See also http://au.autodesk.com/event/
August 16, 2008
AU 2008 and the Autodesk University BLAUG
Thinking about Autodesk U yet? Autodesk definitely is. See the AU blog for the latest on this year's event, slated for Dec 2-5, 2008 in Vegas. The latest entry is tips from Lynn Allen for justifying 4 days in Vegas to your boss! See http://au.autodesk.com/blogs/BLAUG/
See also http://au.autodesk.com/event/
See also http://au.autodesk.com/event/
August 15, 2008
Map Your favorite olympic athletes on Google Earth with EarthGamz
Earthgamz is definitely one of those WOW apps that you just can't stop messing with. This clever app enables users to map Olympic athletes in the app using Google Earth - embedded in the web app... very slick! Users can download the KML also and view athlete's bio info and see their TV listings... simply put, it's awesome! See http://www.earthgamz.com/olympics
Thanks to slashgeo for the tip on this one!
Using Earthgamz I can browse into Fort Collins and check out how the local athletes are doing in Beijing
Thanks to slashgeo for the tip on this one!
Using Earthgamz I can browse into Fort Collins and check out how the local athletes are doing in Beijing
Mobile App tips - 12seconds, BlueWhale and myGeolog
I've added several cool, new mobile apps to my device in the past day. Here's some details:
myGeolog mobile (Beta 3) - Another fine mobile social networking application. Features:Mobile application has easier menu navigation and menu response (compared to WAP-based services)
- Low costs for sending multimedia content (e.g. photos are significantly cheaper than MMS)
- Convergence between web and mobile phones for better interaction between members
- Geotagging for all photos, videos, and text-based activities (automatically generated for GPS-enabled phones).
Download myGeolog from http://www.mygeolog.com/ or hit this url from your mobile browser www.mygeolog.com/mobile
Got 12 Seconds? You can record and share 12second updates with just about any mobile phone. Just record your video and email or MMS it to the unique email address given to you and you're good to go. A clever way to crunch and share your video clips. See www.12seconds.tv.
And, for you facebook users, BlueWhale is a fine, new app that provides access to your facebook functionality via mobile. Sure, you can already load facebook mobile or update via sms or shozu, however, this app enables you to do even more including: poke your friends, update status, check your wall, email, and more. http://apps.facebook.com/bluewhalemail/ or see http://bluewhalepress.blogspot.com/
myGeolog mobile (Beta 3) - Another fine mobile social networking application. Features:Mobile application has easier menu navigation and menu response (compared to WAP-based services)
- Low costs for sending multimedia content (e.g. photos are significantly cheaper than MMS)
- Convergence between web and mobile phones for better interaction between members
- Geotagging for all photos, videos, and text-based activities (automatically generated for GPS-enabled phones).
Download myGeolog from http://www.mygeolog.com/ or hit this url from your mobile browser www.mygeolog.com/mobile
Got 12 Seconds? You can record and share 12second updates with just about any mobile phone. Just record your video and email or MMS it to the unique email address given to you and you're good to go. A clever way to crunch and share your video clips. See www.12seconds.tv.
And, for you facebook users, BlueWhale is a fine, new app that provides access to your facebook functionality via mobile. Sure, you can already load facebook mobile or update via sms or shozu, however, this app enables you to do even more including: poke your friends, update status, check your wall, email, and more. http://apps.facebook.com/bluewhalemail/ or see http://bluewhalepress.blogspot.com/
August 14, 2008
2008 ESRI User Conference - The Numbers and some notable quotables
Always of interest, the following are some interesting numbers that were mentioned during sessions at the 2008 International ESRI User Conference
And... always fun, the following are some notable tidbits that I overheard or picked up on at the UC - enjoy!
And here's a picture that's worth a thousand words... polar ice cap as see in 1979 (left) compared to 2007... amazing! It's no wonder the polar bear is now on the endangered species list. Image from speech provided by US DOI secretary Dirk Kempthorn
- 14,000+ – attendees at the 2008 EC (I also heard 15,000!)
- 120 countries represented
- 160 – SAG awards handed out
- 35 – years worth of Landsat data archives available for free to public from USGS
- 28 – members in Geospatial advisory committee to the DOI
- 1 – the #1 ArcGIS timesaver new at ArcGIS 9.3 is error reporting
- 30 – up to 30% fuel consumption saved by city of Fort Collins using ArcLogistics for fleet management.
- 100 – ESRI Press has published 100 books
- 90 – ESRI Tech support reports a 90% response time improvement
- 9.4 – ArcGIS 9.4 is as simple as drawing on a map!
