pictures are automatically transferred to either your PC or your photosharing (think flickr) service of choice. Read more at photojojo. Currently only (legally) available in the US.
Obviously, this is useful for transferring your pictures at home, without having to whip out cable or cardreader. But it’s even better when making a pitstop in some coffee shop or restaurant offering free access. Just sip your coffee and you’re ready to reuse your memory card.
Seriously, this would be reason for me wanting my next camera to have an SD slot.