I live in Somerville (and I love it), and I really hope that the city planners only use this for demonstration or decoration purposes. This is a very technology forward city that is fairly active in collecting and analyzing data to improve functions and services within the city.
The mayor should open a mapping challenge (similar to what the MBTA has done), releasing the non-sensitive data collected by the city and along with data collected from other organizations. They should then encourage residents and organizations to develop a series of community driven map mash-ups and applications that can be used for anything from neighborhood development, planning purposes, analyzing city ordinances, or finding access to any number of city services.
With the number of mapping and technology gurus in this city I think you would see some awesome results. I know I have a few ideas!
Side note: This would be a great topic/workshop for an Ignite event or a Wherecamp…
I am a big supporter of GIS professionals becoming more technically proficient, keeping their skills relevant to avoid becoming a GIS dinosaurs. One of the easiest ways for GIS pros to stay ahead of the curve is to keep learning and improving their technical skill set.
A new(ish) tool that is making the roundsthroughout the interwebs this week is Codeacademy. They provide free lessons on how to write and understand code, all through their website. I’ve signed up and will be trying it out this weekend.
The current set of courses is for JavaScripting, a language that is very relevant to the GISprofession. Some of my friends and coworkers have signed up and they have had positive reviews so far.
So, GIS professional, who is looking to improve their skill set to impress their boss, here is your chance. Signing up and getting started is easy. Before you know it you’ll get the hang of coding and will be writing your own applications! And the best part…it is FREE!
How did I not know about this blog? Guess what I’ll be reading at work tomorrow! You have to give the NYT credit, they respect the importance of geography in journalism.
This past Wednesday, on the ArcGIS Server Blog, Esri informed the geo-nerd world that their ArcGIS Viewer for Silverlight v1.0 is now available for download to the world. The viewer is essentially a wizard for creating Silverlight based ArcGIS mapping sites with a number of easy to use features.
Side note: They also released a updated version of ArcGIS for SharePoint, but since I don’t use that I’m not going to write about it.
I downloaded the ArcGIS Viewer for Silverlight and gave it a spin. Now, I haven’t built a Silverlight app in a while as I have been focusing my attention on building Javascript applications, you know, because Silverlight is dead (jk, not really).
I had seen demonstrations of the demo version a couple times, but I had never tried it out. Also, I had never used the ArcGIS Viewer for Flex so this was a brand new experience for me.
Here is what I thought:
Installation was pretty quick and I had the application up and running in a couple minutes.
I followed the quick start guide until I got into the application. Once I was in the application I used the guide that was available within the tool. I thought this was a great feature, as it can walk anyone through how to create a mapping application.
Following the in-program guide, I selected my basemap, easily established the “look and feel” of the site and started to add data. I even added a logo and a couple links to the menu bar. This literally took two minutes. Real easy and really fast.
At this point I could have launched the application, but I decided to play around with the layers in the app. For my test application I added a US counties layer, a US states layer and a few thousands points from my company’s ArcGIS Server. I was easily able to set a number of options for the polygon data, including the altering the symbology, the attribute table options, and pop-up info. However, when I was working with the point data the options to configure the attribute table and symbology were not available. Now, I’m sure there is a reason for this and if I had read more the of documentation I’m sure I would have been able to figure it out.
One of the nice features of this application is that the page updates while you are working on it. This is a great feature if you are not a developer or GIS expert and you just want to get a map to the web.
Once I was happy with my test page I simply clicked the deploy button and the application was launched on my local machine. I sent the link to a couple coworkers and they were able to view the map and data and asked how they could create their own mapping apps. They thought the ArcGIS Silverlight Viewer was super awesome.
Two Minutes, Pretty Easy
All this took about 12 minutes while I was waiting for a geoprocessing task to complete. I didn’t even scratch the surface of the options available in the application. When I get a few more minutes I’ll test out other features including adding tools and geoprocessing tasks, data from ArcGIS online, and working with the layout and display options.
Traditionally I have written the code for these types of applications, which at times can be cumbersome, especially if you are managing a variety of sites. If a user needs a quick, light weight, Silverlight mapping app and has access to well developed ArcGIS Server I would recommend this tool.
That was easy... Is this a SOPA violation?
I have to say that using tool was refreshing, especially after a couple of tough GIS software days. You know what I am talking about.
