Hello,
congrats to Mike Gleason who was first to see through the "too-good-to-be-true" news of our April Fools' Day press release. But we have not fooled you without reason. Most of the press release was actually true and some of the lies might become true before long. Maybe rapidlasso was just a little ahead of our times ... just like the LAStools software. (-;
Here are the truth:
* rapidlasso integrated *.laz files into *.lax files
* rapidlasso created laseasy.exe
* rapidlasso added an option to rearrange points into space-filling curves
* rapidlasso created an image visualizing the new functionality
* rapidlasso assured full compatiblity of new features through the LAS 1.4 trick
* rapidlasso tried to get ESRI to express their needs for the LAS 1.4 compressor
* rapidlasso had some hard feelings when first hearing about the leaked "LAZ clone"
* rapidlasso contacted ESRI with the very ideas outlined in the PR
* rapidlasso did so on MLK weekend
* rapidlasso quoted "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope"
* rapidlasso had promising email exchanges with ESRI management
* rapidlasso had an hour long phone call with ESRI management while in Manila
* rapidlasso disclosed technical details on the realization of this joint compressor
* rapidlasso waits to hear back from ESRI management on their final decision
Here are the lies:
* ESRI has not (yet) agreed to develop this joint LAS 1.4 compressor
* ESRI has not (yet) said what LASzip was missing to prompt their LAZ clone development
* ESRI has not (yet) disclose what imporant feature they need in the cloud
* ESRI has not (yet) admitted to have done something 'evil-by-accident'
* ESRI has not (yet) lauded Martin for poking fun at them
Cross your fingers! We will let you know when ESRI's verdict is final.
Martin @rapidlasso