Geomapix Gateway June Newsletter

Issue 19

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GISbuzz.com Our Analyst, Phil Schnetzer, recently created a cool website that consumes mapping related content from across the globe. He has rightly named the website service GISbuzz.com and tagged a slogan of “All things mapping”. Since going live on June 12 it has received thousands of hits and great feedback. The backbone of GISbuzz is a feed aggregator which continuously pulls new content from over 100 sources. The latest jobs, news, blog articles, videos and images are all available and can be read/viewed in their unaltered original state directly from within GISbuzz. If you produce GIS related content on the web that you would like to contribute to GISbuzz please visit his contact page.   GANS Conference We recently took in a Geomatics Association of Nova Scotia (GANS) event in Halifax, Nova Scotia. GANS is a Non Profit Association that works to promote the Geomatics or map technology industry in Nova Scotia. I have been involved with the association for many years. As a small firm I cannot make it to all events but this event had particular significance to me. In a nutshell it started with a discussion about the future of Geomatics through the new group called the “Canadian Geomatics Community Round Table”, and was then followed by a presentation from Michael Goodchild, Emeritus Professor of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, called the “Future of GIS ”. He is widely credited with coining the phrase "Volunteered Geographic Information" and is considered the world's foremost expert on the topic.   James Boxall - Canadian Geomatics Round Table   Starting off is James Boxall, Director of the Dalhousie GISciences Centre and a member of the Round Table committee. It was an introduction to most of us on what this round table group is and explains that in the early days of Geomatics in Canada we played a fundamental role in the development of what we call Geographic Information Systems. Roger Tomlinson, the Father of GIS, created the first ever GIS system called the Canada GIS. Sure he was not born in Canada, but his roots in building the Geomatics industry started at the University of McGill. The round table is trying to understand why the Geomatics industry in Canada has fallen behind the rest of the world for innovation and leadership.  One interesting piece was the discussion of the term “Geomatics” and if the Father of GIS created the Canadian Geomatics industry why isn’t the term “Geomatics” as synonymous as the word “Google”. The word Google is now a verb in the English language, why not “Geomatics” for the Geospatial world we now live in? Everyone knows the word “Maps”, but the word “Geomatics” Is just the start of a foggy conversation about the technology our industry uses. Is Maps too simple of a word? Is that why none of us in the industry can say we just make “Maps”? I think it’s perceived the word “Maps” may mean that what we do is not important to society. Heck, it was certainly important in the days of exploring new worlds and all the survey and mapping work that David Thompson was so acclaimed for and was paid a good sum from the British Empire. In our profession we are explorers, surveyors, and map makers just in the digital context and more rapidly than in the past. For any Geomatics professional the elevator pitch to explain what we do would require a shaft that would reach the moon. The term Geomatics or GIS can spark a frenzy of technical jargon that literally stops time for the listener. When I am talking to someone that is not in my industry I say that “we make maps that can be delivered through the Internet to any client around the world with pretty much any kind of information that they want on the maps.” But it was more than just the term Geomatics, it was about engaging the users on a study that looks at where the industry is right now. What are some of the road blocks in restoring our credibility as a leader? What are the factors that all levels of government, private sector, and higher education need to consider in reshaping our industry to standout and innovative? These factors were discussed; How is our industry identified? When we talk to people do they know or understand Geomatics and GIS or do we have an identity crisis? Market? What are other countries doing in this field and what does the global market look like? Business model? Where do public and private sector fit in the new Canadian Geomatics world of 2020 and who shall shape the spatial data of tomorrow? Who funds it? Governance? Who makes the rules and leads the pack? Where does the data come from? Does public sector carry the burden of the costs? Where does the public play a part in data capture. Does private sector take over the role? Privacy? How do we protect the public’s privacy in a world where people are trying to get noticed and mobile applications are accessing our information without us really knowing it? As you can imagine this discussion could have spanned days. The point obviously is for you, the reader, if you’re interested, to join the discussion. Because whether you are aware of it or not Geomatics, GIS, and map information is everywhere and is used without you even knowing it. Please visit the round table resources by clicking below and don’t forget to check out their usual social media links. Visit http://eratosthenes-project.org/.   Michael Goodchild Lecture - The Future of GIS   Ok, I always said that I would not create a newsletter more than a page but I cannot help myself. Next, Dr. Goodchild lectured on the Future of GIS. Professionally, I needed to see this presentation so I could gauge, as an owner of a GIS consulting firm, if we are moving in the right direction. We are developing GIS products and services which are cloud based systems. A lot of financial risk and sweat equity has gone into our Geomapix Gateway service. I am only going to highlight the key points for this article because it spanned 67 minutes and covered an enormous number of concepts in the GIS world. You definitely need to check out the video recording at http://spatial-information.org/goodchild-lecture/.  Here are some of the highlights that I took from the lecture: In Goodchild’s 45 year career GIS has been one of the most dynamic fields to work in. New ideas for the use of GIS are endless and Goodchild had some great examples. He says that we only have begun the exploration of GIS and that today is only a prologue to what is to come. GIS technology is transitioning from the traditional 2d (Flat) mapping to visualizing data in 3D. Advances in technology and the speed of the web have allowed us to better depict location information in real time and at a lower cost. Real time tracking is a significant trend today because of our appetite for information and the rate at which we can consume it. Tracking will also include not just location but collection data about the physical environment. GIS web mapping technology has changed the way we collect data globally through open software and data concepts and that volunteers can contribute to a map. One of the biggest advantages of open data concepts is the speed at which data is collected and consumed by users. One of biggest challenges with open data concepts is the quality and reliability of the data. The role of the GIS professional has changed because anyone can make a map now but that is countered by the fact it might not be a good map. Mapping and geography is more user-centric than ever because of the reduction in cost to produce and distribute maps via the web and mobile. The average person has been a consumer and a producer of Geographic Information by accessing things like mobile applications that consume and distribute your location to a community of people. People want to map information of social significance such as their friends’ location, social dysfunction, and environmental issues. Volunteers now can validate information in real time at the local level reducing the amount of ground varification required by the industry. Computing has switched from desktop to remote or cloud based. Many things can be done more effectively within a cloud system. The Cloud redefines a GIS from desktop software to a GIS platform. The new GIS platform can access more information, from many locations around the world, all at the same time.  Google has played a significant role in transforming the concept of GIS and bringing mapping to people anytime, anywhere. Google’s service strategy is that there should be a little GIS in everything. So every service that Google offers could have a map view. Cloud GIS is creating the mother of all databases, the Geo-Internet. Finally, what we are seeing today is just the start of massive changes to geographic or place information becoming an integral part of our life. Geomapix Gateway is on the right track and will continue to position and align itself to current needs while always looking ahead.   Do you like this Article? Share It Below

