EOMasters Newsletter #028

04/08/2024

 

Hello EO-Masters!

In the last newsletter I've announced the release of the Coastal Map. This time I can announce the next release. The Pro version of the EOMasters Toolbox is now available for purchase. Also, the Basic Toolbox got a little update.

 

Let's head over to the news.

 

In this Issue:

 

EOMasters News

  • Released the EOMasters Toolbox Pro

  • Updated the Basic EOMasters Toolbox

     

EO and RS

  • Updated Roadmap for Copernicus Data and Data Services

  • Will Sentinel Hub be Locked?

  • How a Digital Twin Works
      

Software, Tools and Services

  • GEOIKP - A Platform for Nature-Based Solutions

  • New QGIS.org Website

 

Beyond EO

  • Cash or Card: What's Better for the Environment

 

EOMasters News

Released the EOMasters Toolbox Pro

The pro version provides enhanced features and additional scientific tools on top of the basic toolbox. It starts with three unique features.

  • Asset Library

    This allows you to collect the resources you most often use and have them accessible at any time.

  • SpeX

    It is comprised of a database which holds more than 240 commonly used spectral indices and a SNAP operator to execute them.

  • Coastal Map

    This gives you easy access to the indicators of the Coastal Map and additional masks.

You can read about the details of the features in the introductory blog of the toolbox.

In the future it will be extended by more features, and you can influence what it will be. Let me know what your requirements are, and they will be considered for the further development.

The new Pro Toolbox is available for purchase at a regular price of 25€. During the launch month you can get a discount of 25%.

But you don't need to buy the cat in the bag, as we say in Germany, meaning buy a pig in a poke. You can order use the toolbox for free during a 14-days trial period.

 

  • Introduction of the EOMasters Toolbox Pro and launch discount

  • EOMasters Shop - EOMasters Toolbox Pro V1

Updated the Basic EOMasters Toolbox

The free EOMasters Toolbox got also updated and its name has now the Basic extension for better differentiation.

 

  • The EO Data DB can be accessed from the help menu

  • Add indexOfMin and indexOfMax functions for band maths

  • Add statistical raster properties function to Band Maths

  • Add action to copy CRS WKT to clipboard

 

It's a small but still helpful update.

 

  • EOMasters Toolbox Basic

  • Full Release Notes EOMasters Toolbox Basic v1.1

EO and RS News

Updated Roadmap for Copernicus Data and Data Services

The update of the roadmap includes what has already been released in June and gives an outlook for the coming month until the end of the year. So, what's ahead of us?

  • Sentinel-3 Level-2 data in openSearch and STAC

  • Sentinel-1 global mosaics and SLC Bursts

  • On-Demand Production for Sentinel-1, 2 and 3​

  • Integration of Landsat data

  • new STAC API prototype

  • and a lot more

 

  • Roadmap updated for future developments

Will Sentinel Hub be Locked?

Sinergise published a blog on how to move from Sentinel Hub to Copernicus Browser. Which leaves me with the question if Sentinel Hub will locked and that there will be no free access aynmore.

Say said: "All in all, Copernicus Browser offers the same intuitive functionality as Sentinel Hub EO Browser, but it is even easier to use. It is a free and open tool that will be available for anyone in the long term."

To me, this reads like Sentinel Hub will become a paid service for commercial customers.

CDSE has more quota available for free, so for non-commercial users it is the better option anyway. Probably not a big deal, as CDSE remains free, but an interesting and big development anyway.

 

  • Transition guide from Sentinel Hub EO Browser to Copernicus Browser | by Sinergise | Sentinel Hub Blog | Jul, 2024 | Medium

 

How a Digital Twin Works

This article introduces the concept of Digital twins, how they work, and how they are used.

I don't try to summarise it here. I suggest to read the article if you are interested in this topic.

 

  • What is Digital Twin and How Does It Work? - GIS Resources

Software, Tools and Services

GEOIKP - A Platform for Nature-Based Solutions

The GeoIKP platform focuses on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for mitigating water- and climate-related risks such as flooding, drought, and landslides. It offers data visualization, mapping tools, NBS case studies.

The platform aims to promote sustainable solutions to enhance resilience against environmental risks and empower stakeholders to make informed decisions.

 

  • What is GeoIKP Platform? - GIS Resources

  • GeoIKP Platform for Nature-based Solutions

New QGIS.org Website

 

QGIS has launched a new website to better present its value proposition and appeal to a broader audience.

In the blog post they talk about the goals they had for building the new QGIS.org website and the bigger picture of how this website update fits into their broader strategy for the website plans for QGIS.

 

  • Introducing the new QGIS.org website

  • https://qgis.org/

Beyond EO

Cash or Card: What's Better for the Environment

The European Digital Payments Industry Alliance (EDPIA) study highlights that cash is more harmful to the environment than card payments. Cash payments produce significantly more CO² emissions compared to card payments .

The table shows the footprint in grams in CO² equivalants for one payment indifferent European countries.

That is surprising at first, at least to me. The study provides also some recommendation for a healthier environment. 

  • The lifespan of payment terminals and cards, and using digital payment methods instead of physical cards.

  • The longevity of ATMs should be improved and people should use public, emission-free transportation to access them.

  • Consumers should be informed about the environmental benefits of digital payments to encourage more eco-friendly choices.

 

  • Press release – Digital payments demonstrated to have a lower environmental impact than cash

Newsletter Archive

For past editions of this newsletter, you can visit the archive.

  

That's it for this issue. I hope you enjoyed this collection of news. Stay tuned for the next edition, which will arrive in your inbox in about two weeks.

 

 

Tschüss and Goodbye!

Marco 

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