Information can be found in the following websites:

For using Google Earth directly:
http://earth.google.com/userguide/v4/ug_gps.html#point

Tools like ogr2ogr can convert gpx to kml, will require some playing around.

MapAction has published the first edition of its Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping. The guide, which is downloadable free, will help aid organisations to use geospatial tools and methods in their work in emergencies. There are tutorials for Google Earth and open-source GIS software. Click here to access the guide.

The guide was written to meet the need for practical, step-by-step advice for aid workers who wish to use free and open-source resources to produce maps both at field and headquarters levels. The first edition contains an introduction to the topic of GIS, followed by chapters focused on the use of two recommended free software tools: Google Earth, and MapWindow. However much of the guidance is also relevant for users of other software. In addition there is a chapter on using GPS to collect data during humanitarian emergencies.

The principal author of the guide, MapAction team member Naomi Morris, commented: "We will be trialing the first edition during a three-month mission to Papua New Guinea in which we will show local organisations how to use these methods for disaster risk reduction mapping. More widely, we will welcome input from all our humanitarian organisations and a second edition of the guide will be issued later this year."

The guide is available free as a PDF download (118 A5-sized pages) from our Resources page or by clicking here. In case of difficulty contact

info@mapaction.org

This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

and a copy can be emailed. We also welcome user feedback and suggestions for content to be included in the next edition.

Production of the guide was funded by the Dulverton Trust.

http://www.mapaction.org/content/view/183/59/

Come out, meet your instructors and learn more about GIS at an Information Session!

http://www.fgdc.gov/training/fgdc-fws-training

Training opportunities for American Indians and those who work with Tribal entities, to attend introductory Metadata, GIS, GPS, new Technologies and Cartographic Design training courses at the U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia

In partnership with the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), funding opportunities are provided for American Indians and for those who work for a Tribal entity, to attend the following courses at the FWS National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), in support of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure:

TEC7112 - GIS Introduction for Conservation Professionals         
Offered November 4-6, 2008, May 19-21, 2009 & July 14-16, 2009.

TEC 7118 - GIS Cartographic Design
Offered Augusg 25-27, 2009.

TEC7132 - GPS Introduction for Natural Resource Field Personnel
Offered Mar 2-5, 2009, August 3-6, 2009.

Funding covers tuition and per diem (food and lodging) at the FWS NCTC in Shepherdstown, WVA  Air Fare and rental car must be provided by the participant.   Failure to cancel within 2 weeks of the course will prohibit you from enrolling in classes with FWS for one year.

Specific information on each course is available on the Web at:

• New Technologies Course: http://training.fws.gov/TEC/catalog/TEC7102.html
• GIS Course:  http://training.fws.gov/TEC/Catalog/TEC7112.HTML
• Cartographic Design: http://training.fws.gov/TEC/Courses/tec7118.html
• GPS Course:  http://training.fws.gov/TEC/Catalog/TEC7132.HTML

Tribal students can attend with tuition and NCTC room/meal fees covered by a grant from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the Federal Geographic Data Committee (www.fgdc.gov/training/tribal-training). Accepted tribal applicants need only to pay for travel to Shepherdstown and personal incidentals.  Interested tribal members should e-mail their desire to attend either these courses, to Bonnie Gallahan (BGallahan [at] usgs.gov) of USGS/FGDC and request a voucher number:

1. Go to the FWS National Conservation Training Center's (NCTC) public catalog web site at: http://doilearn.doi.gov/coursecatalog, search for course and apply. When applying, select "Contract Agreement" for payment type and enter the voucher number and the following: Bonnie Gallahan, 590 National Ctr, Reston, VA 20192 703-648-6084.

If you have any questions, call Bonnie Gallahan, USGS/FGDC, at 703-648-6084, or Glenn Gravatt, NCTC Technical Training Coordinator, at 304-876-7456.