Tag Archive for 'Hosting'

Improved MySQL GIS functions

Published on October 30, 2007 in Geotech. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , .

MySQLThe Russian developer Alexey “Holyfoot” Botchkov improved MySQL’s built-in GIS functions in order to use precise operations instead of MBR-based operations. Binary packages of a MySQL release containing his work are available for public testing here (FTP).

According to the GIS Functions wiki entry following MySQL GIS functions have been added to the MySQL 5.1.23 beta GIS release:

  • BUFFER
  • DIFFERENCE
  • DISTANCE
  • INTERSECTION
  • SYM_DIFFERENCE
  • UNION

I haven’t had the chance to test it yet, but I remember being very excited when I first read about the MySQL spatial extension a couple of years ago, followed by disappointment because of the MBR limits. Finally I decided to go with PostgreSQL/PostGIS back then.

However, if this functions make it into the official release it would be a good tool for proper storage and inclusion of geospatial data in (lightweighted) mapping applications like map mashups, compared to file based XML (KML) storage for instance. MySQL is supported by every other shared hosting plan, so the install base would be quite considerable I guess. [via heise]

Clever photo hosting

Published on March 26, 2007 in Tech. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

photobucketDue to Flickr’s terms of services it’s not allowed to embed pictures hosted on Flickr on other websites without linking back to the corresponding Flickr photo page. People who are trying to keep traffic low on their own servers usually outsource images to services like photobucket. Unlike Flickr, photobucket basically allows embedding pictures on third party sites without immediately creating a backlink, but limits photo hosting up to a certain amount of storage and bandwith usage. Once users exceed their bandwith limit, a nice little photobucket message shows up instead of the original picture.

Well, that strategy doesn’t seem so bad at all. That way photobucket sneaks free ads into other popular portals like MySpace, Facebook, Blogs, etc. and even into some user profile pages of their main competitor Flickr.