An Example of Dynamic Map/Data Visualization

The Flowing Data blog posted a nifty time-series map of the spread of the Walmart franchise: Watching the Growth of Walmart Across America. (Via Planetizen)

This map visualization of change over time draws on data from Freebase (an open source database of databases, I think) and uses the flash-based map-tile tool Modest Maps.

Is it GIS? It is certainly a good example of using map data to make a simple point.

And, if we're being honest with ourselves, it's fun to watch the little green lights flashing across the map.

MapInfo Sold

All Points Blog is reporting that Pitney Bowes will acquire MapInfo for $408 million.

Pitney Bowes is generally known for mail and document handling products and service. Adena Schutzberg makes a connection between that niche -- essentially business-to-business -- and MapInfo's in location intelligence as a business-planning tool and service-delivery enabler.

Atanas Entchev, on his NJ GIS Blog, wonders what the sale might mean for the many New Jersey police departments that rely on MapInfo for dispatch and 911.

That's a thought that may be occurring now in other states.