NOAA to Eliminate Paper Maps
This is sad news- NOAA to Eliminate Paper Maps.
Following the path of books and music which are moving to a digital model, paper maps are getting the “heave-ho” from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the organization sails into a digital world.
As early as April 2014, NOAA will discontinue printing its lithographic nautical charts in favor of its increasingly popular digital versions, saving the organization millions of dollars in printing and updating.
With both novice and more experienced mariners having access to technology that can provide accurate readings in a store-bought hand-held device, maps are experiencing a type of “geospatial evolution.” Avenza Systems already works with the NOAA on creating a working geo-referenced digital map for use on hand-held devices –more than 2,100 NOAA maps at this point. The popularity of digital maps has grown with consumers as well as how traditional map publishers are dealing with the change from the paper world to a digital one.
So if you still believe the nautical chart has a place in your dreaming, scheming, or navigation, you’d better get a hold of the ones you want pronto. Christmas is coming- add them to your list.
John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com
All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.
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