Highlights for February 12, 1998
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• USGS Author in History of GIS: Maurice O. Nyquist (CBI) is one of five contributing authors of a chapter in the recently published book, The History of Geographic Information Systems: Perspectives from the Pioneers, edited by Timothy W. Foresman. This 397-page chronicle was published by Prentice-Hall, Inc. David Greenly, Stephen Guptill, Charles Robinove, Charels Trautwein, and Nyquist collaborated on Chapter 11, "GIS Development in the Department of the Interior." Nyquist traced GIS and remote sensing development within the National Park Service during 1970-1985. (Maury Nyquist, Denver, 303/202-4217)

• Next-Generation GPS Receivers : On February 10, Karl Brown, CBI, represented USGS and DOI at a classified briefing in Fort Worth, Texas regarding current and future crypto keying issues related to the Global Positioning System. Civilian agency access and use of the Precise Positioning Service will continue to use crypto variable keys to deliver 4-8 meter accuracy to handheld GPS users into the next generation of receivers, known as DAGR (Defense Advanced GPS Receiver). (Karl Brown, Denver, 303/202-4240)

• Satellite Imaging Demonstration: On February 13, the Center for Biological Informatics will host representatives from Space Imaging (formerly EOSAT), who will demonstrate new protocols and pricing for various types of imaging satellites. CBI will provide its ERDAS workstation for a live demonstration to be presented to representatives from the USGS, NPS, USFWS, BLM, BOR, and BIA. (Ralph Root, Denver, 303/202-4232)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.