- 2.0 - The web 2.0 povides a lightweight simple programming model, simple tools like Javascript, Flex, soap, xml, python
- 3 - 3 new APIs for 9.3 with 150 script samples.. you can see the code and run it. Imagine, view source, copy, use in your own apps.
- 7.1.1 – Streetmap extension data extractor coming at r 7.1.1
And... always fun, the following are some notable tidbits that I overheard or picked up on at the UC - enjoy!
- Does the government get it? Yes they do and they use GIS
- GIS will be a pervasive part of all human action
- ArcGIS is spatializing Adobe PDFs
- This is only the beginning of the geospatial era
- ArcGIS server is increasing the value of imagery
- ArcGIS Explorer is GIS for everyone
- Resources.esri.com – the resource center, use it!
- The role of the GIS pro will be to: Exploit high quality authoritative info and Make it consumable by publishing to the web.
- Author, Serve, Use… that’s the foundation for ArcGIS
- Smashups – simply put, this is using rich services from ArcGIS server in your mashup
And here's a picture that's worth a thousand words... polar ice cap as see in 1979 (left) compared to 2007... amazing! It's no wonder the polar bear is now on the endangered species list. Image from speech provided by US DOI secretary Dirk Kempthorn
August 13, 2008
BlueMarble Geographics Shift Happens and some fun images from last week's ESRI User Conference
A few memorable images from last week's ESRI User Conference. I managed to capture several hundred images at the event (see also the flickr), however, here's a few images of some of my favorite fun things from the week.
My vote for most innovative booth goes to the guys from Digital Data Solutions (DDS), Denver, CO. There's no doubt the booth and all the give-aways were very cleverly thought out... kudos guys! FYI, the crew has just listed an interesting career opportunity for a Senior Account Exec.
It's great to see the job boards being packed with opportunities.. heck, our GISuser Job Board has been rocking all week too with loads of new opportunities!
The plenary session is always one of the most memorable days of the event and this year's was no exception. After listening to Dr Peter Raven it really hit home how rapidly we are altering the environment.
The guys at BlueMarble Geographics have to get the prize for the coolest Shwag at this year's ESRI UC... the "Shift Happens" T was definitely a hit.
There just never seems to be enough time to spend in the map gallery!
Petco Park was one of my favorite places to throw one back!
The Strip Club is one of my favorite stops in the Gaslamp where you grill your own steak (or tuna like I did)
On the map gallery floor I really enjoyed this poster.
After a long night in the Gaslamp I always enjoy strolling past Dick's on the way back to the hotel. you never know who you might meet there late in the evening!
It was nice to be able to pass out several hundred of the new business cards.. hopefully you got one!
My vote for most innovative booth goes to the guys from Digital Data Solutions (DDS), Denver, CO. There's no doubt the booth and all the give-aways were very cleverly thought out... kudos guys! FYI, the crew has just listed an interesting career opportunity for a Senior Account Exec.
It's great to see the job boards being packed with opportunities.. heck, our GISuser Job Board has been rocking all week too with loads of new opportunities!
The plenary session is always one of the most memorable days of the event and this year's was no exception. After listening to Dr Peter Raven it really hit home how rapidly we are altering the environment.
The guys at BlueMarble Geographics have to get the prize for the coolest Shwag at this year's ESRI UC... the "Shift Happens" T was definitely a hit.
There just never seems to be enough time to spend in the map gallery!
Petco Park was one of my favorite places to throw one back!
The Strip Club is one of my favorite stops in the Gaslamp where you grill your own steak (or tuna like I did)
On the map gallery floor I really enjoyed this poster.
After a long night in the Gaslamp I always enjoy strolling past Dick's on the way back to the hotel. you never know who you might meet there late in the evening!
It was nice to be able to pass out several hundred of the new business cards.. hopefully you got one!
2009, the year for transition from ArcIMS to ArcGIS Server
At this year's ESRI UC I definitely felt that ArcGIS Server was the big story. Looks like Steven over at Latitude Geographics agrees via the GeoCortex Blog... and then some. Check out Steven's blog for his take on this year's event - if anyone knows server it's him! I like this quote which sums it up nicely... "I predict 2009 will be remembered as being a significant year in the widespread transition from ArcIMS to ArcGIS Server." Sorry I missed the luncheon Steven but I appreciate the invite!