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New Town of Kentville Street Maps

Follow us and stay up to date As part of the ongoing development of the Town of Kentville GIS system, LGS Inc. created a street and downtown map of Kentville to be used in their promotional material and at their Visitor Information Centre.         View Our Newsletter

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Ingrid Dabringer’s Map Paintings:Where Art and Geographer Find Each Other

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This is really cool! Ingrid Dabringer has combine art with geography using acrylic paint to interpret and draw characters and vignettes within ordinary maps.

You can order the originals or prints and would make a great conversation piece!

Check out the full article by Brainpickings.org

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Kentville Farmers Market - Cool Market Map!

Follow us and stay up to date View Our Newsletter Technically not a map in the carto since but it is really nice! Kentville Farmer's Market Vendor Map. http://kentvillefarmersmarket.ca/ Visually this map gives you a quick snapshot of the vendors within the market, the overall size, and great if you are looking for a particular vendor's wares. I have not gone yet put being a map guy will definitely headup on Saturday morning for some great snacks and product. VIEW LARGER IMAGE HERE

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The Geomapix Gateway May Newsletter is Out! - Read about our project work and internship with COGS student Allen MacMillan

Issue 18 Follow us and stay up to date View Previous Newsletter

Centre of Geographic Sciences: Student Final Term Project

Since 2009 our team has been working with the Centre Of Geographic Sciences (COGS) to provide graduating student a final term project and possible student internship.

Each year a COGS instructor contacts us to look at ideas for developing a work term. The goal is to create a real world project for the student so that they can get their feet wet when it comes to entering the GIS industry.

The process is completely professional and creates an opportunity for the sponsor to have a look at new GIS software processes and functions prior to implementing them across the business. The student gets a chance to build a project concept from beginning to end and build a project work plan, budgeting, and researching the proposed project. The final term project usually leads into an internship to prepare the student to enter the workforce.

Our 2013 student, Allen MacMillan, is a second-year cartography student with a keen eye not only for cartographic design but building a GIS and modelling for our project. Working with a local development authority we decided to look at a crop suitability model. The suitability model is based on growing hops for the brewery industry in the Annapolis Valley.

