How Are Surveyors Impacted By Changing Geospatial Technology?
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- 23 July 2011 | By Jeff Thurston | 2671
Innovations in technology development are altering the ability to capture, manage, model and represent surveying data today. The fact is, surveyors operate under different regulations, perspectives and domains globally. Moreover, there are differences between companies that offer surveying services with some following traditional domain approaches, while others venture across disciplines and successfully engage new multi-disciplinary capabilities, often contributing in new and exciting ways.
What is the potential for self-service GIS?
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- 15 July 2011 | By Matt Ball | 2752
The concept of self-service GIS software has been elusive to date due to the increasing capability and complexity of the software toolset, the IT overhead for configuration and maintenance, and the need for training and skill acquisition in order to feel comfortable driving the software. While these constraints are certainly still a factor, the amount of functionality in easy-to-use tools has increased dramatically of late, and will continue down this path of robust functionality in accessible forms.
Are Surveyors, Designers, Educators and Other Geospatial Users on the Verge of a New 3D glass-free Era?
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- 08 July 2011 | By Jeff Thurston | 2028
Three-dimensional viewing is advancing with the development of glass-free, 3D visualization. Mobile phones and televisions are now equipped with the technology and it won't be long until we see 3D in mainstream geospatial applications. This innovation will expand across many disciplines including surveying, GIS, CAD and visualisation applications. In doing so, the nature of how we think about spatial information and problems is about to take a revolutionary leap forward. From data capture through to collaboration, field to office, the world of 3D will create a wave of innovation and possibilities.
Can land use planning and development occur without lying?
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- 01 July 2011 | By Matt Ball | 1945
Mark Monmonier’s book “How to Lie with Maps,” is a perennial favorite within the mapping community, not because it’s a tutorial for deception, but because it brings to light the inherent bias in most mapping efforts. As with most communication mediums, those in power control the message in the map, and can manipulate outcomes.
How Are Geospatial Technologies Impacting the Agriculture Industry?
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- 25 June 2011 | By Jeff Thurston | 2566
World population is poised to expand to 8.3 billion by 2030. An extra one billion tonnes of cereals will be needed by that time - in comparison to total 2011 world production of 2.3 billion tonnes. Water systems are currently under stress from numerous factors and urbanization is depleting the presence of the most productive lands suitable for agriculture. Geospatial technologies have a role to play through contributing toward an increase in the level of food production, and that role is multi-disciplinary.