ESRI GIS in Action Video Contest Winners
Recall ESRI was promoting a contest this year where users were encouraged to submit videos to help explain how they used GIS. ESRI has announced the winners and the videos are now available for viewing... enjoy and kudos to the winners.
Due South by Garrett and Robbi McKinney
Tracing the Trails
Due South by Garrett and Robbi McKinney
Tracing the Trails
Blog Day 2008, August 31
Familiar with BlogDay? I wasn't either until recently when I saw details on Jeff Pulver's Blog. Some details: On August 31st, bloggers are asked to post recommendations of 5 new Blogs, preferably Blogs that are different from their own culture, point of view and attitude. On this day, blog readers will find themselves leaping around and discovering new, unknown Blogs, celebrating the discovery of new people and new bloggers.
BlogDay posting instructions:
1. Find 5 new Blogs that you find interesting
2. Notify the 5 bloggers that you are recommending them as part of BlogDay 2008
3. Write a short description of the Blogs and place a link to the recommended Blogs
4. Post the BlogDay Post (on August 31st) and
5. Add the BlogDay tag using this link:
http://technorati.com/tag/BlogDay2008 and a link to the BlogDay web site at http://www.blogday.org.
Sharing your maps with GeoCommons Maker
Geocommons is coming out with a new component for their GeoCommons Suite called Maker (you may have heard a release date of Aug 18 but it looks like it will be a little later than that.. stay tuned). Essentially, the app boasts that anyone can easily become an expert map maker... and share their maps. The services developed by FortiusOne (www.fortiusone.com) have already been widely used to allow people to create and share their maps and GIS data. The following are just a few things you can see... From Olympics data and Beijing smog reports to Starbucks closing locations, IED attacks in Iraq or locations of terrorist attacks, everyone can understand a map and clearly visualize the information.
As a bit of a teaser, Sean Gorman over at FortiusOne has shared with me a sneak peek at what users will be able to create, share, and experience using Maker. The map below shows Chines Power Plant Carbon Emissions in 2007 - a very impressive map mashup!
China Power Plant Carbon Emissions 2007
As a bit of a teaser, Sean Gorman over at FortiusOne has shared with me a sneak peek at what users will be able to create, share, and experience using Maker. The map below shows Chines Power Plant Carbon Emissions in 2007 - a very impressive map mashup!
China Power Plant Carbon Emissions 2007Guidelines for Digital Elevation Data
A tip... ICSM has released a new publication titled ‘ICSM Guidelines for Digital Elevation Data’. The aim is to provide guidelines and recommendations for acquiring elevation data depicting the earth's surface based. It represent a first cut in the preparation of best practice for Australia and have been prepared as an outcome of a review of existing available material from around Australia and selected countries. It was prepared under the auspices of the National Elevation Data Framework (NEDF) initiative. See http://www.icsm.gov.au/icsm/elevation/index.html
August 12, 2008
Rockin Dewberry with Rock Band
Who knew GISers could jam like this?? I Just found this fun moment from on the floor at the ESRI UC... Dewberry (www.dewberry.com) held a Rock Band competition where users and would-be users could grab an instrument and strutt their stuff. Does anyone know who these guys are?? They were great!
ESRI, i-cubed open the Doors to data via DataDoors for ArcGIS
Developed by i-cubed, the application (DataDoors for ArcGIS) enables GIS users to select, order, and acquire a variety of raster data, available online, for offline usage in their GIS projects. The application gives ArcGIS users access to topographic map data from the National Geographic Society and imagery from a suite of other providers including AeroGRID, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, and SPOT Image. See more here or jump to the service at http://esri.datadoors.net/datadoorsweb
Implementing GIS on the web and ArcGIS smashups
From last week's International ESRI User Conference - A recap of Implementing GIS on the web - In a presentation titled “Implementing GIS on the web”, Clint Brown provided a Tuesday AM wake-up discussion on what’s happening in the web world and what opportunities are being created. Brown reminded us that at Web 2.0, our second generation web tools and organized access to information has proliferated. The term mashups, is relatively new to the web world but old news to the us in the GIS space… we’ve been mashing up data forever! Keep in mind though, the web is the platform to build a mashup world. I enjoyed Clint's reference to GIS mashups as "Smashups".
Interesting [and accurately in my opinion], Brown conveyed how to the web community, and the bloggers, it’s not GIS but rather, it’s web mapping with the citizens as censors providing the content – citizen censors - and in the future everyone will contribute their own content and search will organize it. BUT, users require an authoritative information framework. A framework to:
Understand and exploit observations
Analyze observations.
Visualize what it means
Give observations meaning.