Good work Esri! When does the ArcGIS Viewer for JavaScript with HTML5 support come out?
Some of the most popular pages on GISDoctor.com (shameless self-plug) are those that provide examples of how to read WMS data into Google Map applications from a number of sources including ArcGIS Server, OpenLayers, and MapServer. People take the code from these pages, embed the scripts into their own applications, make some modifications, and publish their own mash-ups. I think this is awesome and I encourage it on the pages themselves. I’ve seen a few good applications of this code and I hope more come in the future.
However, I need you, the mash-up artist, to make sure you do one little thing when copying the code into your own applications. Do not copy the Google Analytics code into your own page. This is the last two blocks of script at the end of each page. To aid the user I have included a comment to remind them to not to include the Google Analytics script in their application.
Thanks!
A few times a week I notice pages that have used the code from GISDoctor.com (second plug of the post) that still include my Google Analytics information. Most of the time the user will eventually remove the code or embed their own tracking info, but there are hold-outs. I’m talking about you, person in Spain.
With GISDoctor.com entering its second year in a blog format I have some plans for the site that will hopefully keep readers interested and bring in new readers. Here is what I am planning for 2012!
Spatial Analysis – As a geographer by training, and professional geographer by occupation, I do a lot of spatial analysis and spatial statistics. I will be developing a series of spatial analysis and spatial statistics posts over the year. I will start with the basics and move into more complicated subjects. Like the Intro to Spatial SQL guides, I will include test data and examples. The tutorials will be targeted towards the geographer and GIS user, as that is my area of expertise. I really want to focus this site towards the technical GIS professional and technical geographer during 2012. Too many GIS blogs review the news (including this blog). I want GISDoctor.com to become a technical resource for people who have questions like I do.
Spatial SQL – During January and February I will be adding some more posts on Spatial SQL and its use in geographical analysis. I will be adding another series of more technical Spatial SQL how-to guides later in the year.
Online Mapping – I will hopefully add a few how-to guides on developing map-mash ups using a variety of APIs. I’m interested in learning more about Bing Maps as well as Open Layers and Map Server. I hope to get a few examples out sometime this spring.
Software Reviews – In 2012 ArcGIS 10.1 will be released (Hooray! or shucks. It depends on your point of view). I’ll post a detailed review a few weeks after I get to use the software intensely. Also, when I get SQL Server 2012 (Denali) I’ll review the improved spatial components.
Conference Reviews – I’ll make sure to review the 2012 Esri UC and any other conferences I make it to.
Finally, when applicable to the readers of this site, I’ll post news stories and items that I find interesting.
I’m sure there will be a number of other topics that I write about. So make sure you subscribe to the feed to get the latest updates.
Thanks for being a reader. The site has done a lot better than I could have imagined and I hope 2012 goes just as well.
With this past weekend’s major winter storm that rolled through parts of New England many communities are without power. CL&P has released an outage map that is updated every 30 minutes. This is a great tool…if you have power to view it.
Here is the latest outage map as of 10:30pm on 10/31/2011:
Click for Full Size
It’s amazing to see the number of towns that have no power…
Update – National Grid, a major electric provider for my current state of residence, Massachusetts, also has an online outage map up and running. The outage mapping site from CL&P is much easier to use.
It is an exciting time for the spatial crowd in Boston! WhereCamp Boston is this weekend and you need to sign-up now!
WhereCamp is an “unconference“, meaning that the people who come are the ones who drive the sessions. Attendees plan the sessions, workshops, and panels through the WhereCamp Wiki or during the conference itself. On the registration page many people are stating their interest in open source GIS, web mapping, and “what’s next”.
If you are going (and you really should) consider participating in the wiki and post your session idea! I’ve been working on a number of really interesting projects lately and I am hoping to bring some of my ideas and challenges to the unconference. Here is what I am interested in learning more about this weekend:
How to scientifically validate VGI and developing tools and methods to do so
Learning more about open source GIS, and more specifically, the growing body of analytical tools that are both well built and scientifically strong
The art of the spatial index
Aggregating VGI from web sources
Big data
Web map design best practices
As a “traditional” GIS guy I am also really interested in how the “non-traditional” spatial folks view “spatial”. I am interested to learn about what their needs and challenges are and share ideas with them. I look forward to brainstorming ideas with those who may see spatial problems from a different perspective than myself. Sometimes the best ideas to solve a problem may come from those who see things differently than you. That’s why I am pumped for this weekend.
