RobiNZ CAD Blog

Driving with Shaan?

TomTom recently upgraded their iPhone GPS application to “speak” road names rather than just generic instructions like “Turn Left, One Hundred Metres”. It uses a human voice combined with “computerised reading” to pronounce the street names. I tried it tonight on the way home from work and discovered TomTom seems to think a world famous AutoCAD Blogger is my driver. New Zealand has a “State Highway” system (there being no “inter” for an interstate highway!) and part of my commute includes State Highway One. This gets abbreviated to SH1 which TomTom pronounces “SsssHhhhOne” resulting in commands like: “Keep left Shaan”... Read more →

Seems I have been to BIM!

In the CADMAN Rd post I asked if anyone had been to BIM? Thanks to a vigilent reader who spotted a feature on the map closer than BIM, West Virginia I found out I have been to BIM, well Bims Rd. Even... Read more →

I've been to CADMAN AVE, anyone been to BIM?

I attended an IPD/BIM meeting and thought it rather ironic that, due to stupid planning rules that allow you to build several new multi-story office blocks with insufficient visitor parking, I found a park in nearby Cadman Ave (No Exit)*. I wondered if any New Zealand place names have BIM in them but Google shows the nearest is BIM, West Virginia, USA! Has anyone been there!? I can't as Streetview doesn't go that far! View Larger Map* Wonders if that will prompt a comment from someone in Florida... Read more →

Team Blue22 launch Civil 3D University New Zealand!

At a recent Autodesk Solutions 2009 event Team Blue22 announced they would be hosting a New Zealand "Civil 3D University" in mid-August. It focuses on Autodesk Civil 3D related subjects offering a mix... Read more →

MapSource and Google Earth

I like how Garmin have connected their, proprietary, MapSource GPS software to Google Earth. I tend to prefer editing my Etrex downloads in MapSource but like viewing them in Google Earth. Thanks Garm... Read more →

Google Earth Pro and the end of the world

My Google Earth Pro license expired. This was entirely my fault as Google Earth does warn you to renewal time is approaching but I hadn't used it for a while and forgot. However, because our firewall... Read more →

"Kiwi Guy" Julian Dean, Team Garmin, in le Tour de France

Because of the Kiwi connection, and my favourite GPS , I’ve been following Team Garmin in le Tour de France . It’s been great to see Julian Dean’s brilliant performances, including several top ten sta... Read more →

Garmin vs the iPhone? Say hello to "the nüvifone"

Garmin, the GPS company, have announced they are entering the phone market! Garmin will take on Apple Nokia with “ the nüvifone ”. It promises to merge 3.5G phone/camera/browser with Garmin’s GP... Read more →

Google Maps for New Zealand

Google recently launched a localised version of their New Zealand map. We’ve had basic road/location info since last year but this adds search and links to local directories. It will even help you buy... Read more →

Satellite tracked Godwit expected in NZ today - 30,000 km to Alaska & back!

It’s a long-haul flight to nearly everywhere from New Zealand. Often you crawl off the plane with a sense of achievement for merely surviving the flight. Spare a thought for the little Godwit “E7” who... Read more →