Richard's Tech Reviews

GISTEQ Mac software now available

The basic version is free to download, the Pro version costs $25 (and is a separate license from the Windows Pro version).

http://www.gisteq.com/MACsoftware.php

The long-awaited PhotoTrackr Mac version is finally here. We are proud to announce that PhotoTrackr Mac is free for all PhotoTrackr users.

In addition to provide a photo geotagging tool for Mac users, PhotoTrackr Mac version also comes with extensive photo management features, such as basic photo editing tools, Flash slideshow maker, photo web album, and Google web gallery, etc.

GISTEQ models include the DPL700 PhotoTrackr Lite, as well as the CD111 and CD110BT (Bluetooth).
You can see my comparison review of the DPL700 for more information.

The Mac software is actually a special version of JetPhoto that adds a GISTEQ driver.  I have to say hasn't in the past JetPhoto hasn't been my favourite photo manager, but I will take another look.

If you go to the JetPhoto page, it lists JetPhoto compatible GPSes, with the new entry

- GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr (Tested on PC, also provides special edition for Mac)

Looks from the newswires that the official release was yesterday (July 28, 2008).  The install file itself is dated July 17, 2008.  Version is 3.0.1 G

Rogers intros DNS interception, gives itself monetary incentive to make DNS fail

Rogers de-neutralizes the net by adding DNS failure interception technology.  When you get a failed DNS lookup, instead of just getting a message from your browser about not being able to find the address, Rogers INSERTS ITSELF INTO THE DNS PROTOCOL to redirect you to a page of ads.

So let's see:
1. Rogers, you know, the ISP that you are already paying for your Internet connection, is trying (in typical telco fashion) to generate an extra revenue stream - off of error.
which
1a. Creates an incentive for Rogers to have more DNS failures, so they can show you more ads
and as a bonus
2. The technology is (reportedly) from Paxfire, a US company.  It is not known whether your DNS requests are being captured by them, in the USA, where consumer privacy is basically non-existent and what minimal privacy does exist can be swept away by government or corporate requests.
3. Inserting mis-features into protocols like this is not only in violation of net neutrality, but also when you break protocols, you BREAK APPLICATIONS.

"Rogers, breaking your Internet for profit"

And I swear, my DNS lookups have gotten less reliable since they put this in.
Oh and by the way, you can't opt-out.  You can opt to get a different page (a blank error page), but not opt out of the protocol-breaking interception system iteself.

There is more discussion at Ars and on Michael Geist's blog.

UPDATE 2009-02-22: You can avoid this problem by switching to Rogers alternate non-intercepting DNS, 64.71.255.202 (altdns.rnc.net.cable.rogers.com)  You will need to know how to change your DNS settings to do this.

iPhone ecosystem not quite geotagging ready

The iPhone 3G is correctly geocoding photos, but unfortunately there are a lot of applications that are losing the EXIF-GPS information as the photo is sent or manipulated.

In particular, emailing the photo from the iPhone loses the EXIF-GPS, and using iPhoto mangles the EXIF-GPS.  Also be aware that (at least version 2.2) of the Mac Flickr Uploadr will lose EXIF-GPS if you use it to resize your photo before uploading.

See the Geotagging Flickr thread iPhone 3G geotagging for more information.

UPDATE 2009-06-27: These issues have pretty much been fixed by newer operating system and software versions.