The event is being held at Microsoft NERD in Cambridge, located in the techiest tech neighborhood in America! The locations is a short walk away from the Kendall T stop and don’t worry, you’ll be able to get there.
The organizers have worked hard to put this together and the least we can do is show up and make this event great!
Where: Microsoft NERD When: October 29 and 30th Who: Anyone spatial Why: Every spatial nerd from the greater Boston region will be there!
October is a busy time for spatial unconferences and meet-ups in the Boston area!
The folks at ISpatialBoston are hard at work organizing Boston’s first WhereCamp, which will be taking place October 29th and 30th at the Microsoft NERD office in Cambridge’s technology hub, Kendall Square . WhereCamp is an “unconference“, meaning that the attendees develop sessions based on what they are interested in. They have three keynote speakers lined-up and I’m sure there will be many interesting sessions that develop over the course of the weekend. Registration is open and it’s not too expensive. If you are in the area and are interested in “spatial” check out WhereCamp Boston. I’m looking forward to my first unconference. I can imagine that there will be a lot of open-source and crowdsourcing talk. I’m interested in finding out more on how to, if possible, validate crowd-sourced data in relation to the impacts of natural catastrophes.
The other upcoming spatial gathering is Esri’s Boston DevMeet-Up taking place on October 20th. The location is TBD, but last year’s Boston meet-up had about 50 to 60 people show-up and there were a few good talks. I even won an EDN license! The Esri DevMeet-Ups bring together Esri geospatial developers in an informal setting to talk shop. It is also a good time to meet other geospatial developers and pick their brains!
Unlike the weekend long WhereCamp, the Boston Esri DevMeet-Up is only for a couple hours on a weeknight where Esri provides the food and drinks. I hope there are some good talks. I’d be interested to see some code examples or talks about HTML5 integration, web-based spatial analytics, or interactive visualization methodologies for very large datasets.
Again, if you are in the area, check out these non-traditional spatial meetings. I know there are a ton of geospatial folks who can take public transit to these events. Hope to see all the locals there!
Hurricane Irene is upon us here in Boston. Thankfully, I prepared yesterday so I can spend some time this morning blogging during hurricane (or tropical storm)! Also, I’d like to get this blog out before we lose power, since Boston is on the windy side of the storm.
Now, geographers and GIS pros are all over this storm. Unlike the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which had a ton of reactionary GIS development, hurricanes provide the opportunity to develop datasets, applications, and analysis before the storm arrives. There are a number of great applications and datasets that have been generated in the past four days, with many more to come over the next several days.
MSNBC hurricane tracker – Built by Stamen. Great information, and a great look, but no data downloads. Open the data!
Esri – The Worldwide Leader has a pretty nice mapping application (as they should) tracking the storm. They have a number of social media links, which will be great to view for damage and impact information after the storm.
CNN – Old school, like 1998. CNN, get with it and build a better mapping application.
Yahoo and ABC are both displaying a mash-up of the storm that appears to be developed by the AP. The application has a number of different tabs with information related to the storm.
GIS Data Sources: What you are really here for.
NOAA -A number of technical data sets are available and have been updated throughout the storm. Click on a map and look for the “Download GIS Data” option. Shapefiles are available and a number of Google based mash-ups are included. The NOAA site may not be as flashy as others but the data available is very valuable.
Weather Underground – This site has gotten a lot of press this week as the storm has approached Megalopolis. They have a number of tools and data sets available including a slick tracking mash-up, and number off data sets which are not necessarily GIS ready, but GIS-“able”.
Esri – Yes, Esri is on this storm. Earlier this week they published a site with a number of data links to GIS Web Services, data providers, and scientific data sources.
What’s next? As the storm passes and people are able to survey the damage you will start to see impact analysis data sets, loss estimation maps, and analysis on the storm itself including better measurements of rainfall, windspeed and the track of the storm. Once that data starts to roll out I’ll update the page with some more links to data.
Good luck, stay safe, and stay dry northeasterners! These storms are nothing to mess with. Take them seriously!