Addressing the geo tech professionals, Brown pointed out how "your role is about building and sharing a framework"... We need a framework, not just a list of layer.” Obviously, what Brown was referring to is the geodatabase (interesting to note, I head several times during the week that we need to move to the geodatabase rather than SHP files. Given the number of times this topic arose, many users are obviously content with layers of information stored as files (SHP) rather than jumping head-first into developing a geodatabase - a direction you are encouraged to move towards.
Recall though that everyone is talking about using Google maps and virtual earth… as a result, user expectations are changing. Most GIS apps will need to support this, particularly as the use expectations have changed. So, making your Geo information consumable on the web is important. Users want and need to build and serve: GIS apps, digital base maps, operational layers, tasks and tools in the GIS applications. As a result there are many application choices to deal with: ArcExplorer, mobile, web map, Javascript/Flex web apps (new at 9.3), or ArGIS desktop.
Brown was quick to point out that programming via the new Javascript API is so simple, “if you know html you can use this”. Ideal for simple implementations, easy to program (you can focus on your content), lightweight. Brown offers up the following tips for the developer:
- Once you chose your application, you design and select your basemap… one map for each scale, each map becomes a group layer in your ArcMap TOC.
- Build on exist framework like ArcGIS online, Google Microsoft, Other GIS depts.
- Be sure of the tiling scheme you select to use… e.g. A Virtual Earth basemap may be using a different coordinate system.
I found it interesting that we seem to be grappling with the same user issues (like various coordinate systems, datums, scales) that we frequently dealt with 10 yeas ago.
As a tip, see also planning a map cache in the ArcGIS online help resource center.
See:
http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisonline-services/index.html
http://resources.esri.com/arcgisserver/apis/flex/
http://resources.esri.com/arcgisserver/apis/javascript/arcgis/
Interesting [and accurately in my opinion], Brown conveyed how to the web community, and the bloggers, it’s not GIS but rather, it’s web mapping with the citizens as censors providing the content – citizen censors - and in the future everyone will contribute their own content and search will organize it. BUT, users require an authoritative information framework. A framework to:
Understand and exploit observations
Analyze observations.
Visualize what it means
Give observations meaning.
Addressing the geo tech professionals, Brown pointed out how "your role is about building and sharing a framework"... We need a framework, not just a list of layer.” Obviously, what Brown was referring to is the geodatabase (interesting to note, I head several times during the week that we need to move to the geodatabase rather than SHP files. Given the number of times this topic arose, many users are obviously content with layers of information stored as files (SHP) rather than jumping head-first into developing a geodatabase - a direction you are encouraged to move towards.
Recall though that everyone is talking about using Google maps and virtual earth… as a result, user expectations are changing. Most GIS apps will need to support this, particularly as the use expectations have changed. So, making your Geo information consumable on the web is important. Users want and need to build and serve: GIS apps, digital base maps, operational layers, tasks and tools in the GIS applications. As a result there are many application choices to deal with: ArcExplorer, mobile, web map, Javascript/Flex web apps (new at 9.3), or ArGIS desktop.
Brown was quick to point out that programming via the new Javascript API is so simple, “if you know html you can use this”. Ideal for simple implementations, easy to program (you can focus on your content), lightweight. Brown offers up the following tips for the developer:
- Once you chose your application, you design and select your basemap… one map for each scale, each map becomes a group layer in your ArcMap TOC.
- Build on exist framework like ArcGIS online, Google Microsoft, Other GIS depts.
- Be sure of the tiling scheme you select to use… e.g. A Virtual Earth basemap may be using a different coordinate system.
I found it interesting that we seem to be grappling with the same user issues (like various coordinate systems, datums, scales) that we frequently dealt with 10 yeas ago.
As a tip, see also planning a map cache in the ArcGIS online help resource center.
See:
http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisonline-services/index.html
http://resources.esri.com/arcgisserver/apis/flex/
http://resources.esri.com/arcgisserver/apis/javascript/arcgis/
August 11, 2008
ArcGIS crashed on stage = Top time saver moment
Video fixed! Always an enjoyable moment at the ESRI User Conference plenary session is John Calkin's Top 10 list... this year it was Calkin's Top 10 ArcGIS Time Savers. Topping the list this year is auto bug report and error reporting to help/fix and report crashes. Below is Calkin's last week in San Diego and a look at exactly how your feedback is used by the software development team. Video has been re-uploaded and embeded using YouTube.. sorry about the Vimeo issue - I won't be using that service again!
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