The goal was to identify the geographic data requirements and build a spatial analysis tool to identify a low, medium, and high potential of growth and put together a cartographically pleasing map product to be delivered to the Nova Scotia Agricultural Department.

By identifying data requirements we can understand what information needs to be collected or improved to build the suitability model correctly. Also by creating a Geographic Information System and analysis tool it will give the agricultural department the ability to expand their expertise in crop suitability mapping.

First off, Allen researched the best growing environment for hops; which is fast draining soils, South facing slope for sun exposure (using a TIN Model), a PH level of 5.6 or above, and excluded areas within 2 km of the shoreline. Other geographic data included identifying non forested and non wetland areas.

So Allen set out to create an Esri ArcGIS suitability model which became the heart of the entire project. Allen built the model so that values could be inputted into the model to build and output suitability areas for other crops.

The final touches are just about complete and we will be presenting the final map, GIS data, and modelling to the Nova Scotia Agricultural Department.

As a LGS Inc. intern, Allen is developing a Map Atlas generator using our Nova Scotia Geodatabase for Esri ArcMap. This will allow the production of custom maps for print and webGIS. Thank you Allen for all your hard work!

Please visit Allen’s portfolio website @ http://allenrm.com/

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Partner Profile: Gerry Watson of Snowbound Studios

We are always happy to identify partners that have made us successful. We're recognizing Gerry Watson of Snowbound Studios in New Minas, Nova Scotia, for his great work as our development partner.

Gerry has a keen eye for web design and has the uncanny ability to understand exactly what a client needs when it comes to web development. We have been able to work with him on a variety of GIS web applications including our flagship product, the Local Information Utility (LIU), the AGRG Community Mapping Project, and our new LIU product for a building inspection tracking system.

Gerry likes to learn, has a creative streak and wants to help solve problems. These are traits that can’t all be taught through higher education. Gerry sees the world as we do; that you can be a successful tech firm in rural Nova Scotia when you build local partnerships.

As a small firm it is difficult to be able to do all things tech. That's why LGS Inc. connects with small business expertise like Snowbound Studios because buying local and  growing the rural economy is important to us.

He sums his experience in web development quite nicely by saying;

“I am not a trained geek, it just came naturally, my education is in Geography and History, two topics that I still find deeply interesting BUT how does this make me suitable for web development? . . . I'm not sure - but I'm pretty certain it helps. I find this job requires a person, who likes to learn, has a creative streak and wants to help solve problems. These are traits you don't learn in school - well I didn't anyway.”

Gerry’s mission with Snowbound Studios is simple. He wants to work with people, talk to them, and help them realize their goals while continuing to foster his own personal and professional growth and development.

Visit Gerry’s website at http://www.snowboundstudios.ca/ or give him a ring at +19023652406

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Cafe Style Consulting at the Paper Pleasures Cafe

We are currently developing a Permit Tracking system for our Local Information Utility webGIS services for local government. We recently met up with one of our partners on the project, Gerry Watson of Snowbound Studios, at the Paper Pleasures in New Minas, Nova Scotia. 

Check Out the cafe on Facebook by searching "Paper Pleasures at the Coffee Shop". It's got some great coffee, treats, lunch, speciality papers , and some really cool local art work.

We thought that we would change the scenery a bit by having our development team meeting at the cafe. This was a great opportunity for our team to come together in a relaxing environment and would suggest for any business to do this every once and awhile. By team I mean Three, Phil our GIS analyst is taking the picture.

POTHOLES are back - Map potholes on your street by visiting the 2013 Edition of Pothole Plotter North America

The Pothole Plotter allows the public to locate a pothole on their street and with one click enter the location into a live GIS system. The pothole locations and associate information is stored in a GIS system to be distributed by email or text message to the officials that manage this asset. It’s really about building a Public Service Engine where not just pothole issues can be identified but locations like signs down, streetlights out, graffiti, trip hazards, and a host of issues which can be identified by the public.

We encourage the public to visit the application to see how they can use GIS to let the right people know where the potholes are located on their street.

www.geomapix.com/potholes/

As the founder and CEO of Landmark Geographic Solutions Inc., Trevor Robar has transformed the company from a one person GIS data QC firm to a leading edge GIS enterprise and application design firm. Trevor has over 15 years of experience working with all levels of government, private industry, not for profit, and academia. A Visionary and goal-oriented senior executive with demonstrated experience in planning, developing, and implementing cutting edge spatial information solutions to address.