Monday, April 14th, 2014
Sensing technologies are producing unprecedented amounts of data about the environment and the digital world. The current question is: how can we gain true insight from all the available measurements? Industries are orienting development towards new systems built around higher requirements of performance and scale. Effective storage is an important precondition for big data analytics,
Tuesday, April 1st, 2014
GIS professionals familiar with the National Spatial Data Infrastructure’s seven Framework Data Layers know that these are just the beginning of a multitude of layers and themes compiled to build effective GIS databases. Many states have plans for additional statewide framework layers to supplement the Federal NSDI. California has prioritized eleven. These map-data layers are
Thursday, March 13th, 2014
Traditionally maps were produced using a long and detailed process, which would start at the initial data collection stage and run through to the final creation and printing of a map. However, different map series would often have their own data collection processes. This would mean that small scale maps could be partly derived from
Wednesday, March 5th, 2014
Young people get it. They know where we are heading, and they are excited about what’s on the horizon. I’m not talking about the future in general. I’m actually talking about geospatial technology specifically. Kids intuitively understand the potential for geospatial technology as well as any expert in our industry with 20 or 30
Monday, February 24th, 2014
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have recently become ubiquitous in the mass media and in trade publications, due to a variety of factors that include : international controversy over their military use by the United States against targets in Pakistan; domestic concerns about potential privacy violations; the development of ever cheaper and more capable systems; congressional
Tuesday, February 4th, 2014
The GeoDesign Summit took place from Jan. 27 through 30 in Redlands, Calif. at the Esri headquarters campus with a record audience of more than 300 attendees from 19 countries and 33 states. The movement for geodesign continues to capture interest as the future of practice, with more undergraduate planning and design programs labeled as
Monday, January 13th, 2014
Recent world events that started as technological glitches or dysfunctions have become major objects of debate in politics, geopolitics and the economy. It is useful to consider geotechnology as a tool which enables key players’ strategic decisions based on geospatial knowledge. However, in the unpredictable game of world situations, geotechnology appears as an independent
Monday, December 23rd, 2013
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are advanced robots that will empower many citizens and professionals. In a report published by the McKinsey Global Institute, it is estimated that a potential economic impact of $14 – $33 trillion a year by 2025 from the 12 technologies discussed. One of those technologies is advanced robotics: robots with enhanced
Monday, December 16th, 2013
From the very early days of geographic information systems and allied tools and technology, there have been ongoing questions on the best ways to train practitioners. Geospatial skill development relies on both tools and science, and needs a strong foundation of concepts as well as an understanding of the software and hardware that are used
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013
“Is my property being taxed fairly?” “Are zoning variances being granted in a consistent manner?” “Is my flood insurance rate justified?” These are the types of questions concerned citizens may ask, both in their own interest, and in the interest of maintaining a responsive and equitable democracy. Our democratic system of government is supposed
